Company Newsletters

Company Newsletters - Are you thinking about starting a customer newsletter? If done well, newsletters are a great way to touch your customers and potential customers. Over time, your newsletter builds credibility. It helps create a sense of familiarity with your organization.n nThe following tips apply equally well to printed or electronic newsletters.n nCustomer Focused Communicationnn Think about your customer's issues, questions and interests. Focus on information is interesting or relevant to them! As you develop content you may discover the most interesting thing you have to say, ahs nothing to do with you, your organization, or your team.n nSometimes the most valuable thing you can provide potential customers is general information which demonstrates your overall knowledge or position as a business resource.

For a fitness instructor, sending information on healthy lifestyles willncreate a reason for your audience to read your publication. Marketing tips from an advertising agency, or color trends from an interior designer position the firms as organizations on the leading edge of their respective industries.

What do you know that will be relevant to your clients?

Special OffersnnOnce you get the reader's attention with something valuable, you have earned the right to make a special offer or provide a coupon that is only available from your newsletter. If you make this a regular sections, interested consumers will look forward to reading your publication.n nCreate a sense of urgency with short-term offers or coupons with an expiration date. The "use it or lose it" approach is more likely to make the phone ring, today.nn If you do include offers, be sure to track the results. The coupon redemption will give you insight into who is actually reading the newsletter, and provide a great test of different offers. The ones which generate response are worth repeating .Over time you will be able to modifynyour offer to maximize the number of calls you receive from serious, potential customers.

Introduce Your Companyn nNewsletters are an ideal venue to help potential clients get to know the people behind the brand. Consider a short feature on one of your employees each issue.n nMake your stories personal so customers learn what separates you from your competitors. Do you sponsor the local soccer team? Are your employees involved in the community? What are the values driving your business?

Invite User Generated ContentnnThe new buzz word on the net is "user generated content" (UGC). In reality, newspapers with their letters to the editor have been inserting UGC for years. You can do the same thing, with surveys, and requests for suggestions. Your readers will look for your next issue with anticipation to see if their comments are included.

Getting Startednn Your newsletters don't have to be long. Limit it to 2-4 articles for a printed document, 350 words for an electronic one. Remember this is not a one shot program. You will tell your story over a series of issues.

There are many on-line tools which simplify the process of creating and distributing your newsletter, whether you use electronic or printed versions. The trick is to get started, and have a plan to continue providing content on a regular basis.n