Why & how to start an email autoresponder series foryour online store

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This is a guest post from Aeolidia.com

If you do any kind of business online, it’s crazy not tohave an email mailing list. We’ve talked about this onthe Aeolidia blog before, and here is the quickrundown of why:

No algorithm is going to filter your email awayfrom your reader (unless it’s super spammy!)

People check their email every day, often manytimes.

People are likely paying more attention to theiremail than to social media streams.

If people don’t act on your email right away, it willstill be in their inbox to look at later.

It’s easier to provide a personal experiencethrough email.

So yes, you need a mailing list – but ugh! Coming upwith fresh content can be hard. What about your new subscribers? You want them to see your absolutebest stuff, not whatever quick email message you jotted off this week. Maybe you wrote something justbrilliant last week that the new folks will never see.

Well, good news! There’s a way you can sit down and do some preparation now to create “evergreen”content for your mailing list. New people will get to know you in the way you want them to, and they will getyour best information while they’re still interested.

Setting up an email autoresponder seriesMost mailing list providers will allow you to set up automated emails (also called automation,autoresponders or email drips). I prefer MailChimp, and they have great tools for automation. You candecide when to send an email based on when someone subscribes. For instance, by sending an email theday they sign up, one next Tuesday, and one three weeks from when they joined.

There are a lot of things you can use automated emails for:

Sending a coupon code

New subscribers could be send a “thank you” discount code. You could even offer a special deal or offeron a schedule.

Introducing yourself and/or your business in detail

What’s special about your business that would hook someone new? A favorite story that charms anddelights? Something to make you seem relatable.

Sharing favorite past newsletters or blog posts

If you spent the time to write something that people loved, don’t let it disappear! Show it to your newsubscribers as they sign up, either as a standalone email, or a list of favorites they shouldn’t miss.

Showing off your best products

Prepare an email with more information and detail about your showstopper product(s). This could be aseries of emails.

Sharing customer testimonials or reviews

Do you get great feedback from customers? You can add these to your automated emails to increaseinterest.

Explaining more about your process or products

Is there something unique about how you make your products, where they’re made, or who they support?Let your customer in on the backstory so they can feel like a part of your world.

Providing tools or information

Is there helpful content you could send out that relates to your business? This can be valuable, and part ofthe draw to sign up for your list, if you advertise what you offer. For example, a jeweler could send aprintable ring sizer, a stationer could offer a free printable card, or a yarn dyer could send instructions forknitting.

Email automation saves time and sells your work

It’s great to know that even when you’re busy working away on some other part of your business that yourautomated email series is off doing its job, making sure everyone gets the right info, and taking thepressure off of you. Now that your regular email updates don’t need to be perfect for new subscribers, youcan keep them short and sweet and perhaps send them more often.

Particularly if you run your business on your own, any smart way to free up time while continuing to marketyour work is a gem!

If you’d like, you can sign up for the Aeolidia email newsletter below to see how I have set up myautoresponder. It’s full of great information for product-based businesses, and I’d love to talk to you aboutyour email list.

What about you? Do you have a newsletter? What questions do you have about email marketing?

This is a guest post from Arianne at Aeolidia. Arianne runs Aeolidia, a web and graphic design studio thathas been working with creative handmakers and designers since 2004, helping them put their best footforward online. Arianne’s creative business newsletter is timely, helpful, and includes information you maynot have thought of. Her tips on making improvements yourself are simple to take action on, and canimprove sales and create interest in your business. Subscribe to get free help from an industry expert »