2. Sarah Santacroce
Simplicity Admin Solutions
www.simplicityadmins.com
sarah@simplicityadmins.com
022 534 9294 (EU), 714 656 2324 (US)
Let us simplify your workday!
Page | 2
Did you know that e-mail is still the number 1 sharing method for content? After Facebook and
after Twitter? Think about it… Do you know a person who does not have an e-mail account
(Grandparents don’t count). Not likely… Do you know a person who still resists Facebook and
Twitter? I know quite a few and I’m sure you do too!
That’s why Email newsletters are still an essential part of an effective Online Marketing
Strategy. Newsletters are a good way of building relationships with your existing customers and
network. They are very targeted and effective and with the available tools also very
measurable. But let’s look at what other benefits a well prepared newsletter has to offer:
Newsletter Benefits
It creates trust
Receiving a regular Ezine (which is another word for Newsletter) creates a feeling of trust in
your customers. They feel like they know you a little bit more with each edition and when the
moment comes, where they need the services or products that you have to offer, they will
think of you first.
It shows your expertise
If choosing the content of your newsletter wisely, you can demonstrate your expertise in your
area of activity. So don’t just try to sell your product, act as an expert, give advice and consult
your readers.
It offers continuity
Compared to other marketing channels, a newsletter offers continuity. Your subscribers know
that they will hear from you every week, month or quarter. They will start to look forward to
your e-mail.
It increases referrals
Every newsletter should have a “Share with a friend” button at the bottom. This way the
subscriber can forward your e-mail to someone else who he thinks might be interested in your
news.
It increases traffic to your website
I mentioned before that the point is not to just sell in your e-mail, but every once in a while it’s
ok to slip in a special offer, coupon or just feature one of your bestselling products or services.
3. Sarah Santacroce
Simplicity Admin Solutions
www.simplicityadmins.com
sarah@simplicityadmins.com
022 534 9294 (EU), 714 656 2324 (US)
Let us simplify your workday!
Page | 3
And by default the footer of your letter will contain a link to your website, so chances are that
your traffic will increase.
It increases sales
Let’s be honest here: we are not just writing newsletters because we are nice people and want
to help the rest of the world. In the end our main goal is still to increase our sales. And this will
happen if you apply all the above suggestions :-)
Which tools are available?
The truth is there are lots of E-Mail Marketing tools on the market. But some of them are
better than others. Below are my picks for small businesses.
Mailchimp
Free Forever Plan for 1’000 subscribers
Unlimited e-mails sent
Cost per month: 15$
Recommended for: Small businesses with limited ecommerce needs
Special Feature: Can upload existing list
Little extra: very funny interface
If you have a pre-existing list that you want to import, you will either have to choose Mailchimp
or Constant Contact. However, since your readers have not actually subscribed to your
newsletter, I would mention this in your first mailing and give them the option to unsubscribe
in the first paragraph.
4. Sarah Santacroce
Simplicity Admin Solutions
www.simplicityadmins.com
sarah@simplicityadmins.com
022 534 9294 (EU), 714 656 2324 (US)
Let us simplify your workday!
Page | 4
Aweber
1$ for first month
Unlimited e-mails sent
Cost per month: 19$
Very complex reports
Special feature: Blog integration
Little extra: great customer service, very good videos
Constant Contact
60 days for free
unlimited e-mails sent
Cost per month: 15$
Special Feature: Can upload existing list
limited reporting features
Personally I have never used Constant Contact yet. But according to other reviews I have read,
it is very easy to use. However their reporting features are not as advanced yet as the ones I
know from Mailchimp and AWeber.
To summarize:
If you are a small business owner who tries e-mail marketing for the very first time I would
recommend you try the free version of Mailchimp. If however you think you will rapidly reach
1’000 subscribers and then also need more advanced reporting features, I suggest you take a
pick between AWeber and Constant Contact, AWeber definitely being more complex.
5. Sarah Santacroce
Simplicity Admin Solutions
www.simplicityadmins.com
sarah@simplicityadmins.com
022 534 9294 (EU), 714 656 2324 (US)
Let us simplify your workday!
Page | 5
Valuable Tips
Ask for feedback
Since the success of your newsletter is entirely in your audience’s hand; don’t forget to ask
them for feedback. You can ask if there is a specific topic they would like you to cover in the
next edition, you can simply ask them what they think about a tool, product or service you are
using (and have them post their comments on your FB wall) or you could add a poll and discuss
the results in the following edition. Whatever you do, involve your readers!
Promote your newsletter
There are two moments to promote your ezine: before you send it and after.
Before you want to make sure that you have a pretty sign-up form on your website, your blog
and your FB page. This way people will be added to your list.
After don’t forget to use Social Media to let your network know that you have just sent out a
newsletter. Tweet about it, post it on your FB wall, tell your Linkedin friends, add a link to your
e-mail signature, refer to it on your Skype status.
Archive previous newsletters on your website
If you sign up for a magazine or a newspaper you usually want to look at a couple of their
editions before you commit, right? The same goes for newsletters. People like to get an idea of
what you are writing about, that’s why it’s good to give them that option – on your website.
Create a specific page which explains the benefits and content of your newsletter. Below the
sign-up form you should have links to your archive of previous editions, so they can browse
through them before trusting you with their e-mail. This is also beneficial from an SEO (Search
Engine Optimization) point of view. The search engine spiders love regularly updated content
on your site and will therefore come visit more often!
Measures your success
Don’t forget to measure the success of your newsletter. The online tools which we discussed
earlier come with handy reports. You can see how many e-mails have been sent, how many
have been opened and how many people have clicked on your links.
6. Sarah Santacroce
Simplicity Admin Solutions
www.simplicityadmins.com
sarah@simplicityadmins.com
022 534 9294 (EU), 714 656 2324 (US)
Let us simplify your workday!
Page | 6
Treat your “unsubscribers” well
You will also 3be able to track your “unsubscribers”. If they leave you a comment on why they
unsubscribe, I think it’s a good habit to write them a short e-mail. Say that you are sorry to see
them leave, answer their comment and learn from their feedback. Remember that 1 unhappy
customer used to tell 3 others – nowadays with Social Media he might tell 3 Million.
If you would like to start exploring this marketing technique but don't know where to start,
send me an e-mail to sarah@simplicityadmins.com. I’d be happy to help you.
Let’s connect:
***
Swiss national, Sarah Santacroce runs Simplicity Admin Solutions, a virtual assistance business
working with small businesses and individual entrepreneurs to help them dedicate their
precious time to their core business. Simplicity Admin Solutions offers tailor made virtual
administrative solutions, Internet marketing support, translation service and much more at
http://www.simplicityadmins.com. All services are available in English, German and French.
