|
In this newsletter:
|
|
CU Village recently redesigned and redeveloped the Michigan One Credit Union Web site using our Content Management System. Take a look by clicking on the image above!
|
Building Your E-mail Marketing List: The Basics and Beyond
If you want to get more results from your e-mail marketing efforts, then it’s time to grow your e-mail list.
Start with the Basics
When you first get started with e-mail marketing, it's normal to have a smaller list. It takes a concerted effort to get in the habit of asking for e-mail addresses. There are people who have been e-mail marketing for years and still aren't taking advantage of all the opportunities they have to grow their list. Don't let that be you!
Here are a few simple things that you can do to build your list:
- Put a "Join My E-mail List" sign-up box on your Web site. Constant Contact and other e-mail marketing service providers make it easy for you to do this. And it's important that you do. Your Web site is the first place most people look when they want information about your credit union. It's great when they visit your Web site, but are you capturing their e-mail addresses? Don't miss the chance to start building a relationship with them.
- Ask your members for their e-mail addresses and permission. Whether it's over the phone or in person, don't forget to tell your members about your e-mail communications and ask if you can add them to your list. You can also put out a sign-up book in a prominent place in your lobby. Many of your employees (e.g., member service representatives) interact with members, so train those employees to ask members to sign up for your e-mail communications.
- Ask those you meet when networking and at trade shows to join. When you meet people at networking events and trade shows tell them about your free e-newsletter or your e-mail-only specials and ask them if they would like to join your list.
Creative Ways to Move beyond the Basics
If you want to take your e-mail marketing efforts to the next level, put the following ideas into practice.
- Offer incentives for signing up. It's amazing how a freebie or a chance to win a prize can be just what a person needs to "take the plunge" and sign up for your e-mail list. Your giveaway doesn't have to be costly; it can be as simple as sharing your expertise in the form of a free whitepaper or guide. Make it clear to those who sign up that they will be added to your list.
- Run a "Forward to a Friend” Contest. In your e-mail newsletter, let your contacts know that if they use the "Forward to a Friend" link to send this month's newsletter to at least one new recipient, they will be entered into a drawing for a prize. One of the many useful things about using an e-mail marketing service provider is that you can see which subscribers forwarded your e-mail to a friend. With that knowledge, you can easily run the contest.
- Partner with a related business or organization. Think of a business or organization that is related to your business, but not a competitor. You can work together to promote each other's e-mail communications to your members. Highlight your partner as a guest writer in your newsletter and ask that they do the same for you. At the end of each article, invite readers to join that author's e-mail list.
- Include a "Join My E-mail List" link in all online content. Do you have articles on your Web site or on other Web sites? Do you have your own blog? This is another great opportunity to add people to your list. Include a link that takes readers to your sign-up page. Your copy could read, "Like this article? Get more like it in your inbox. Subscribe today for our monthly e-newsletter."
- Include a "Join My E-mail List" link at the bottom of your e-mail signature. This is great advertisement and it's free. Add one line that describes the benefits of your newsletter or e-mail promotions.
- Promote your e-mail communications in all printed materials (including your business cards). It's easy to forget about e-mail when doing a printed piece. Whether it's a brochure or a statement insert, don't forget to add a line asking the receiver to sign up for your free newsletter. Business cards are a great place for a quick promotion as well.
By putting some of these tactics into action, you will see your list increase over the months and years to come. More contacts mean more opportunities to bring in new members and build lasting relationships with them.
Top
Keys to Blogging: Voice and Humor
You’ve decided to take the plunge; you’re going to blog. Whether you plan to post your own blog or comment on a colleague’s blog, you want to be original—and not just link mindlessly to other sites.
Here are some tips for optimum blogging.
Be informed. Whatever you’re writing about, read as widely as you can, not only on the subject at hand, but especially on unrelated topics. Why? One key to great blogging is to be able to link wide ranging subjects to your area of expertise. So, for instance, if you’re writing about employee communications, you might want to look into comic strips, and how they can affect readers. The idea is to present a fresh perspective on the concept.
Think about it. Stop reading for a while and let your brain do what it does best—think for itself.
Share your thoughts. Don’t keep your opinion to yourself. That is not the point of blogging. Blogs are not traditional media. They are places of learning, and you have to distinguish yourself by taking a position.
Write with humor. Why? Think about it. If you make someone laugh, you’ve used something static (a screen with writing) to make someone respond physically (laughing or chuckling). If you can do that, you’ve probably won a loyal reader. Also, making someone laugh makes them naturally want to share it with as many people as possible—so you’re in the viral market if you can make your readers laugh.
Now that you’re ready to blog, log on to CU Campus, and share your thoughts with your colleagues.
|
|
|
For information about our products and services, contact your CU Village.com business consultant.
|
|
February 2008