You may be convinced that an e-newsletter or e-zine is handy for other business owners, and you may glean a lot of ideas from them yourself. But are you having trouble coming up with reasons to create your own?
Personally, I believe that folks in just about any field can come up with interesting concepts and insights to share with clients and colleagues through an e-zine. It all comes down to who you are marketing the 'zine to. First you need to sit down and decide whether you are attempting to sell products and services to consumers or if you are establishing your level of expertise in your field. The two aren't mutually exclusive, but they will change the tone and spirit of your e-zine a bit.
For instance, writers can use e-zines to share their latest publishing accomplishments and give fans advance notice about upcoming releases. (Side note here: in this case it's a good idea to include an option in the e-zine and on your website so folks can reserve their copy of your new title before it even comes out!)
Want more examples of how the small- or home-based business person can create an e-zine that is interesting to their market? Read on.
- Bed & breakfast operators can let frequent visitors know what's going on "in town" and remind them of upcoming events in the area, share stories of fun things other guests enjoyed, and post pictures throughout the seasons. Don't forget to invite them to stay with you again soon!
- Fishing and hunting guides can keep avid outdoorsmen in the know about hot new spots to catch trout, changes to local and national legislation, and tip them off to new products on the market that your outfit has found to be "tried and true." Ask trip participants to share photos of their big catch or tell a few "one that got away" stories.
- Travel agents can give the skinny on new passport legislation, tips for packing (do you really need 6 sets of pants for a 3-day trip?), and suggestions for off-season travel. Throw in a discount coupon or a contest to someplace quiet and undiscovered and see what comes back. Perhaps you could partner with a local bed & breakfast for a holiday treat sweepstakes...after all, everybody loves the idea of a free weekend for Valentine's Day, and if it's within a few hours' drive, all the better!
- Maybe you run a landscaping business. All the more reason to keep in touch with your clients. Remind them of the new plants you'll be offering for 2006, tell them about the booth you'll be at for the next Home and Garden Show, and invite them to stop by to say hi. Better yet, ask them to forward your email to a friend...if the friend stops by the booth, they both get a discounted rate for service that month. Hit on organic products (hot on the market right now), mention new roses or other award-winning plants, and give them a piece about maintaining shrubs between service or conserving water. They'll thank you for it.
Comment Preview