4 Ways You Can Use Email Marketing to Grow Your Businesses
Despite email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in a small business owner's arsenal, it’s typically one of the last things on our mind or maybe it never even makes it on our to do list.
I have a theory as to why this might be. We’re overwhelmed. overworked. As small business owners we already have a mountain of items on our to do list, emails respond to and instagram posts to make. So the last thing we want to do is make the time to write a newsletter to go out to our email list.
Or maybe you have a small email list and feel intimidated or discouraged about this marketing strategy, wondering if it’s even worth the investment of your time.
If that sounds like you, I have really good news. Email marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming and scary as a business owner! It can be fun and it can be a way to grow your business and reach your financial goals.
With the right strategy, you can turn your email list into a vibrant community of loyal customers eager to hear from you. But we can’t fit everything in one blog post, so today, we’ll explore four fun and engaging ways small business owners are using email marketing to grow their businesses. Let's dive in!
1. Storytelling to Promote Services
One of the most effective ways to use email marketing is by sharing and promoting your services through storytelling. Keep your emails entertaining, inspiring, and valuable, while sprinkling in details about your services and how people can work with you.
By weaving your services into captivating stories, you can engage your audience and make them more likely to connect with your business.
Whether it’s a success story from a happy customer or an amusing anecdote from behind the scenes, storytelling can make your emails feel personal and relatable.
The worst thing is sitting down to write an email with no clue where to start or what to write about, so I have a note on my phone that I continuously add to called “NEWSLETTER IDEAS”, so when inspiration strikes, I add it to the list so I always have a growing bank of content ideas to work from! Bye writer’s block!
2. Exclusive First Access to Sales
Another fantastic way to leverage email marketing is by giving your subscribers exclusive first access to big sales. The key is to make your email list feel special and exclusive. For example, if you have a product launch coming up, you can make the link live and share it first with your email list before releasing it on social media. This gives your subscribers a sense of priority and creates excitement around your launches. Not only does this reward your loyal subscribers, but it also encourages others to join your email list to get in on the exclusivity.
3. Invitations, Save the Dates and General Updates
Email marketing is a great way to share information about events. If you feel like Instagram is never showing your stories or content to anybody anymore and you’re struggling to be seen, email marketing can be a game-changer. The time you send the email is the time your audience receives it, ensuring your message gets through and you’re not battling the algorithm to speak to people that want to hear from you. Use your email list to communicate important details and ways for people to work with you or experience your business. Whether it's a webinar, a local event, or a special promotion, emails can keep your audience informed and engaged.
When it comes to your newsletter, finding the right cadence is crucial for keeping your audience engaged without overwhelming them. A good cadence to aim for is once a week. Sending emails on a weekly basis helps you stay top of mind with your subscribers and keeps the momentum going in your engagement efforts.
It’s frequent enough to keep your brand relevant but not so frequent that it becomes intrusive. This balance helps in maintaining a healthy open rate and minimizes the chances of your emails being marked as spam.
Consistency is key. By sending emails on a set schedule, you create an expectation among your subscribers, leading to higher open rates and better engagement. Your weekly emails should always provide value, whether through tips, stories, exclusive offers, or useful information. This keeps your audience interested and looking forward to your emails.
4. Promoting Affiliate Links
Lastly, don't underestimate the power of using email marketing to plug affiliate links. Your link in bio on Instagram isn’t the only place where you can share affiliate links. Plug your Amazon storefront or encourage viewers to use your discount code in an email newsletter too. Consider doing a weekly product roundup or a monthly favorites email series. This not only provides value to your subscribers by recommending products you love but also generates additional revenue for your business through affiliate commissions.
Email marketing offers endless possibilities for small business owners to connect with their audience and grow their business. Whether you’re using storytelling to promote your services, offering exclusive access to sales, sharing event information, or promoting affiliate links, the key is to keep your emails engaging and valuable. Ready to take your email marketing to the next level?
Work With Us!
If you're not sending weekly newsletters to your email list, you're missing out! We'll refresh your email strategy with Flodesk (our favorite email marketing platform on the market) and we'll handle all the setup and implementation of this new platform for a hands-free, easy experience.
We'll give you training on how to use the platform and get your email marketing ready to rock and roll with a strategically crafted 3-part welcome sequence PLUS ideas/prompts for your next 4 weekly newsletters to get the ball rolling.
PS - Interested in monthly email retainers? Just send us an email and we can chat!
Includes:
General Opt-In Form Strategy + Set Up (so you can collect email subscribers)
Flodesk Email Setup + Scheduling for a Hands-Free Experience
3 Templated Designs (you can use again and again)
3-Part Welcome Sequence (design, strategy, and copy)
4 Weekly Newsletter Prompts
Want More Small Business Content + Education?
Simply Sophie Designs helps female-led small businesses go from a stressful “do-it-all” marketing approach to having a memorable brand, strategic website, and results-driven launch support that boosts their growth beyond what they once thought was possible.