Marketing Academy: Newsletter Marketing

What is Newsletter?

Marketing newsletter campaigns are like a firework show: they help you make a big statement and draw attention to your content. Newsletters are a great way to make a big statement and showcase your offerings in a fun and engaging way. By sending out regular newsletters, you’ll be able to keep your customers updated on your latest offerings and any new products or discounts they may be interested in. Plus, newsletters are customizable and can be tailored to individual customers’ needs, so you’ll be able to provide them with content that is relevant and engaging. So why not light up the sky with your newsletter firework show and draw attention to your business?

Why is newsletter important in marketing?

Let's say you own a hair salon that boasts the most skilled and friendliest stylists in town. Think of a hair salon newsletter as a monthly hair-care magazine delivered straight to your customers' inboxes. Just like a magazine keeps you updated on the latest hair trends, tips and products, a hair salon newsletter can educate your customers on how to take care of their hair, showcase your salon's services and treatments, and offer exclusive promotions and discounts. It's like having a personal hair stylist who is always there to offer guidance and advice.

Receiving a newsletter is a reminder to your customers that they are valued and cared for, building a deeper relationship and loyalty with them. It's a powerful way to keep your brand front and center in their minds and drive repeat business. The impact of newsletters for marketing lies in its ability to create a personal connection with your customers, educate and inform them, and ultimately drive growth for your business.

How to get started on a Newsletter

Creating and sending newsletters involves the following steps:

Define your target audience: Determine the demographic, interests, and behavior of your ideal customer.
Choose a newsletter platform: Select a tool such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or Campaign Monitor that fits your budget and needs.
Design your newsletter: Use templates or create a custom design that aligns with your brand and appeals to your target audience.
Write content: Develop engaging, informative, and action-oriented content that aligns with your marketing goals.
Include calls-to-action: Encourage subscribers to take action, such as visiting your website or making a purchase.
Build your subscriber list: Grow your list through opt-in forms, lead magnets, and social media.
Schedule and send: Use your chosen platform to schedule and send your newsletter at the optimal time for your audience.
Track and measure: Analyze the results of your newsletters, including open rates, click-through rates, and conversions, to improve your strategy continuously.

What are worthy Newsletter topics?

The following topics were chosen because they provide valuable and relevant information to your hair salon audience, demonstrate your expertise and customer focus, and drive engagement and conversions.

Here are six months worth of Newsletter topics:

Product spotlight: Highlight a new or popular product and its benefits, along with tips for using it. This will keep your audience informed about your offerings and increase interest in your products.
Industry news and trends: Share the latest news and trends in your industry, and how they may impact your customers. This demonstrates your expertise and helps keep your audience up-to-date.
Customer success stories: Share stories of how your customers have used your products or services to achieve their goals. This builds credibility, inspires your audience, and shows the impact of your offerings.
Behind-the-scenes: Give your audience a glimpse into your business, including the people, processes, and culture. This adds a personal touch and helps build a relationship with your audience.
Special offers and promotions: Share exclusive deals and discounts with your subscribers. This incentivizes them to take action and drives sales.
Frequently asked questions: Address common questions and concerns your customers have, and provide helpful answers and advice. This demonstrates your customer-focused approach and helps build trust.

What we need to stand out?

If all the local hair salons are using newsletters for marketing, you can stand out by focusing on the following tactics:

Personalization: Use subscriber data to create a customized experience, such as addressing subscribers by name or featuring products and services they've shown an interest in.
Unique content: Offer original, informative, and engaging content that sets you apart from your competitors, such as tutorials, expert tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at your salon.
Interactive elements: Incorporate interactive elements, such as quizzes, polls, and surveys, to encourage subscriber engagement and build a deeper connection with your audience.
Segmentation: Divide your subscriber list into specific groups based on interests, behaviors, and past purchases, and send targeted newsletters to each group. This maximizes relevance and impact.
Consistency and frequency: Be consistent and frequent in your newsletter schedule, and ensure the quality of your content remains high. This helps build brand trust and a sense of reliability.

By implementing these tactics, you can differentiate your newsletters from your competitors, and make a lasting impression on your subscribers.

That's great, now I need specifics!

Ok, here's some engaging copy and an email subject line for one of the Newsletter topics:

Subject: Stay Ahead of the Game: Latest Hair and Beauty Trends

Dear [Subscriber Name],

Welcome to this month's edition of [Salon Name] newsletter. This month, we're focusing on keeping you informed about the latest hair and beauty trends. Whether you're looking to change up your look or stay ahead of the game, we've got you covered!

Here are some of the hottest trends we're seeing in the hair and beauty industry:

Bold Colors: This season, bold and bright hair colors are making a comeback. From electric blue to neon pink, there's no shortage of options for those who want to make a statement with their hair.

Textured Layers: If you're looking for a low-maintenance haircut, textured layers are the way to go. They provide volume, movement, and versatility, making them a popular choice for all hair types.

Sustainable Beauty: Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor in the beauty industry, and we're seeing more and more eco-friendly and sustainable products hitting the market. From biodegradable packaging to natural ingredients, these products are not only good for the environment but also good for your skin.

Natural Nails: Natural, minimalist nails are in this season. Think neutral colors, simple shapes, and a focus on healthy nails.

We hope you find this information useful, and if you're interested in trying out one of these trends, don't hesitate to book an appointment with us!

Best regards,

[Salon Name]

P.S. Don't forget to follow us on [Social Media Platform] for even more hair and beauty inspiration!

Wow, I'm excited to start. But, who am I sending this Newsletter to?

Building a list of current clients and acquiring a list of prospective customers can be done through several strategies:

Opt-in Forms: Include opt-in forms on your website and in your physical location where customers can sign up to receive your newsletters.
Social Media: Encourage your followers on social media to sign up for your newsletter, and include links to your opt-in forms in your social media profiles.
Customer Surveys: Ask customers for their email addresses during transactions, or include an opt-in question in customer surveys.
In-Store Sign-Up: Place physical sign-up forms in your salon for customers to fill out.
Referral Program: Offer incentives for current customers to refer their friends and family to your salon, and ask for email addresses when they sign up.
Purchase Information: Collect email addresses when customers make a purchase, either in-store or online.
Partner with Other Businesses: Partner with complementary businesses to cross-promote each other and build your email list.

It's important to follow best practices for email marketing and obtain express consent from individuals before adding them to your list, such as by offering an opt-in option and honoring opt-out requests. Additionally, make sure to keep your list up-to-date by regularly removing inactive subscribers.

This sounds like a lot of work, where do I start?

Let's circle back to the beginning. Starting a newsletter can seem daunting, but it can be a valuable tool for your business with the right approach. Here are the steps to get started:

Define your goal: What do you want to achieve with your newsletter? Increased brand awareness, customer engagement, or increased sales? Having a clear goal in mind will help guide the content and design of your newsletter.
Build your list: As mentioned earlier, there are several ways to build your list, including opt-in forms, social media, customer surveys, in-store sign-ups, referral programs, purchase information, and partnerships with other businesses.
Choose an email marketing platform: There are many email marketing platforms available, both free and paid, such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and Campaign Monitor. Choose a platform that fits your budget and has the features you need to effectively manage your email list and create your newsletter.
Design your newsletter: The design of your newsletter should reflect your brand and be visually appealing. Most email marketing platforms offer templates that you can customize to fit your brand.
Create content: Decide on the type of content you want to include in your newsletter, such as product updates, industry news, special promotions, and subscriber-only content. Plan your content in advance to ensure you are consistently delivering valuable and relevant information to your subscribers.
Test and send: Before you send your first newsletter, test it to ensure it looks and functions as expected. Then, set a schedule for sending your newsletter, and stick to it.

By following these steps, you'll be on your way to creating and sending effective newsletters that help build your brand and engage your customers.

I don't have the time, skill set or the right employees to handle this. Who should I call?

If you don't have the time, skill set, or the right employees to handle creating and sending newsletters, consider hiring a professional. Here are some options:

Freelance marketer: A freelance marketer with experience in email marketing can help you create and send newsletters that effectively reach your target audience.
Marketing agency: A marketing agency can provide a full suite of services, including email marketing, and can handle all aspects of your newsletter, from content creation to design to deployment.
Email marketing specialist: An email marketing specialist can help you create and implement an effective email marketing strategy, including the creation and deployment of your newsletter.

When hiring a professional, be sure to do your research and choose someone with the experience and skills necessary to deliver results for your business. Ask for samples of their work and for references from past clients, and be clear about your goals and expectations for your newsletter.

What growth can I expect if I follow all these tactics?

It's difficult to predict exact client growth as it depends on many factors, such as the size of your current client base, your target audience, the quality and relevance of your content, and the overall competitiveness of your industry. However, by following best practices for email marketing and creating a newsletter that is valuable and engaging for your customers, you can expect to see increased brand awareness, customer engagement, and potentially increased sales.

A well-executed newsletter can help build relationships with your customers, keep them informed about your business, and drive repeat business. Additionally, by regularly sending newsletters, you can stay top of mind with your customers and differentiate your business from the competition.

Keep in mind that client growth is a gradual process and may not happen overnight. Consistently delivering valuable content, tracking the results of your newsletter campaigns, and making adjustments as needed can help you maximize your results over time.

Before I put in the effort, is there any data that illustrates possible growth from using newsletters?

Yes, there is data that illustrates the potential growth from using newsletters as part of an overall email marketing strategy. According to data from various sources:

Email marketing has an average return on investment (ROI) of $44 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most cost-effective forms of marketing.
The open rate for newsletters is on average around 20%, while the click-through rate (CTR) can be as high as 8%. This means that one in five subscribers is opening your newsletter, and one in twelve is clicking through to your website.
Regularly sending newsletters can help increase customer loyalty and repeat business, with customers who receive newsletters spending on average 20% more than those who do not.
Newsletters can also help increase brand awareness, with the majority of subscribers being more likely to recommend your business to others after receiving a newsletter.

These statistics highlight the potential for growth that can be achieved through effective email marketing, including the use of newsletters. By creating valuable and engaging content, targeting the right audience, and using best practices for email marketing, you can potentially see increased brand awareness, customer engagement, and sales.

What tools can I use to sharpen newsletters?

There are several software tools that can help you sharpen your newsletter and make it more engaging. Here are a few options:

Canva: Canva is a design tool that offers a range of templates and design elements to help you create professional-looking newsletters with ease.
Adobe InDesign: Adobe InDesign is a professional design software that offers advanced layout and typography tools for creating newsletters.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp offers newsletter templates and a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to create and customize newsletters.
Sendinblue: Sendinblue offers a drag-and-drop email editor and newsletter templates that can help you create visually appealing newsletters quickly.
Campaign Monitor: Campaign Monitor provides newsletter templates, a drag-and-drop editor, and other features to help you create engaging newsletters.

When choosing a software tool to sharpen your newsletter, consider factors like your budget, design skills, and the level of support provided by the software. Also, make sure the software you choose integrates with your email marketing platform so you can easily send your newsletters to your subscribers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sending newsletters is a fun and effective way to reach out to your hair salon's customers and keep them engaged. With a personalized approach, you can share news, promotions, and behind-the-scenes details about your salon, building stronger relationships and creating a sense of community.

Newsletters are a great way to showcase your salon's personality, highlight the services and products you offer, and give your customers a glimpse into the heart of your business. They're an opportunity to connect with your customers and show them that you value their support and loyalty.

So if you're looking for a way to spice up your marketing efforts and keep your customers in the loop, why not try sending newsletters? It's a fun, creative, and impactful way to reach out and make your salon shine!