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Local Newsjacking For More Local Visibility

Did you know that 99% of consumers check their email every day?  Moreover, email marketing is the greatest driver of customer retention for 80% of retail professionals, and 87% of marketers use email campaigns to nurture their audiences. With stats like these, it’s clear why building an email list is crucial for any local business. How about a few anonymous examples (some online social media digging would likely unmask the anonymity) of some short wins where a local business turned their email list into a new profit stream? Building a local email list can be a game-changer for many local businesses. Here are some real-life examples of businesses that saw great results: Restaurant in Pittsburgh A local restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh started collecting email addresses from their customers and sending weekly newsletters with special promotions, menu updates, and upcoming events. This helped the restaurant build a loyal customer base and boost their sales. Personally, I would advise an Akzis VIP client to take it one step further by creating a secret email list subscriber-only menu with two selections featured at a time that must be ordered using a secret phrase shared only with subscribers. My team would also advise the restaurant owner to put together dishes that maximize profit based on unused supply in stock. Clothing Boutique in Ann Arbor A small boutique clothing store in Ann Arbor, Michigan used social media to promote their email list and offer a discount to customers who signed up. They then used email marketing to promote new arrivals, seasonal sales, and exclusive discounts to their subscribers, resulting in a significant increase in online and in-store sales. I would take it one step further and offer an annual subscriber-only, after-hours event held at the store where admission is granted only upon the digital confirmation of the attendees’ email address as a subscriber. The event could feature a charity auction tie-in for local visibility (and to help the community) as well as appetizers and drinks and a sneak peek of the latest trends and/or products. Gym in Bismarck A local gym in Bismarck created an email list and used it to send workout tips, nutrition advice, and motivational messages to their subscribers. They also sent out exclusive offers and discounts on personal training sessions and gym memberships, which helped them retain customers and attract new ones. Coffee Shop in Bangor A Bangor, Maine neighborhood coffee shop, with plenty of much-larger competitors, created an email list and used it to promote their weekly coffee tastings, game nights and live music events. They also offered a free cup of coffee to new subscribers, which helped them build their list quickly and attract more customers to their shop. Bookstore in Denver A local bookstore in Denver with several locations used their email list to send locally focused book recommendations, unique author interviews, and updates on upcoming book signings and events. This helped them build a community of book lovers and boost their sales both online and in-store, which, so far, has kept their independent stores popular and thriving in a very difficult time.

If you're a local business owner looking for a new way to connect with your customers, offering a newsletter is a smart choice. Newsletters provide a powerful way to build relationships, drive sales, and increase website traffic. The experts here at Akzis VIP have a unique outlook on newsletters. We recommend that you create a compelling email newsletter and send it the same day each week. But, when a major holiday or huge seasonal sales period is approaching, include a quick note to your subscribers that your business is going to send out a very exclusive and special old-school version of your email newsletter directly to their home mailbox, and they need to do is provide their address. This classic newsletter will include valuable information, news, and a special offer for your products or services that they won’t want to miss. Of course, it’s free to receive and only available to addresses in your service area.  You’ll be amazed at how many of your email subscribers sign up to receive such an unexpected throwback style of promotion. You’ll be even more surprised when you enjoy what that special promotion does for your sales! Now, getting back to the topic at hand… Here are 10 reasons why your local business should offer a newsletter: