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Are Newsletters Still Important?

Some time ago, I posed the question: Do newsletters help you attract new business?

The response was great...and also very helpful.

So I decided to ask it again, this time to help me decide if I should consider developing my own newsletter.

Keeping In Touch

Has the growth of blogging and social media, such as Twitter and Facebook reduced the use ...and usefulness of newsletters?

In the past, newsletters have been ideal ways to keep in touch with clients and contacts...but at intervals ranging from monthly to annually.

In today's instant world, I wonder how effective newsletters...as less frequent communications...can be.

Certainly from marketing perspective, newsletters can help get your message out...but is anyone paying attention to your message?

How do your clients feel about about your newsletters?

Time to stop wondering...and get some answers to my questions...but I need your help.

Please take a few minutes to answer these questions. Simply answer the questions in the comment box at the bottom of this posting.

After a week or so, I'll consolidate the responses into some kind of a summary and post this summary.

The Questions

Question 1: Do you send newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

Question 2: Do you read newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

Question 3: What benefit do you receive from sending newsletters?

Question 4: How do you feel about receiving newsletters?

I also encourage you to forward this posting to our colleagues and invite them to pass on their thoughts as well.

It seems to me that if I am having these questions about newsletters, other people must also be asking the same or similar things.

So let's stop pondering the questions...and come up with some answers that will help all of us.

One final comment on newsletters...to learn more about the relative advantages and disadvantages click here.

It might help you formulate your answers.

Posted by Larry Easto on 07/28/2009 07:07 AM

Comments (8)

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8 Comments on Are Newsletters Still Important?

JUL

2009

Hi Larry, I'm still doing newsletters. So here it goes:

1. Both. To save postage, I email them as much as I can. Some of my customers who don't have email receive a hard copy.

2. Both. In electronic newsletters, I usually will not click on links to continue reading an article unless it is very compelling whereas with hard copy newsletters, the entire article is in front of me and I can scan over it or spend more time on it whichever.

3. Staying in touch with my customer base which has supplied me with referrals and repeat business over time.

4. I do like them!

Question 1: Do you send newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

I hand deliver 103 hard copy newsletters to the homeowners in my HOA. These are from the toolkit on the ORHP.com website and I personalize the 1/3 of the back page where the return address and mailing address would go. I also send a monthly electronic newsletter to everyone in my database via AnyPresentations.com.

Question 2: Do you read newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

It depends on the topics. Those articles that interest me, I read, otherwise I toss or delete.

Question 3: What benefit do you receive from sending newsletters?

It keeps me in front of the people in my database and my neighborhood. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

Question 4: How do you feel about receiving newsletters?

Again, it depends on the content. If it's relevant to me, I enjoy receiving newsletters. There should be an opt-out feature on any electronic newsletter.

Question 1: Do you send newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

I am actually in the process of putting one together for distribution. I am doing it because I feel it is a great way to show creditability and to the education process of who you are trying to market to.

Question 2: Do you read newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

I read the ones that capture my attention, because just as I am trying to educate others and show my value, I also need to be educated and see others value.

Question 3: What benefit do you receive from sending newsletters?

Will let you know. I hope to generate referral business and lasting network relations.

Question 4: How do you feel about receiving newsletters?

I have no problem with recieving them, if I don't find value I will hit delete or throw it out.

1. I am considering developing one, but do not currently send one.

2. Like the others, it depends on the content. I'm more likely to read a hard-copy format than I will an electronic one. Too easy to hit delete.

3. So far ... none

4. I like to get GOOD newsletters. Just sending a newsletter to send one without a lot of new informaiton is a waste of money. But if you can localize and make it all relevent ... then you've got a winner.

Question 1: Do you send newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

I send both to different groups within my data base. I also hand deliver my local ones which helps keep me in front of them and allows me to provide them with a small fun gift for Canada Day, or Valentine's Day etc. Many of my older clients do not have computers and they appreciate the hard copy being delivered.

Question 2: Do you read newsletters in either hard-copy or electronic format? Why or why not?

I read anything I can get my hands on so I might not be the most objective!

Question 3: What benefit do you receive from sending newsletters?

I receive many referrals from my newsletters. They are informative and colourful and of course, hand written on the newsletter, I ask each month, who do they know who's buying or selling in the next 30 days.

Question 4: How do you feel about receiving newsletters?

If they are good quality, I'm pleased. If they're trash, into the bin they go

JUL

2009

Larry,

We do them occasionally; it's a good lead generator. I like getting them to know what the other guy is doing.

JUL

2009

I do not do newsletters but have wanted to for a very long time. I just don't have time to sit down and write them and would be embarrassed to send them a generic.

AUG

2009

I do not do newletters. I am like Evelyn; there is just not enough hours in the day. I do plan to do them someday, when both children are grown..:) nice post.. thank you for sharing!

www.charlottelakewyliehomes.com

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Larry Easto

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