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How do I start an email marketing service

by LifeBizBalance
14 replies
Hi there!
I'm considering putting an ad up on Craigslist offering an email marketing service to small businesses that already have websites.

My service would consist of:
  • Creating a subscription form
  • Managing their email process (picking a vendor, sending out emails, analyzing reports)
  • Creating a free report their subscribers can download
  • Helping them with any email marketing queries that they have
  • Writing email copy
Does this sound viable? Hoping to get some good feedback. Am I offering too many services? Or is this even something small business owners want?

Thanks!
Temmy
#email #marketing #service #start
  • Profile picture of the author kebertt
    What would make you different than the 100's of other email marketing services that are available to these business owners?
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    Digital Booked - Appointment Setting Services for Web Designers
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  • Profile picture of the author LifeBizBalance
    Hi
    Thanks for responding. For one thing, no one is doing it in my city. For another, combining all these services, instead of focusing on just one might add a value added service. Not afraid of competition, because I know I can niche my services to a particular market, if need be. Want to be sure it's a good idea to get started with.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Doing this local like you plan I think could work well. I have no done it myself and would love to also hear some tips from someone who has. Like which service they used. And was the email account in their name or their clients (aka one account or multiple). Seems like running it like PPC would work where they pay you for management and pay the account.
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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    • Profile picture of the author shane_k
      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      Doing this local like you plan I think could work well. I have no done it myself and would love to also hear some tips from someone who has. Like which service they used. And was the email account in their name or their clients (aka one account or multiple). Seems like running it like PPC would work where they pay you for management and pay the account.

      When I first started I used my own account, but I found that it is alot easier to just create new accounts for each business and have the account in their name (but I have access)

      The reason I prefer it this way is, if they decide they want to move on their own and no longer want my services the account is there for them. And I don't have to export or transfer their email list. I just give them the account information and they have access to it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Climb Online
    I would make a nice infograph outlining your service and the benefit to the business owner (ie. more $$ in their pocket) and a price.

    Go door to door for a few days and introduce yourself and your business. If they like it and buy, congrats your hard work paid off.

    If they hate it and it bombs, congrats, you failed quick, cheap and can move onto your next project.
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    "It is your choice of message that targets the customer, not your choice of media. There are rare exceptions, of course. But not many."
    - Roy H. Williams

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  • Profile picture of the author Gary Pettit
    Craigslist can be awesome for a service such as yours. You might want to take a look at my free software below as one option...works great for stuff like this
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  • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
    I "include" this service in my top small business marketing package. I've never tried to sell it as a stand alone service because the amount of work will differ from each client. One client may want 1 newsletter sent out per month, while others may want more agressive list building. Either way, charge accordingly & don't work cheap.
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    "One of the Most Successful Offline WSO's Ever!
    Get More High $$$ Clients with this Small Business Marketing PLR Magazine
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  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi there,

    I think your best test would be to go to local networking and business meetings and use their 5-minute opportunity to pitch your service. If you have business owners coming up to you after you've don't your pitch then you know you have something of interest.

    Since you're going local, you're going to want to get out there and meet the locals and hear what they need.

    All the best,

    Sasha.
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    • Profile picture of the author ronr
      It might work however I'll be most local businesses don't really understand email marketing so they aren't probably looking for it. Thre's only one way to find out, try it.

      Ron
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  • Profile picture of the author pa1968
    Originally Posted by LifeBizBalance View Post

    Hi there!
    I'm considering putting an ad up on Craigslist offering an email marketing service to small businesses that already have websites.

    My service would consist of:
    • Creating a subscription form
    • Managing their email process (picking a vendor, sending out emails, analyzing reports)
    • Creating a free report their subscribers can download
    • Helping them with any email marketing queries that they have
    • Writing email copy
    Does this sound viable? Hoping to get some good feedback. Am I offering too many services? Or is this even something small business owners want?

    Thanks!
    Temmy


    Yeah I think that is a good formula to promote. You can also include creating a fan page for them and marketing their business there and integrate their facebook with their email list. A big part of what businesses will need is to have good email copy, use of an email platform and being consistent with sending emails. I suggest if you set this up to use an outside email platform like AWeber or GetResponse. They work great and are easy to use and set up.
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  • Profile picture of the author bsummers
    Do local marketing. If you are targeting local prospects, try to network in your area. Also, do not forget to create an online presence. It is a misconception that because you are only targeting within your area you do not need online presence.
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    Need help in LEADS for your business? Ask me on how to generate qualified and targeted leads from appointment setting and lead generation campaigns through calling, social media and email marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author pingsters
    Banned
    Sound's like a good idea. You can post ads on craigslist to market this services. or you can do some contact us form marketing to generate leads.

    local business with established website gonna love your services.

    This is something that every one need to get help with.
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  • Profile picture of the author abozeb
    Originally Posted by LifeBizBalance View Post

    Hi there!
    I'm considering putting an ad up on Craigslist offering an email marketing service to small businesses that already have websites.

    My service would consist of:
    • Creating a subscription form
    • Managing their email process (picking a vendor, sending out emails, analyzing reports)
    • Creating a free report their subscribers can download
    • Helping them with any email marketing queries that they have
    • Writing email copy
    Does this sound viable? Hoping to get some good feedback. Am I offering too many services? Or is this even something small business owners want?

    Thanks!
    Temmy
    Any updates?
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  • Profile picture of the author shane_k
    Originally Posted by LifeBizBalance View Post

    Hi there!
    I'm considering putting an ad up on Craigslist offering an email marketing service to small businesses that already have websites.

    My service would consist of:
    • Creating a subscription form
    • Managing their email process (picking a vendor, sending out emails, analyzing reports)
    • Creating a free report their subscribers can download
    • Helping them with any email marketing queries that they have
    • Writing email copy
    Does this sound viable? Hoping to get some good feedback. Am I offering too many services? Or is this even something small business owners want?

    Thanks!
    Temmy
    This is definately a viable strategy.

    What you can do is charge them a setup fee for the first point you mentioned.

    And then the rest of the points you mentioned can be a part of a monthly package that you offer them.

    Depending on the business you can charge $500 - $1,500 or even more for the setup and $500 - $1,500/month for the monthly package.

    If you want some really great advice on this check out these two ebooks "Offline Gold for Online Marketers" and "offline Store Front Online Gold" bot by David Cavanagh who is actually a member of this forum.

    If you search for his name look in his sig line and you see links to his books.
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