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[Worksheet] 20 Writing Prompts for Quick and Creative Non-promotional Emails

[Worksheet] 20 Writing Prompts for Quick and Creative Non-promotional Emails

by | Apr 18, 2016 | Blog, Constant Contact, email, email marketing

Your customers want more than promotional emails from your retail business.

Are you giving them tips to use your product effectively? Have you introduced them to the people behind your business? When was the last time you asked them for feedback?

To drive sales with email marketing, go beyond self-promotion; look for ways to provide value and build customer relationships.

But even if you want to send a non-promotional email, how do you know what to send?

We get it. Sometimes coming up with an idea is the hardest part.

If you’re stuck, use these 20 writing prompts as inspiration.

Download your writing prompt worksheet to get started right away!

And check out a few examples from other small businesses:

Provide a “how-to” tutorial

Orange Cycle, Orlando, Florida
orange cycle

Provide a gift guide

The Basketry, Luling, Louisiana

basketry

Highlight your social media profiles

Art Impressions, Salem, Oregon

on periscope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syndicated from the Constant Contact Blog ➞ [Worksheet] 20 Writing Prompts for Quick and Creative Non-promotional Emails

Your October Holiday and Marketing Planner is here!

Whatcha gonna say in that next email campaign?

by | Mar 12, 2016 | Blog, Constant Contact, email, email marketing

email on phone iconTo get your email opened and read, you understand the importance of sending it at the right time. You understand the importance of a compelling subject line. You understand the importance of segmentation: sending the proper message to the proper group.

So now you’ve got them interested in your email, but what are you going to talk about?  Many marketers get stuck here. Deciding what to write can be a little less confusing by following these concepts.

  • Focus on being relevant. Make sure that you know what your audience values: ask your customers and prospects what type of information they would like to receive in their inbox.
  • Figure out how much is enough. How much content is that? Keep in mind that a majority of people will be viewing your email from their mobile device, and will likely not have/not take the time to read a lengthy email.
  • Turn questions into content. Remember, you are the expert in your business or industry, and your customers typically are not.
  • Use images—great images! Or video! Just be sure your email is optimized for mobile, and that images don’t dominate your content.
  • Use the internet to help you find content: blogs, RSS feeds, Twitter trending topics and Google alerts are a few great resources.

Here’s a list of ideas to get you started today!

  • The Year in Review
  • Weekly/monthly calendar of events
  • Answer a frequently asked question (or two or three!)
  • Welcome a new staff member
  • How to…
  • Announcement of new product/service
  • News of awards/achievements
  • Shareable content (like photos, gif’s, and infographics)
  • Video of employees/staff volunteering in the community
  • Picture and caption of unique event/crazy weather
  • Special offer/sale/promotion
  • Anything “behind the scenes”
  • Invitation to an event
  • Highlight customer/charity/another business
  • Curated content with link to original source
  • Teaser text and link to your blog
  • Request for help, volunteers needed, etc

At the end of the day, it’s so important to remember that content marketing really isn’t about what you want to say, but about what your audience wants to hear. You know your tribe, so speak their language! Marketers who can remember this and implement it will do well.