Are you a service-based business owner wondering how email marketing would work for your business? Here’s how you can use email marketing to grow your business. Plus, I’m giving away a free worksheet to plan your email content!
When you’re a small business owner, it might seem like email marketing is just one more thing that you don’t have time for.
But what if I told you that you don’t have time not do it?
Answer this for me.
Do you want to …
Increase sales?
Connect with more clients?
Reach a wider network of people?
Bring additional value to your current client list?
Then email marketing is for your service-based business!
Some people wonder if email marketing really works so let’s just answer that before we get to the 5 email marketing ideas.
A recent study found that in 2018, 17.75% of emails where people clicked on a link resulted in a purchase.
What’s super-interesting about that is that since 2016, that number has only grown each year. So there you go--we know it works! When people click on links in your emails, they’re prone to purchase.
Now that there’s no longer a question of if it works, you’re probably thinking, “Okay, email marketing might work for me. But I’m a service-based business so what in the world am I supposed to put in my emails?”
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
First, let’s get clear on one thing. I’m not suggesting you email your list every week asking them to buy from you. That’s a really quick way to get them to unsubscribe from your emails and diminish the effectiveness of your email marketing.
Instead, look at your emails as a way to provide value and serve the people on your list. And then, yes, threaded in those valuable emails, you’ll give opportunities to get in touch and buy your services.
Serving well is why the first thing I want you to do is think about your clients.
What kinds of questions do you get a lot? What’s going on in your industry that’s relevant to your current and potential clients? What are some ways you can touch on what matters to your clients in an email?
Keeping all of that in mind, I recommend you start by making a list of four or five topics of content. And then list your specific email ideas under each topic. So, when you go to write an email, you’ll use each of these topics as a theme for each email.
The topic ideas can vary greatly, depending on your business. To get you going, here are some topics you can use to plan your email marketing.
5 Email Marketing Ideas for Your Service-based Business
1. Inspiration—What’s inspiring you lately that might also inspire your clients as it relates to your business or industry?
2. Before and After—Everyone loves a transformation story. Share a story of your clients that showcases a before and after. For example, their life or house or business, etc. before working with you and then how those things are better now that they’ve worked with you.
3. Trends—What’s trending in your industry? If you’re in the nutrition and exercise world, this might address trending diets such as the popular ketogenic diet, or it could be something fun like trending workout wear.
4. Tips & Tricks—What’s a quick and easy win that you can give them? Think about a trick of the trade or a tip that can make their lives easier.
5. Offers & Specials—Do you have a special offer to share such as a free consultation? This is also a great way to share a seasonal sale or limited time offer.
Okay, now it’s time to give you a real-life example to drive this home. Let’s pretend you’re an interior designer. Here’s what that topic and email idea list might look like.
Designer Inspiration—Share a list of your favorite places to visit for inspiration. Include pictures and ask those on the list to reply back with what inspires them.
Before and Afters—Showcase your own work with home or room transformations using great before and after photos. Maybe even introduce them to the clients in order to personalize it a little.
Color Trends—Become the go-to source of what’s trending in design, specifically for the types of spaces you design. What colors are hot now and how can clients easily implement those in their home, office, or business?
Design Tips & Tricks—Share tips for how to pick the right pillows for your couch or ideas for how to make the most of your small space.
Offers & Specials—Provide a “Get Decluttered” special for closet design. Or you could even partner with local vendors you use to provide discounts to your list in exchange for referrals.
I bet after reading these 5 ideas, you’ve got even more ideas coming to mind. See, your service-based business can do email marketing!
So, go ahead and take five minutes and do this exercise for your own business.
In fact, I’ve created a free email marketing worksheet just for you!
Email marketing works because it keeps you connected to people. Remember, people buy from people. And specifically, they buy from people they know, like, and trust.
The more you show up in their inbox with emails they actually want to open up and read, the more they’re going to know, like, and trust you.
And yes, that means they’ll be much more likely to buy from you when you have an offer on the table (or in their inbox) and when they need your services.