Your November content planner is here
Your October content planner is here
Your September 2020 Content Planner is here
Now is the time to start planning for the holiday season. Many of your biggest competitors have started generating buzz around the holidays. Constant Contact provides you all of the tools you need to connect with your audience and deliver content and offers that will get them excited to shop with you.
Got a burning email question not answered here? I’m happy to help you. Drop a comment below, or reach out to me on social media, or email your questions to hello@melaniediehl.com I’d love to hear from you.
Learn more about email marketing!
We are pleased to offer Email Marketing Academy with Melanie Diehl. This self-led online course is perfect for the beginner and the advanced email marketer.
Need more support than a course? We offer that too!
We offer both in-person and virtual training for individuals, organizations, private groups, and higher-education programs. Check out our offerings here, and our workshop calendar here. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we can create it for you! Simply email us to discuss your specific needs, and we can make it happen!
Tomato sandwiches and brand loyalty
Dukes or Hellmans?
Whether it’s a juicy tomato sandwich or homemade potato salad, one thing I know for sure is if you’re from the South, you swear by Duke’s mayo. I know some people who would rather do without than use Hellmans. And don’t even get them started on Miracle Whip!
The same argument can be held for Pepsi vs Coke. And Ford vs Chevy. Most people are very brand loyal. Whether it’s a generational thing, or just a personal preference, many people would rather do without than chose an alternative.
When it comes to offering a service or product–new or existing–to your audience, how will you convince them to chose you? Overcoming obstacles is one of the greatest challenges small business owners and marketers face. And it’s one of the most rewarding. When we can show our audience how we can serve them, and serve them better than they ever imagined, we win.
What obstacles do you need to overcome to reach your ideal audience? Really, I want to know. Email me and let’s talk about it!
In the meantime, I’ll be whipping up another juicy tomato sandwich using my favorite mayo.
Your May 2020 Content Planner is here!
Who can believe it’s May already? The year is flying by so quickly. We’ve created this Marketing and Holiday Content Planner Guide to help you get inspired and stay organized.
How do I communicate with my audience in these times?
Offer your subscribers real value. If you’ve shifted to offer more online or virtual resources, let them know! Folks still want and need to send Mother’s Day gifts. Make it easy for them. Maybe you have ideas for kid-friendly activities that support families who are getting a little stressed and running out of creativity. Do you have a YouTube channel with content your readers crave? Share that with them. Most of all, don’t sweat it. Enjoy the moments of your days, and breathe. You’ve got this. And I’ve got you!
Got a burning email question not answered here? I’m happy to help you. Drop a comment below, or reach out to me on social media, or email your questions to hello@melaniediehl.com I’d love to hear from you.
Learn more about email marketing!
We are pleased to offer Email Marketing Academy with Melanie Diehl. This self-led online course is perfect for the beginner and the advanced email marketer.
Need more support than a course? We offer that too!
We offer both in-person and virtual training for individuals, organizations, private groups, and higher-education programs. Check out our offerings here, and our workshop calendar here. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we can create it for you! Simply email us to discuss your specific needs, and we can make it happen!
Your Email Marketing Questions Answered
I teach a lot of email marketing seminars. A LOT. Over the years, I’ve presented email marketing to 1000’s of small business owners, marketers, and organizations. Some of the students are familiar with email marketing, and some are brand-new to the concept. But without fail, I get asked the following questions in my sessions. Today, I’m sharing my answers with you!
What type of content do I send?
The content should always be about them (the reader), rarely about us. Subscribers want to know WIIFM (what’s in it for me)? Sending relevant content to an interested audience is key. Make the content personalized, interest-based and value-laden. Always include a CTA (call to action) even if it’s just a read more link to your blog or video or website. Video content is some of the highest performing content at the moment, so leverage that opportunity to drive traffic to your YouTube channel!
How often should I send an email?
This will vary based on your industry and your subscribers expectations. If you’re a local deli with specials of the day, then daily, of course. If you’re a nonprofit organization, monthly might suffice. How much content do you have to share? So many factors affect this. For most businesses and organizations, 2-4 times a month is acceptable.
How do I grow my email list on a budget?
There are numerous ways to grow your list without investing a fortune! Here’s several free or low-cost ideas.
1. Add a SUBSCRIBE link or button to your email signature
2. Create a QR code that links to your sign-up URL
3. Add a signup form to your website.
4. Use Text-to-Join, a feature included in some Email Service Providers and available as a 3rd party tool for others
5. Create a landing page with a freebie download.
How often should I provide value versus sell?
We provide value in every single email campaign we send. Again, it goes to knowing your audience, knowing their needs, their pain points, serving them. And dependent on the industry, selling in emails will vary. If you’ve got a product or service to sell, promote that. There’s no hard and fast rule, because it’s so industry specific. We help our clients identify the best strategies for their unique businesses.
Do I need to have a content plan for my email list?
Absolutely! A content calendar is a huge time saver. You know when we have events and sales and new products, etc., so those get added first. Then you fill in with additional content. A content calendar is really the best way to approach all content marketing strategies.
Got more questions?
Got a burning email question not answered here? I’m happy to help you. Drop a comment below, or reach out to me on social media, or email your questions to hello@melaniediehl.com I’d love to hear from you.
Learn more about email marketing!
We offer both in-person and virtual training for individuals, organizations, private groups, and higher-education programs. Check out our offerings here, and our workshop calendar here. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we can create it for you! Simply email us to discuss your specific needs, and we can make it happen!