What’s Your E-Mail Marketing Strategy?

You’ve decided to take the plunge and finally kick-off an e-mail marketing campaign.  Starting it is the hardest part.  Especially since it’s your first campaign and your not really sure how to go about it.  You may flirt with sending an email to your contact list with an attachment…if you are PLEASE DON’T HIT SEND!  That is email and brand suicide!

If you are going to take the time to educate your clients, prospects and audience, take the time to make it look professional and make it easy for your reader, not yourself.  Remember, whatever you put out on the internet and whatever other vehicles you use to advertise your business…it all reflects your brand.  You only have 1 opportunity to make a first impression.

Here are some steps you can apply to ensure your email marketing campaign is optimized for the best branding results, best readability, and the best way to engage your audience:

Step 1 – Email Marketing Provider:

• There are many inexpensive options available on the internet for designing and maintaining email programs
• Many offer the capabilities of contact database management, polls, stock images and so much more!
  
• Many have free trials
• I recommend that you test drive a couple to see which is the most compatible for you and your business
• A couple for you to check out are :  www.icontact.com and www.constantcontact.com

Step 2 -The DO’s and DON’Ts of Design:  Once you have selected an email marketing program, it’s time to design your email newsletter

• Do match the template design to your industry, topic and brand
• Do go for simple, easy to read and eye catching formats
• Do use images complimenting your topic, brand or product
• Do use a clean and crisp template or design
• Don’t try to be too fancy – the object is to get your message heard!

Step 3:  Content is Key!

• Before writing your email newsletter have a plan
• Determine what your topic will be – be specific and stay focused
• Make your content high quality and useful information for your readers
  
• Don’t try to send all your messages out in one edition – save some topics and messages for upcoming newsletters
  
• Consider creating several ’snippet’ type sections used to back up your main topic.  For example, you’re newsletter may include the following:
• Section A -  Introduction/Greeting announcing what the focus of the newsletter will be – INCLUDE A CALL TO ACTION!  (click here to buy…, call now for…)
  
• Section B – An in depth look at the topic
• Section C – Positive testimonials regarding the topic
• Section D – Any promotions or current offers available
• Section E – Closing with a sneak peak of what can be expected in the next issue
• When writing to your audience, try not to overwhelm them with too much, non-essential information
• Whenever possible, opt for bullet point forms of communication
• People are busy and are bombarded with tons of email – something that is easy to read with loaded with valuable info is more likely to be read and even passed on (viral marketing)

Take some time today and research email based marketing websites, collect email addresses, and draft an outline of your first newsletter.

Stay tuned to learn how to get your readers attention and keep them engaged!

Specialize in…Something

If you are thinking about working from home and becoming a Virtual Assistant…my advice to you is “Specialize in Something”. 

You are excellent at certain things and have expertise and knowledge that you can leverage into a career opportunity.  Think about what those things are, find your niche, then tell the world about it.  Is your specialty in:

• Writing
• Editing
• PR
• Customer Service
• Telemarketing
• Blogging
• Brand Development
• Training and Development
• Organization

Identify it, own it and market it!

Good luck!

More on Gas

I work in Wisconsin, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Ohio, Texas, and Oregon without even leaving my house!  Who can afford to these days?!?

I love working from home.  I have a designated area in my house that I retreat to during working hours.  It’s very comfortable, lots of light and quiet.  I have never met most of my clients face to face.  We talk a lot on the phone and email is our primary source of communication.  It works out so well and we get a lot accomplished. 

I get great satisfaction from watching their businesses grow and dabbling in various different industries.  What fun!  The best part, my commute!  No gas involved here!

What type of work can I possibly do from home?  Lots! 

• Blogging for corporate America ;o)
• Product development
• E-books
• PR
• Newsletters
• Pay Per Click Campaigns
• Research
• Article writing

These are areas where small businesses really need to excel but don’t have the time or expertise to do so.  Offering small businesses an affordable solution is how I help their bottom line!

xo

Lora

Gas Prices Ouch!

Small business owners from all over are feeling the prices of gas both directly and indirectly.  If you work outside your home you are paying at the pump as you head out to work in the morning.  Then add the fuel surcharge most suppliers are adding to their invoices.  Ouch!  It hurts!

Well, I can’t lower gas prices, but I can offer suggestions.  Managing overhead costs and the increasing prices on your goods can be tough.  Think outside the box and minimize your overhead expeditures. 

One way to reduce overhead is to reduce payroll hours.  Try outsourcing your work.  This can be an inexpensive way to get what you need done without hiring someone full time. 

If you’re a little nervous about handing the reigns over to someone on an as needed basis, start with baby steps.  Start farming out small projects before you move on to the big stuff.  This will help you find someone who is compatible with you and your business.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

I love being a Virtual Assistant (VA)!  I wear many different hats and work in many different fields. 

One of the most popular services I offer right now is Ghost Blogging.  My clients know and understand why it is so important to their business.  Staying in contact with customers is essential to a business.  Reminding them you are still there.  That’s what blogs do.  They are immediate forms of updates – keeping clients informed on new services, new strategies, etc. 

Would you like to have a blog for your business but don’t have the time?  Let me know and I would be glad to help you with your blogging needs.  Check out some of my blogs.  There is something there for everyone!

glamourbuzz.wordpress.com

creatinghealthinamerica.wordpress.com

powerhealing.wordpress.com

buyveridien.wordpress.com

everydaylifewithms.wordpress.com

Free Web Site

Hello!

 I stumbled across liveoffice.com.  What a find!  I started a web site there.  My test is to see if just my SEO, how good the organic rankings will be. 

Have you ever used their services?  I am considering using it for my clients who want web presence because of “best practices” needs and not necessarily to sell from.  I want to offer clients an inexpensive alternative to owning a web site.

Let me know your thoughts on a platform like this.

 Thanks!

Virtual Assisting…Why I Love It

As a child I always asked my father what he wanted to be when he grew up.  His answer was (and still is) I don’t know yet, I’m still trying to figure it out.  I used to get so frustrated because I wanted direction or ideas on what I could possibly be when I grow up.

When my daughter asks me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I will tell her a little bit of everything.  It’s true.  There are so many things that interest me that it would be hard to pick just one.  This is what appeals to me about Virtual Assisting.  I work with so many wonderful professionals and entrepraneurs.  I get to learn so much about every type of business and how I can make it work for my VA business.

During an hour’s time I can wear so many different hats and work in many different industries.  Here are just a few hats or professions that I work in:

• PR
• Marketing
• Banking
• Toy Development
• Massage Therapy
• Salons
• Ghost writing
• Blogging
• Web Site Optimization

The list goes on! 

If you have the desire to learn about all sorts of different types of businesses and love a fast paced environment, Virtual Assisting just might be for you!

What questions do you have about Virtual Assisting that I can answer for you?  I would love to help you on your journey!

Having a blast in the Virtual World!

Lora