Archive for e-newsletters

Compelling Newsletter Content:
2 Big Problems

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, October 4th, 2016

newsletter-contentFrom what I see, many small business professionals struggle with writing compelling newsletter content. It’s not easy. You need to be interesting, personal, AND remind them of your products and services.Try too hard to do both… you end up confusing and losing readers.

The trick to creating compelling newsletter content is simple:

You’ve got to connect with readers in emotional ways and offer solutions to their problems. 

When I’m working with my clients on their newsletters, I often find one of two problems (or both): lack of clarity and lack of connection. Read More→

Categories : Content Marketing, Email Marketing Tips, On Writing Better, Writing Better Ezines
Tags : , ,

Managing Your Newsletter Email List:
5 Must-Do’s

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, September 19th, 2016

Email-list

When it comes to creating or growing your newsletter email list, you need to stay on top of managing it so it brings you clients.

Successful small business professionals don’t have a lot of time on their hands, but they understand the importance of staying in contact with their prospects and clients. Sending newsletters with relevant useful information is a great way to keep connected, but it needs to be done as efficiently as possible. Creating a newsletter email list is no exception.

Here are five things you must do to manage your email list effectively: Read More→

Categories : Email Marketing Tips, How to...Tips, List Building Tips
Tags : , , , ,

Great Newsletters:
5 Must-Haves for Better Design

By Patsi Krakoff
Tuesday, September 6th, 2016


eNewsletterHave you noticed what great business newsletters have in common?  They’re easily scannable; that is to say, you can easily scan the newsletter to determine the topic, the key message and what action the writer wants you to take.

That’s why newsletter design is so important.

I’ve been writing about business newsletters (relevancy and branding), and great newsletters also have a lot of thought put into design and layout. 

When readers receive your newsletter the first time, is it easy to understand what it’s about? Is it easy to read? And is it easy to find information they’re looking for? Or, do they get distracted by too many words, images or stuff, so they flee? Read More→

Categories : Email Marketing Tips, Ezines We Love, Writing Better Ezines
Tags : ,

Your Business Newsletter:
What’s Your Brand Personality?

By Patsi Krakoff
Thursday, August 25th, 2016

Newsletter-BrandsWhen it comes to a business newsletter, your brand is perceived in a blink of an eye.

As I shared in my last post, your newsletter should build trust and confidence with your readers. It should include tips and information that invites your prospects and clients to take action. Your newsletter is a representation of you and your business. It’s a part of your brand.

Read More→

Categories : Ezines We Love, Getting Read, How to...Tips
Tags : , , , ,

Business Newsletters:
Is Your Newsletter Still Relevant?

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, August 19th, 2016

Business-NewsletterI am frequently asked if business newsletters are still relevant, or if blogs, social media, and videos have replaced them.  My response? When done well, a newsletter is very important for staying in touch with clients and prospects and a great way to build credibility and trust. In spite of all the other social media outlets, e-newsletters and printed newsletters get results.

In fact, when I ask clients if they’re getting results from their e-newsletter — if it’s worth the time, effort and money — professionals say:

“I just met with the COO at a company where I’ve been coaching. He told me that the employees (the ones I coach) forward him my newsletter. He said, ‘They want me to read it because they feel the content is often pertinent to what’s going on at the company.’ There are over 100 employees at this company and I’ll soon be asking if I can send everyone my newsletter.” Read More→

Categories : Content Marketing, Writing Better Ezines
Tags : , ,

How Authentic is Your Blog Writing?… And,
How Do You Write Authentically?

By Patsi Krakoff
Sunday, May 10th, 2015

AuthenticAll the data shows that people prefer doing business with authentic brands and authentic professionals. But how authentic is your blog writing? Do you sound authentic? And, how do you write authentically, anyway?

In my last blog post, I shared 5-steps for a good bio/marketing message for an e-newsletter:

  • Tell them who you are and what you can do to help solve their challenges.
  • Let them know what kinds of people you work with, and how long you’ve been helping them.
  • Don’t try to sound too good. People have antennae for hyperbole.
  • Read your bio out loud to see if it sounds authentic.

The problem is that when you try to write authentically, it’s difficult to know what exactly to do. What makes blog writing sound real, sound authentic? Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, Blogs We Love, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content
Tags : , , , ,

Best Kept Secret of an Email Newsletter Bio

By Patsi Krakoff
Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

Email-NewsletterWhat’s the best kept secret of a newsletter bio? As I mentioned in my last post, your bio on your blog or website About page should be current and tell a story, rather than be a resume written in the third person. The same is true for an email newsletter bio.

Unfortunately, I see many coaches and consultants use their resumes for their sidebar bio. (“Dr. Smith has 20 years experience in strategic planning and holds an MBA from Harvard, etc.”)

Then there are those who go to the other extreme: They tell too much about their achievements and come across like an ego-maniac.

While everyone wants to know about who you are as the author of an email newsletter, mostly they want to know “what’s in it for me.” (WIIFM) Read More→

Categories : How to...Tips, On Writing Better, Story Telling, Writing Better Ezines
Tags : , , , , , , ,

Business Newsletter Tips: Don’t be the Grinch this Holiday

By Patsi Krakoff
Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

If I’ve said it once, I’veBizBook-Nuggets said it a thousand times: your business newsletter content must solve problems for your readers or help them meet a need.  So, if your newsletter topic is something that you can’t cover in an e-newsletter, don’t be the Newsletter Grinch: give it the attention it deserves and cover it properly on a blog page.  Your audience will appreciate your attention to detail, as long as you provide value.

In my previous blog post, I shared tips to get your business newsletter read, specifically, how to grab attention with a compelling subject line and headline. But once you get your readers to open your email newsletter, make sure they keep reading by offering compelling, relevant information.

For example, I create and distribute a newsletter called Biz Book Nuggets (if you haven’t subscribed, you can sign up in the upper right corner of this page.)  This newsletter includes insights gathered from all the leadership business books I read. Read More→

Categories : How to...Tips, Managing Your Ezine & Blog Tasks, Writing Better Ezines
Tags : ,

Tips to Get Your Business Newsletter Read

By Patsi Krakoff
Thursday, December 11th, 2014

eNewsletter 10 TEALDoes anyone read your business e-newsletter?  How do you get your clients and prospects to open that email? In a previous post, I asked if you were sending a holiday newsletter for your business. Here are a few timeless tips to help you get your newsletter read.

Grab Attention with a Compelling Subject Line and Headline

Remember that the singular purpose of a subject line is to get readers to open the mail. The purpose of the headline is to get people to start reading. That’s it.

Research has found that the most compelling subject and headlines cater to:

  1. The three greatest human goals: to make or save time, effort or money
  2. The three greatest human desires: lust, greed or comfort
  3. The three greatest human teasers: curiosity, scarcity or controversy

Read More→

Categories : Attracting Clients, Email Marketing Tips, Getting Read, How to...Tips
Tags : , ,

Should You Send Holiday Newsletters?

By Patsi Krakoff
Thursday, November 20th, 2014
eNewsletter

Shortcuts to Newsletters

Are you sending holiday newsletters for your business? Even though you may be tempted to put all your time and energy into maintaining your business blog, a newsletter is still a vital, viable way to stay connected to clients and prospects. Holiday newsletters are a great opportunity.

Don’t take my word for it. Ask other professionals if they’re getting results from sending out an emailed newsletter, for the holidays, or any time of year, and then judge for yourself if it’s worth the time and effort (and money).

Here’s a great example of what I hear: Read More→

Categories : Article Ideas, Content Marketing, Email Marketing Tips, How to...Tips
Tags : , ,
Next Page »

Content for Coaches and Consultants

Serenity Virtual Assistant Services

Social Buzz Club

get your bright idea known