I know I must sound like a broken record by now: Work smarter, not harder.
I’m speaking from experience. As soon as you get your systems in place, running your business (and balancing all the other aspects of life) will get easier. I promise!
But sometimes we over complicate “systems.” The very idea of a system is to simplify and streamline so be careful of making systems to0 complicated. That’s when they don’t work.
Today we’re talking about planning all of your newsletters for the year. To do this we need a plan (aka: system)
But before you start planning, let’s make sure we’re in the right headspace.
How to get your newsletters ignored
Do not, I repeat DO NOT send out newsletters just to send out newsletters. What do I mean by that? Don’t send crap.
Have you ever received a crappy gift (or given one — come on, we’ve all done it)? You opened it and you were like, “This isn’t me at all? Did they just have this lying around? Did they regift this to me?” It doesn’t feel good.
Your content, your newsletters, your freebies… Give good gifts. The kind they can’t wait to open.
Your newsletters need to come from a place of value (of LOVE for your audience) – NOT – because you’re just trying to check it off the list. You’re either teaching your audience to look for you or ignore you.
Newsletters
Now, let’s talk about the details of your newsletter. When it comes to writing newsletters there are a few aspects to consider. And as soon as you let yourself go down the rabbit hole—
- How often should I send one? (Either weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. Choose what you can manage and be consistent).
- What am I going to say this time? (8 out of every 10 should be high value. AKA: I’m saying something I think can help my ideal customer).
- Are they getting sick of hearing from me? (If you send junk, yes! If you send value, no.)
- Am I not showing up often enough? (Just be consistent.)
It’s your job to show up for your email list. They have too much going on to remember to come find you!
One: Choose an email hosting service
There are a lot of options out there. I chose Flodesk because it is simple to use and they have a lot of really nice template options. Their design aesthetic is right up my alley. Plus, it offers a lot more than just an email service. You can filter your audience into different categories and customize certain content for certain groups. Create sequences? Yes! Create opt-in forms? Yep! It’s not the most robust option out there but that’s why the price is so great.
Here’s why I switched all my clients to FloDesk. To see a FloDesk sequence in action, join my newsletter list. You can use my affiliate link, to get 50% off your Flodesk subscription.
Two: Brainstorm your plan
I have a free printable for you that will make planning a breeze.
I’m a pen on paper kind of gal, so seeing a plan written out makes my heart happy.
Brainstorm everything you can offer to your audience. What kind of value can you bring them? Could be: Tips & tricks. Behind the scenes. Something new you tried.
Once you have your ideas nailed down, fill in the sheet and see the plan for your entire year. Then take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back because you’ve made serious progress.
Three: Schedule it
Not everyone is going to have the same schedule as you and that’s ok. It would be great to get a weekly newsletter out, but if that feels like too much, go for monthly. Consistency is key!
I have been sending out weekly newsletters for a while now. I plan for the same day and time each week, which helps me stay on track.
Make sure that you share content that your audience finds valuable, and they will always be happy to see you show up in their inbox, whether it’s once a month or once a week.
Now that you have a calendar and your ideas, who’s ready to create a year’s worth of email newsletters?
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