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If you don’t have an email list for your craft business, this article is for you. While a mailing list may seem like another ‘to do’, email lists are the easiest way to reach your current and future customers.
Social Media & Search Engine Algorithms
To understand why email lists are so great, you have to understand why search engines and social media can be limiting. Both search engines and social media are controlled by algorithms.
Algorithms are the behind the scenes formulas that run search engine results and social media sites. If you’ve been on social media for a while, you know that these algorithms are constantly tweaked and updated. When an algorithm is changed, you’ll have to learn how to best work the new algorithm. Of course, this takes time. In addition to time, your craft business may be seen less on the network.
Search engines work using algorithms, too. After an algorithm change, you may notice your products or website pages aren’t as visible to customers as they once were.
What’s So Great About Email Lists?
Now, imagine a world without algorithms. Wouldn’t it be nice to simply have a direct line of communication with your current and future customers? Fortunately, when you use an email list, that’s exactly what you get! You don’t have to learn new systems. You can just keep on reaching your customers!
Email List Providers
Maintaining mailing lists can be a huge chore. However, there are several services that make mailing lists easy. I use two different mailing list providers: MailChimp and ConvertKit. I love them both, but here are some facts to help you decide which one will work best for your craft business:
- Mailchimp
- Easy to use with lots of help and guidance right on the site.
- Free for up to 2,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.
- ConvertKit
- More features and better workflow than Mailchimp.
- Better suited to those using incentives (like freebies) to get customers to sign up.
- Free trial for 14 days.
After you choose a mailing list provider, you’ll need to write content for your newsletter. If you are stuck on what to write about, here are some ideas.
15 Email List Topic Ideas for Craft Businesses
- New products or designs
- Upcoming public sales (Available to anyone that visits your store, shop, or site.)
- Exclusive sales (Available only to email list subscribers; usually promoted through a coupon code.)
- Free shipping promotions
- Company news and announcements (Have you expanded selling in other places lately? Are you closing for a vacation?)
- Upcoming schedule for craft shows, fairs, or other events
- Customer testimonials
- Question and answer sessions/FAQ (Example: How does a custom order work?)
- Contests or giveaways that you have running
- Behind the scenes at your company
- Short lists of best sellers that coordinate with the holiday/season/or common event (Graduation parties, Mother’s Day, Summer, Christmas)
- Spotlight a single product. Highlight the cost, the available designs, and showcase photos of the product being used in different settings.
- Share things that inspire you to create products
- Simple DIY projects or tutorials for your email subscribers
- Changes to your store or shop policies, newsletters, etc.
Consistency is a Must
Before you go, I want to leave you with one more piece of advice: Be consistent. If you send out a newsletter each week, be sure it is sent each week. In contrast, if you sent out a newsletter every three months, don’t start sending it once a week unless you notify subscribers ahead of time.
Reading this around the holidays? I’ve also got a list of email subjects for Christmas.