STEP 2 – GET THOSE EMAILS OPENED

More than 75% of emails don’t get opened, on average. That means if you send an email to 100 people, more than 75 won’t even open it. Seems like a waste right? Like putting liquid into a glass full of holes?

I agree.

Which is why I’ve uncovered, through trial and error, how to get way more than 25% of subscribers to open emails.

No one wants to read “here’s what I made and I’d like you to buy it please” emails week after week.

Your newsletter should excite, motivate, inspire, inform.

But it must also sell.

If your newsletter doesn’t make you sales, it’s no good. Which is why my technique keeps both parties happy:

Yes, it can be done. I’ll teach you how to write emails that keep subscribers interested and buying in Chapter 2 of HOW TO START, SEND & GROW A SUCCESSFUL NEWSLETTER.

STEP 3 – NEVER RUN OUT OF IDEAS

There are so many types of emails you can send subscribers; you don’t have to rely on easy to ignore subject lines like “What’s new”, “New Arrivals” or “I’m having a sale!”

A year’s worth of emails sharing different products to buy isn’t likely to keep excitement levels up or have subscribers opening your emails week after week.

Your newsletter needs a mix of promotional and non-promotional content.

You can still make sales, even when sending non-promotional content. How? That tip is only shared in the ebook.

I also share tons of ideas for promotional and non-promotional newsletter topics any business can use. And if you don’t like writing, I’ve got a few tips for you too!

STEP 4 – BE CONSISTENT WITH YOUR NEWSLETTER

Many people get their newsletter started but then forget to send emails or send them sporadically because they don’t know what to send.

Here’s what you don’t want to do:

I should send a newsletter…I haven’t done it in a while. I’ll send one today. What should I send? Hmm, this idea? No, people won’t open that. Maybe this? Nah, not good enough. Whatever, I’ll just share my latest product and use the subject line: “Check out what’s new!” 

You must be much more strategic than randomly sending emails or picking newsletter topics out of a hat.

Newsletters must align with big dates on your business’ calendar. And if you don’t have your business year planned yet, a sales-producing, subscriber-pleasing newsletter schedule will help you plan your entire year.

Yes, a well-planned newsletter schedule can be that powerful.

And if you’re worried you’ll eventually run out of ideas to fill a newsletter schedule year after year, I have solutions to keep that from ever happening.

STEP 5 – GET SUBSCRIBERS (WHO WILL BUY)

No, you can’t just slap a newsletter signup form on your website and watch subscribers pile up. Growing a quality list requires strategy.

I saw slow growth in the first 4 years of operating my newsletter; gaining a little over 2000 subscribers. Then I discovered the techniques that convince people to sign up and grew my list from 2000 to more than 16,000 quality subscribers within 3 years (And that’s with deleting 1000 – 2000 subscribers every couple months; I explain in the ebook why I delete them). My subscribers don’t just open and read my emails when I’m offering free content, they value my paid products and trust me enough to buy when I share one of them.

I’ll teach you the techniques I used so you can also grow a subscriber list full of people who buy, regardless of what you sell.

I’m also sharing an easy to follow formula to help you write powerful text for your newsletter’s signup forms. Because you can’t simply write “Sign up for my newsletter”, “Stay up to date” or “Subscribe!” and expect a form to have average, or above average conversions (aka signups).

Opt-in offers are another popular technique used to get people to subscribe. I share a variety of opt-in offers any type of business can use; not just bloggers selling information. I also explain the key components that must be in place for every opt-in offer if it’s going to give you a return on investment (aka make you money).

And of course, I’m going to tell you exactly where and how to market your newsletter so you’re not just waiting for people to notice a signup form in your website’s footer (which equates to a slow-growing list).

STEP 6 – WRITE EMAILS THAT SELL

It’s one thing to come up with a list of email topics you can send subscribers; it’s another to create subject lines from them that stand out in overflowing inboxes, get your messages read and your links clicked.

You can’t make sales if your emails don’t get opened and your links don’t get clicked.

My tips will help increase your open and click rates…even if you hate writing. I cover:

• Segmenting – what it is and why your newsletter needs it
• Subject lines – how to write one that gets your open rate above average
• Email content – common mistakes to avoid and best practices to get more clicks and fewer unsubscribes
• Testing – how to make sure your email isn’t going to go straight to spam folders

Buy HOW TO START, SEND & GROW A SUCCESSFUL NEWSLETTER now to start getting sales from your marketing efforts.

STEP 7 – KEEP SALES ROLLING IN

My favorite part of email marketing. Triggers and automations can put your email marketing and sales on autopilot.

And here’s why you need them.

Very rarely does a consumer go from hearing about your business, straight to being a customer. There are several steps that must happen in between to warm them up and get them comfortable with the idea of buying.

The steps involved create a sales funnel. And every online sales funnel needs triggers and automations to run smoothly.

They’ll help you keep track of who on your list has:

• just joined your newsletter
• purchased a product
• never purchased a product
• clicked a link and shown interest in a product
• never clicked a link
• etc.

And then send appropriate emails to each type of subscriber.

Pretty awesome huh?

To boost sales, your business needs 3 types of automations. I’ll teach you what they are, how to set up the proper triggers for them and the content each automation should cover.

I even walk you through exactly how to set up your very first trigger and automation to help add clarity to this sometimes confusing feature.

STEP 8 – GET THOSE STATS UP…STAT!

For your newsletter to be an effective marketing tool, you’ll need your stats close to average. And I know how to get to above average stats.

According to MailChimp and Convertkit, 20% – 30% is an average open rate and 2% – 5% is an average click rate.

Here are a couple screenshots from my current newsletter stats.

On average, my emails receive over a 40% open rate and 10% click rate.

Several emails rise above those numbers. Such as emails selling my products through my email challenge 5 DAYS TO A STANDOUT DISPLAY:

And BEAT LAST YEAR’S SALES email challenge:

I realize your business may be very different from mine but the basic principles still apply. 

I’m sharing the best practices I’ve discovered through trial and (a lot of) error. They’re all the little things that aren’t typically covered in general newsletter advice but are the little things that make a BIG difference.

My tips will help you increase open and click rates, and lower unsubscribe rates.

Finally know your path to consistent sales & have a solid marketing plan in place. Download:

WORKSHEETS

On top of all this information, I’ve also included worksheets. I don’t want this ebook to leave you with a long list of tasks you’ll probably never get to because you feel so overwhelmed by all the information.

I’ve written each chapter as consecutive steps you should follow to properly set up your newsletter, plan your schedule and send powerful emails.

Each chapter finishes with a TAKE ACTION section, which will tell you which worksheet to fill in. And each worksheet will help you check newsletter setup and maintain tasks off your to-do list.

If you follow the steps in each chapter and complete the worksheets, you’ll be ready to publish your first signup form, start collecting email addresses and hit send on your first email by the end of the ebook.

FAQ

YOUR BUSINESS IS SO DIFFERENT THAN MINE, WILL YOUR ADVICE WORK FOR ME?

Yes. I wrote this ebook with makers in mind and my advice, strategies and examples are geared towards businesses selling a handmade product. This isn’t a follow-the-exact-steps-my-business-took type of ebook. It’s a here-are-powerful-strategies-every-newsletter-must-implement-to-be-successful-and-here’s-how-you-can-make-it-work-for-your-business type of ebook.

Just as every type of business must be able to define the key areas outlined in a business plan (e.g. market analysis, competitor analysis, marketing plan, etc.) to be successful, every newsletter must use the tactics outlined in this ebook, regardless of what type of product or service the newsletter is marketing.

IS THIS JUST FOR MAKERS?

Definitely not. This information will be incredibly valuable to anyone who wants to start a newsletter, or has a newsletter but wants to get more out of it. The examples are geared towards a business selling a product, however, the lessons and ideas are applicable for any type of business.

I DON’T HAVE A WEBSITE, I CAN’T START A NEWSLETTER YET ….RIGHT?

Wrong. Start now! Email marketing services allow you to set up landing pages that collect email addresses, so you don’t need a website to start your newsletter. You can read this ebook and start sending powerful emails long before your website goes live.

WILL YOU TEACH ME HOW TO SET UP MY MAILCHIMP ACCOUNT? (OR CONVERTKIT)

Because email marketing services are constantly changing their features, I’ve linked to specific articles on the MailChimp and Convertkit websites that will help you complete the technical steps. But HOW TO START, SEND & GROW A SUCCESSFUL NEWSLETTER is more about best practices you can apply using any email marketing service and less about the technical side of a newsletter.

I’ve personally used both MailChimp and Convertkit and would recommend them. But there are several other email marketing services to choose from. Whichever service you use, the information from the ebook will apply.

I HAVE A NEWSLETTER AND HAVE BEEN OPERATING IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, WILL THIS EBOOK HELP?

Without knowing the exact knowledge you have on email marketing, I do believe even advanced email marketers will find this ebook valuable. Just like my blog articles, I explain complex techniques in a simple way so it’s easy for a beginner to follow or an expert to pick up new tips.

HOW MANY SUBSCRIBERS WILL I GET AFTER READING YOUR EBOOK?

I can’t guarantee you’ll grow your subscriber list by 10, or 100, or 1000 people in your first week, month or even year. And I’m not a fan of articles or courses that claim they can. No one can guarantee results, unless they’re doing custom work for your business. Even then, you’d have a hard time finding someone who will promise a specific outcome.

The average conversion rate of a newsletter signup form is 1.95%. If you have a website with over 50,000 visitors/month then sure, 1000 signups within a month of adding a newsletter signup form might be doable. But even then, a 1.95% conversion rate isn’t guaranteed. You must set realistic expectations based on your business, products, how much time you have to dedicate, your newsletter knowledge, etc.

This ebook was written to give you actionable advice and offer strategies that create long-lasting, realistic results; not to get you vanity subscriber numbers that don’t actually help you with sales.

WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE WRITING, SHOULD I STILL START A NEWSLETTER?

110% yes! I’ve included several ideas and solutions for those who don’t like to write. I’ve also included over 25 types of emails you can send, with several examples under each, and solutions to: what if I run out of ideas? For almost every idea I share, I cover exactly how it can be put into action.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS EBOOK IS RIGHT FOR ME?

I know there’s a ton of information out there and lots of people offering advice. I’m sure there are many amazing resources for you to choose from. Everyone has their way of teaching as well as learning. My style of writing and teaching may or may not click with your learning style.

Have a look around my blog, read a few articles or sign up for my newsletter to see if my style clicks with you. This is the fifth ebook I’ve written and my previous ebooks have been purchased by thousands of people since launching my first one, just over two years ago. And most of my customers end up coming back and buying more ebooks…if that adds some reassurance

DO YOU OFFER A PRINTED VERSION?

I do not have a printed version; I only have a digital version available. I understand the appeal of a printed version over a digital copy, however, as an independent author, the cost to print a short run of books and ship them would raise the price significantly.

Although, I know, it’s not the same as a professionally printed and bound book, many of my customers have printed my ebooks at home, or have had them printed at an OfficeMax/Office Depot/Staples/etc.

*Please note: due to the ebook’s copyright, some printing services will require a note from the author granting permission to print a personal copy. Please contact me if you plan to have one of my ebooks printed and I can provide you with written permission.

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

Because my ebooks are digital copies that are instantly delivered to your email’s inbox, I do not offer refunds.

If you have any questions about an ebook and whether it’s right for you, please feel free to contact me with any questions and I’d be happy to answer them!

 

DISCLAIMER

This ebook is presented to you for informational purposes only and is not a substitution for any professional advice. Although I strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice or free from any errors, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, business, legal, and financial or tax-related decisions.

 

WHO AM I?

I’m Erin, founder and one of the creative minds behind MadeUrban.com. I’ve been in the crafting industry over a decade now, with 2005 being the year of my very first craft fair. I started as the poster child for “craft fair don’ts” and grew into a successful handmade business owner selling full time through craft fairs, online and wholesale accounts. That small business led me to my current dream career of helping others with their creative businesses and working for the cuddliest boss in the world…..my cat Josh.

As a Visual Communications Design graduate, past Regional Visual Merchandiser, former craft show vendor, current crafty website owner and forever and always a handmade hoarder, I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. From methods taught in the classroom to techniques used by major retailers to bring in the big bucks, I’ve tested them all to see what works and what doesn’t.

I want nothing more than to see your small business succeed and to share every bit of information I can to help you along the way. I hope you love reading my advice as much as I love sharing it. Check out the blog if this is your first time visiting Made Urban. Read a few articles to be sure you like my style of writing and find my advice valuable. Over 10,000 people have joined my Seller Newsletter and my articles are read by thousands each day, so I’m confident you’ll find value in my articles or ebooks too.

If you have any questions about the ebook, my articles, Made Urban or cats, I’d be happy to answer them!