The Art of Sending Newsletters that Matter (when Wellness is your Business)
No one wants an inbox filled with junk yet we receive it from trusted businesses and organizations all the time. From one-day-only discounts and free shipping to national donut day offers, we’re inundated with messages directing us to do this, buy that and be better with just the click of a button. So, how do the people who work in health and wellness use those same tools to reach their customers without doing the same? Here are a few ways we’ve found email marketing works best for entrepreneurs and small business owners who run their own wellness practices--whether it’s massage, chiropractic work, personal training or health coaching.
Tips to Help You Authentically Communicate with your Customers (without making them gouge their eyes out and dramatically hit 'Delete')
Find your Groove. Think about how many emails you want to receive from a local company you support and try that schedule on for size. If a short and sweet email once a week feels appropriate, try once a week, if twice a month is more your speed, give that a go. Consistency is key so you’ll need to pick dates and stick to them so your supporters know when to expect communication from you and look forward to it rather than dread that weekly ping and move your message to the trash.
Create valuable content in addition to your sell. Every company or organization needs to promote their business in order to sell their product or service. People also are curious to learn more about who you are, what you care about, and how what you do can be integrated into their life. Don’t just email the offer, send content they’ll find helpful to them (the same as you would receiving that email. If that feels daunting, that’s an area where we can help. It's why we created Content Corner as a service. If you feel comfortable writing and sourcing interesting and relevant information, then check out MyNewsletterBuilder instead as a way to organize your templates, schedule and send your businesses newsletters.
Segment your List. Your clients are likely local yet perhaps you sell something that can be purchased nationally--candles, handmade notecards, or a self-care zine. That’s wonderful. That also means your email list is made up of both of those types of customers. Your local customers may want to know about an opening in your schedule whereas your national clients could care less as they don’t live close by. You’ll want to segment those two groups of people into two separate lists so that you can create emails that are for your loyal locals and craft others that are for everyone. The more authentic you’re able to be in how you communicate and what you share, the better!
10 Ways To Get More Facebook Fans
Maybe you’ve just started a Facebook business page and want to get your very first fans. Or perhaps you’ve had a page for a long time, and are ready to create an even stronger audience. Whatever stage you’re at, these ten points are the best basic ways to get more fans, so don’t miss a single one!
1. Invite your Facebook friends
While this seems like an obvious first step, and maybe you’ve invited your friends before, but you’ve probably accumulated quite a few new friends that haven’t been invited since then. Go ahead and invite your friends again
Be discerning. Don’t invite everyone. If you’re a local business, only invite local friends that can get value out of your page. Really think about who might enjoy your business and content. It’s not about how many people like your page, it’s truly about connecting with the right community of people who will engage with your business.
2. Share your new page and it's content on your profile
Click that share button and share your page on your profile - and don't forget to share your page posts with your friends sometimes. Not too much! Maybe once a week, share something from your business page to your profile. It's helps others who are interested find your page.
“It’s not about how many people like your page, it’s truly about connecting with the right community of people who will engage with your business.”
3. Share on your other social media accounts
If you happen to have a Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest account, be sure to change your link in your profile from your business website to your FB page url for a while. Leaving it there for a couple months can definitely increase your FB page visibility and your likes.
4. Upload your newsletter email list so Facebook can suggest your page to them
Do you send out newsletters to an email list? If so, jump on over to your newsletter service (we recommend MyNewsletterBuilder & Content Corner), export your email list (you can usually download it in an spreadsheet with just the click of a button), and upload it into FB. Facebook will take care of the rest by suggesting your page to accounts created with those emails.
5. Add a FB icon or like box prominently on your website
Having a FB icon on your website is a must. You can simply Google ‘Facebook Icon Free’ and you’ll find unlimited icons in different styles and colors. You can go with the standard blue one, or have one that matches your brand colors. Make it sure it's somewhere prominent and visable on your homepage.
6. Include your Facebook page in your newsletters
Definitely add a FB icon that leads to your FB page in your newsletter, so that every time you are sending out a newsletter, you are also giving your subscribers the opportunity to like your page.
In addition to that, if you’re just beginning Facebook or if you’ve never mentioned it before, it would be helpful for you to write a short blurb in your newsletter, letting your subscribers know that you’re now on Facebook and providing the link for them to join you there.
7. Add your Facebook page to your email signature
Everyone you know should have an equal opportunity to like your FB page - which is why putting it in your email signature is a great idea. Once it’s there you never have to think about it - you’re now effortlessly promoting your page every time you send an email. You can add a simple link or you may choose to add an icon that links to your page - just make sure it's there.
8. Reach out to all past clients and customers and/or business associates
Having a new/new-ish business page is a great reason to write your old clients, customers or business associates and let them know they can find you there. This can be done quickly with a mass email, just make sure to 'BCC' everyone and hide their emails from the rest of the list. You may even re-connect with someone who not only likes your page, but needs your products and services right away.
“In the end, it’s all about people sharing and recommending you to their friends. Just ask a few friends if they would mind sharing your page; remember, a page recommended by a friend is more likely to be liked by their friends, based on personal trust.”
9. Add it to your profile About section
On your profile, edit your workplace in your About section and when you type in your ‘workplace’ name (your page name), it should bring up your business page. Click that as your workplace, and it will put it as a link which shows up for all to see.
This is very important. You want everyone who lands on your profile to see the link to your business. It’s especially important if you post in groups to build your business. When someone hovers over your profile pic, they can see your business and go like your page, without having to connect as a friend if they don't know you personally.
10. Ask your friends to share your page
In the end, it’s all about people sharing and recommending you to their friends. Just ask a few friends if they would mind sharing your page; remember, a page recommended by a friend is more likely to be liked by their friends, based on personal trust.
And there you have it - that should keep you busy for a couple of days!