If you have a newsletter and are regularly mailing it to your customers, clients, patients, and prospects, congratulations! You’re among the small percentage of entrepreneurs and small business owners that ‘get it’ when it comes to the amazing power of building healthy, strong, committed, dependable, and profitable relationships with their customers.

However, there is one aspect of newsletter marketing that often gets overlooked as most people are just thrilled that their newsletter actually gets done at all! But this one shift can make a huge difference in how many people actually open and read your newsletter in the first place, which as you can imagine is paramount to having it generate more revenue!

Check out my latest episode of Newsletter Guru TV, it’s called “Dependability equals Profitability” and I shot this episode while walking my pal Toby at the lake. During the first few minutes Toby let me know that he had other plans for our walk!

Click here to watch this great episode.

Publishing a monthly customer newsletter is one of the smartest things you can do to grow your business. Nothing is more effective at producing more repeat and referral business. Yet, few people give real thought as to the importance of newsletter design, specifically the name of their newsletter.

The masthead is the major graphic element at the top of the front page of a newsletter and it includes the newsletter title, or name. The masthead should identify your company or graphically let readers know what the newsletter is about. A masthead may include your logo or a symbol that represents your kind of business. For example, a spine is a good symbol for a chiropractor. A professional speaker might be represented by a microphone.

In most cases, the name of your newsletter should not be the name of the company. It should, however, be a name that’s easy to remember, that rolls pleasantly from the tongue, and, along with your graphic of choice, easily conveys what the benefit of reading your newsletter is all about.

The other part of the masthead is the tagline which usually appears at the bottom of the masthead. Think of it as a subtitle. The newsletter title and the tagline should work together. They tell anyone who picks up your newsletter what it’s about. Remember the old expression, “too cute by a half.” What you think is cute and ‘clever’ may leave your readers utterly confused.

To learn more about newsletter design and newsletter marketing strategies, get a copy of my book, The Magic of Newsletter Marketing – The Secret to More Profits and Customers for Life –  available at Amazon and at www.newsletterpublishingmagic.com.

If you’d like to discover the best ‘Done-for-You’ newsletter program ever, check out my No Hassle Newsletter program. With No Hassle Newsletters I give you everything you need to produce a great monthly customer newsletter in about 23 minutes or less! Go to www.nohasslenewsletters.com.

It’s a proven fact that a monthly customer newsletter can help your businesses grow. Here are seven ways a newsletter will help you market and grow your business.

# 1: Newsletters Help Keep Customers

Your current customers hold the best prospect for future growth. Plus, the longer they are customers, the more they are likely to spend with you. A monthly company newsletter helps you stay top-of-mind with your current customers. When your newsletter arrives, your customers start to think about you. Issue after issue, your newsletter reinforces your relationship with your customers and gives you a way to tell them about products and services they may not know about.

# 2: Newsletters Help Get New Customers

You want your newsletter to help you get new customers. Informative articles give your newsletter what marketing pros call “pass-along value.” Your newsletter makes it easy to pass on the information. Because people read newsletters as a publication and not a marketing piece, a newsletter is a great way to tell potential customers about your business.

# 3: Newsletters Help Build Credibility

When people read your brochure, they treat it as a piece of marketing literature. But when they read your newsletter, they read it like a publication. Your newsletter also gives you the opportunity to tell people stories about what you do and how well your products work. You can illustrate the benefits of your product or service with statistics and customer testimonials.

# 4: Newsletters Help You Stand Out from Your Competition

Since you decide the direction and content of each newsletter, you can differentiate yourself from others—especially the larger businesses who typically do not produce customer newsletters.

# 5: Newsletters Enhance Your Reputation

Your customers may not be ready or need your product or service today, but when they are, they want an experienced professional. People want to do business with someone they trust, so when they are ready for what you offer, they’ll turn to you.

# 6: Newsletters Help You Build Your Brand

Branding is the art of making people aware of who you are, what you do, and how you’re different from and better than the competition. You want to have a little bell go off in people’s heads when they hear your name. You want them to say, “Oh yes, they’re the people who . . .” When your newsletter is delivered at the same time each month, it will build up a level of importance. It will help build your brand, which will help your business grow.

# 7: Newsletters Have a Longer Shelf Life than Other Types of Marketing

Newsletters are portable; they go everywhere. Newsletters that are informative, fun, and easy to read are not thrown away. People pass along newsletters to friends, business associates, or even their neighbor. This is a huge benefit of producing a newsletter.

If you listen to some experts in customer relationship marketing they’ll tell you that good ‘old-fashioned’ printed newsletters are “back!” When it comes to tried-and-true marketing tools, those that mean evergreen profits for companies each year, printed newsletters always work. In fact, I don’t believe that printed newsletters are really experiencing a comeback at all because printed newsletters never went away!

There are a few reasons that many entrepreneurs and small-business owners don’t even like to think about printed newsletters. The first is that they think design and layout will be too expensive. Second, they feel that there will be enormous distribution and mailing costs. But the two most popular reasons people give for not producing a monthly print newsletter is that it takes too long and they don’t know what to write about.

So why are printed newsletters still so eternally effective?

• Print is still the preferred way to read larger documents.
• Print doesn’t have to compete with as much “noise” as e-mail does.
• Physical mail can be scanned quickly and the junk thrown away.
• Your customers look forward to it
• They’re not seen as just another sales solicitation
• Newsletters are an effective way to introduce new products and services
• Print newsletters are a highly-effective ‘referral’ tool

Yet another reason that the printed newsletter works well is that it shows the customer that you are successful enough to invest a little bit of money in your business in the form of a print newsletter. It adds credibility to what you say.

After all, anyone with a computer can send email! But sending out your own printed newsletter shows that you are conscientious and reliable, and that you truly value your customers and the relationship you have with them. It instills trust and confidence in your product or service, as well as helping to build lasting bonds between you and your customer.
Customer newsletters are an awesome way to maintain and build relationships with your customers, clients, and prospects. This is the one of the primary reasons your company should start a newsletter. In addition, a properly written newsletter is an awesome way to generate a lot of repeat and referral business.

Here are five quick tips to focus on idea that will surely please your sales manager.
1. Talk about the benefits of purchasing your product or service.
2. Explain to your readers why your product or service is such a good value.
3. Compare a new and improved product to one that they may already own.
4. Point your readers to your Web site for more information.
5. Make sure that your newsletter has a monthly special offer.\
Final tip: When you first start to writer your newsletter, close your eyes and ask yourself the following: “What is important to my customers and what will they enjoy reading about?” If you do this on a regular basis, your newsletter will produce more positive results.

Learn more secrets on how to use a newsletter to boost your business in my book, The Magic of Newsletter Marketing – The Secret to More Profits and Customers for Life.

            The best business newspapers consistently follow the same general layout, with the most important information in the same location every time. The Wall Street Journal is a worthwhile standard to follow because it always places the feature story in an easily accessible location. Subscribers do not have to search through the entire paper to find important information because it is reliably in the same position every time.

            Reliability entails more than just regular monthly delivery; it also requires reliable selection and placement of articles. Inconsistency creates unnecessary work for both the reader and the producer.

            Newspaper formatting should follow the grocery store format. The grocery store is reliable because a customer always knows where to go for his needs and wants. Just as it is inconvenient when the store changes the location of key items, it is also bothersome when a newsletter changes the location of certain articles. Therefore, it is best to maintain the same layout for a newsletter.

            Once the format has been finalized, the content of the newsletter can be selected. All great newsletters include a feature story and other regular features. Newsletters must also have content for the back page and miscellaneous stories of interest. Advertisements and a “letters to the editor” section are also necessary components of successful newspapers.

            In addition to a “letters to the editor” section, there should be a “word from the editor” section.  It only has to be a short composition that can include personal vignettes to give the readers a better picture of the person behind the paper. This section makes the paper more personal, as opposed to being strictly business. Many readers are attracted to the warmth of personality over cold, hard business.

            A successful monthly business newspaper follows the same format but continually changes content to remain up-to-date yet completely reliable.

Learn more newsletter marketing strategies by getting a copy of my book, The Magic of Newsletter Marketing – The Secret to More Profits and Customers for Life and by visiting No Hassle Newsletters.

The back cover of your newsletter is not only your mailing panel. It will be the first thing your subscribers see when they receive it in the mail, so use that space and fill it with information to really grab your reader’s attention. This brings man advantages to your newsletter and helps to ensure your potential customers look through it.

Back covers are so important because most newsletters are designed as self-mailers and are folded with the mailing panel on one side and the prime real estate section on the other. It is called the prime real estate because it will be the first thing your customers see and read, besides the mailing panel, so you need to make a good impression by placing an important message to your readers in that section.

As an example of how to use your back page effectively, consider this usage by and HVAC dealer. The owner wanted to introduce a new product- a whole house generator- to increase his profits. An article was written discussing the benefits of investing in such a generator and included a picture of the machine. It was placed on the back page, and within days of sending it back, the owner received thirteen different calls regarding the product. Since each generator sells for about $6,000, the owner earned a substantial amount of money by sharing his new product with his clients.

The back cover is not only for marketing purposes. Many companies use it as a place to make a personal connection with their customers by sharing personal stories about their life and family. By doing this, they come across as people and not just a money-seeking company. Usually these articles are written in the first person and are addressed directly to the customers through words such as “you” and “your.” Your customers will enjoy this personal connection and read the rest of your newsletter, wondering what else is in store.

Learn more about newsletter design and newsletter marketing at http://www.nohasslenewsletter.com or pickup a copy of Jim’s book, The Magic of Newsletter Marketing at http://www.newsletterpublishingmagic.com.

The entire purpose of generating a monthly newsletter is to establish effective communication with your customers, clients, patients, and prospects.  Effective communication plays a pivotal role in acquiring positive feedback from your customers.  In order for one to convey their personality through their newsletter, establishing communication with customers is integral.

Your way of thinking and speaking should be conveyed through your writing style.  Charisma and personality are pivotal ingredients readers look for in newsletters.  If you have those two ingredients you can almost guarantee yourself a steady customer base.

Speaking in first person is the most effective way to write conversationally.  It is important to use the word “you” as much as possible, and it is also a good idea to include personal examples rather than ones that are general.  For example, “In this month’s issue we have an included an offer specifically for valued customers like you.”  This type of writing style instills a special connection with your customers.

Once I was skimming through a newsletter for Endless Vacations and found an article about cruises.  I thought, “Wow this is great!  I’ve got to tell my wife about this tonight!”

They wrote the article in Q & A interview format, which was convenient because I was able to pick out the questions and answers I was interested in.

I think it’s important that I cite a few of them because I think it will illustrate my point even further.  This article is about ocean liners.

The conversational tone and writing was very personable and kept my interest.  It was as if someone was talking to me through the article.  One of many questions that caught my attention was about sea sickness.  It said, Question: “I’ve heard that crossings are often rough.  Will I get seasick?”  For the answer the article spoke about giant efficient stabilizers on the ship that reduced rocking up to 85%.  Passengers on board would feel little more than gentle rocking with waves as big as twenty feet.

Another question that caught my attention was “Uh-oh, the waves are actually getting pretty rough out here.  And I’m feeling a little punk.  Now what?”  This type of writing style reflects the personality of the author.  The article is also very informative with over the counter remedies that prevent seasickness.

Here is the last question I will cite.  “I’ve never cruised because I’m afraid I’ll feel trapped.”  The answer was very humorous.  It said, “Excuse me, but have you seen the size of these ships?”

The Q&A style is an excellent example of establishing rapport utilizing conversational tone and knowledgeable information, and the same time entertaining the reader in a more intimate way.

Utilizing the Q&A style for your articles in your newsletter templates is an excellent idea.  You can prompt the answers you want in interviews by creating questions in this format.  You can hone this skill by doing mock interviews with people you know.’’

Readers love writing with charisma and personality.  Your customers will keep subscribing to your newsletter as long as it contains these two important ingredients.

It’s a proven fact that e-newsletters make businesses succeed. Here are seven sure-fire ways to make a great newsletter and increase your profits:

#1: Newsletters Maintain Customers
When looking to expand your business, your current customers offer the best foundation. The longer they are your customers and enjoy your products, the more likely they are to continue doing business with you. A company e-newsletter sent out every month keeps your business on their mind. When they see your newsletters in their inbox, they start to think of your company more often and each issue creates a stronger bond between yourself and your customers, supplying them with information about your goods and services that may be unknown to them.

#2: Newsletter Get New Customers
Enlightening articles in your newsletters come with a “pass-along value” that makes it easy for your customers to pass on information to their friends and family. Since the main objective of your newsletter is to get new customers, this trait is invaluable. Since newsletters are not marketing ploys but rather publications, they are great for telling possible clients about your business.

#3: Newsletters Bring Credibility
People read company brochures like marketing literature, but read newsletters as real publications. Your newsletters allow you to explain to your audience how well your products work, and sometimes even information about yourself or your business to give them real inside stories. By illustrating the benefits of your products and/or services through true customer stories and statistics, your company will start to gain credibility among your readers.

#4: Newsletters Make You Stand Out
Since everything from the layout to the text of your newsletter is under your control, you can really be creative and make it your own. This allows you to distinguish yourself from your competition, especially larger companies.

#5: Newsletters Improve Your Reputation
Although your customers may not need your services and products right now, your company will be the first they think of when they do. People want to conduct business with professionals they trust, and your newsletter will create the trust that they need.

#6: Newsletters Build Your Brand
Brands make people aware of your company, your products, your services, and what makes you different from your competitors. Your newsletter, delivered at the same time each month, builds up your brand name and helps your business to grow, since it will make people notice that you are around and a viable option for products and services that they need.

#7: Newsletters Last Longer
Newsletters go everywhere. Funny, easy to read, informative newsletters are not usually thrown away, and your customers pass them along to friends and associates, expanding your business and is probably the biggest benefit to creating a newsletter. Learn more by visiting http://www.nohasslenewsletters.com

Consistency is your top priority. A successful company newsletter arrives to the customer on a timely and predictable timeframe. Your customer should expect to receive his or her informative newsletter on a monthly basis, usually within the same 2-3 days period. Consistency is more important than the size of the newsletter or its even overall aesthetic appeal.

Consistency is a neglected aspect of newsletter marketing that many marketers fail to achieve. Without consistency you can’t have a successful newsletter. Frequency and consistency are essential to building trust and healthy long term relationships.

A way to think about the importance of consistency is to compare it to magazine publications and junk mail. Magazines arrive on a consistent monthly basis while all junk mail arrives sporadically. It’s not hard to see what group you want your newsletter to be lumped with.

Perceived higher value is strongly correlated to newsletters that are published on a monthly basis. This enables your customers to trust your publication and look forward to receiving them. In addition, a healthy and productive work environment develops when you publish your newsletter on a monthly basis. Your team will know the rhythm and folkways of the work day if you establish clear consistency in the publication of your newsletter. Your teammates will know what needs to be done at specific deadlines in order to keep your customers satisfied.

Consistency will formulate into expectations for high quality publications. Your customers will be able to count on hearing from you and reading your informative, palatable, and witty newsletter. Your regular schedule will benefit your other marketing efforts as well. If you have a special sales promotion planned, you can alert people in the newsletter for two months prior to the event. Your promotions will be spearheaded by your newsletter when promotion time arrives.

Consistency is the most vital aspect of successful company newsletters. Send them on a predictable timetable. Sending your newsletters on a consistent monthly basis allows you to build better customer relations and solidify and expand your customer base.

In the world of online shopping, it ca be difficult to get customers to buy what you are selling. Websites such as EBay and Amazon.com require large amounts of patience, effort, and perseverance, and having your own website takes even more. When potential customers come to your website, is when the real work starts. It is your job to convince them that your products are the finest quality, worth their hard earned money, and that they can trust you with their information. One of the best ways to sell more, and it works very well – is to publish your own newsletter. For the best results, follow these steps while writing your custom newsletters:

1. Find a common problem.  Audiences are more likely to pay more attention to you if you discuss problems that they are dealing with. Visit online chat rooms, blogs, and communities and read about current problems many people are facing in their daily lives. Research these problems and write in these communities about them, giving other readers all of the information that you have found. Put some heart into your work and empathize with your readers by putting yourself in their shoes.

2. Explain how they can fix their problems. Use your new found knowledge to explain to your readers why they need to solve their problems, what it would take, and how to do it. Tell real-life stories about people that have overcome similar adversities, including previous customers. Testimonials from customers can really give your newsletter an edge because it will demonstrate that the solutions you are suggesting really do work.

3. Be subtle.  Do not end your newsletters by pushing your product. If you do, readers will feel like they have to buy from you or that all your advice was just a way to sell your product. Readers hate to waste their time reading articles that, although seem helpful, were just used to jam a product down their throat. However, if you are subtle in your approach, your chances of making a sale will increase dramatically. Just give a brief explanation about what your product does and what the benefits of owning it are by demonstrating that your products really work and have helped out others similar to your reader. In other words, tell, don’t sell!

Newsletter templates are one of the many tools that can assist you in creating newsletters quickly and cost effectively. To take it a step further, you can harness the power of service providers like www.nohasslenewsletters.com who provide you with ready-made newsletter templates, design, formatted and filled with professionally written copy. All you need to do is drop your logo and company information and press the send button.