Over the past couple of days, I’ve had an explosion of new email subscribers. I’m not sure where they’re all coming from or how they are finding me.
What’s even stranger is that among the usual gmail and hotmail addresses, I’m also seeing a bunch of emails associated with local businesses from all around the US.
A pest control company… a photography studio… a car repair shop… even a company that specializes in grinding knives and blades.
Anyways, if you’ve got a local business, then you might like this post.
Because I’ve prepared 10 ideas for emails to send your customers and leads. I’ve personally seen every one of these types of emails build a better relationship with customers, as well as drum up new sales for local businesses.
#1. “The telephone”
There’s a realtor from Tulsa, OK who is a master of local marketing. At first, she emailed her leads and talked about real estate. Nobody cared. So she figured out what people really wanted: her personal stories and pictures of her cute dog. This made people feel like she was talking to them, just like they were on the phone together. And her business took off like crazy.
#2. “The salt & pepper shakers”
There are a bunch of businesses out there that are complementary to yours. Example: photography studio -> catering service (for weddings and other special events). So you can simply send out an email recommending another good business you know about. Bonus points if you make it a tit-for-tat deal, where they promote you to their list as well.
#3. “The ‘OPEN’ sign”
Simple. Just use an email to answer a question that people are always asking you.
#4. “The nightly news”
Be a bloodhound for interesting local information. Good restaurants you’ve discovered. Special events that are going on. Cute spots not everyone knows about.
#5. “The light bulb”
You know that uncomfortable feeling when you’re driving in the rain and your windshield is getting fogged up? And how much of a relief it is to finally blast the heating and defog the windows? Well, that’s how your customers will feel when you give them a good metaphor to illustrate their problem in a new way.
#6. “The coupon book”
Give ’em a reason to come in to your store or shop, or to give you a call. Do it in a friendly and fun and entertaining way. And include a deadline.
#7. “The family Christmas card”
Share company news, even if it’s trivial. The key is to make it lighthearted and personal.
#8. “The vacation photo album”
Share industry news. Tread carefully, though. 99% of industry news won’t be as interesting to your customers as it is to you (like the realtor found out in point 1 above). Only share industry news if it’s colossally important, or if it’s amusing or a bit bizarre.
#9. “The magazine”
Write about other topics that your customers will find interesting. For example, there’s a company I follow that sells infrared saunas. In some of their emails, they also cover topics like detoxification… pain relief… and weight loss. All of which are of interest to the type of person who buys an infrared sauna.
#10. “The hammer”
Give your customers info to help them solve their problems. If you’ve got a pest control company, share your expert advice on how to prevent an ant infestation, or how to deal with minor cases. And then tell your customers to give you a call if the ants start to win out and the situation gets out of hand.
And there ya go. if you mix and match these emails, make them a little bit entertaining, a little bit personal, and a little bit useful, then your customers or prospects will happily read them each time you write. And more importantly, they will soon start to respond with their business.
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