Mailing list and newsletter?

[mleroy1989]

Hey everyone.

Does anyone use or have thoughts on using a mailing list? I`ve heard from others in unrelated fields that`s newsletters are great to keep in touch and encourage business.

Curious as to what you guys think one should include in a once or twice a month newsletter. My idea was to have three separate, short sections.

1: tips on how clients can maintain, improve or prevent damage to their vehicle on their own.

2: education on what we can do/when to call.

3: spotlight a vehicle we did recently.

Any thoughts are appreciated, and if you have any ideas for tips to include please let me know!

[RaysWay]

That`s a great idea. I remember Trouble made a great suggestion awhile ago on contacting old clients. Here`s the suggestion:



For your newsletter, maybe have a section highlighting new products or tools you`ve added to the shop to entice customers. Example: "NEW Addition to the shop: Mytee HP60 Hot Water Extractor!" With some info on the tool and the benefits the new tool will make to your customers and their car. You can do the same thing with wax or any other type of car care product.

[Beemerboy]

The national numbers for return on investment for mass mailing is less than one percent..putting flyers on cars would produce about the same amount..word of mouth and networking would be about the best

[mleroy1989]

Thanks for the replies!

Vega, that`s a great idea Trouble had. I`ll definitely try to incorporate that into my efforts of getting return customers.

Beemer, I planned on using Mailchimp for my email newsletter which is a free newsletter service so the only investment is my time. I`m also not directly trying to obtain new customers from the newsletter. While I have a sign up form on the website, the newsletter would be directed more towards clients that have had service in the past. I know everything in marketing is designed to bring more revenue and customers. My intention would be to establish a better relationship with my current clients by helping them help themselves and educating them on how our business can help them. I don`t just want clients - I want clients to see that we are commitment to them, not just as another paying job.

I`m not lacking on jobs at the moment. I just want to build a more loyal and happy customer base.

From my current advertising methods (all free now) I`ve had great results. The best is the facebook page (also a lot of quotes that never schedule though, as well.) I`d say i`m getting 40% from Facebook, 40% word of mouth, 10% google searches leading to the website and 10% from being seen in public.

Thanks again for the help!

[MooreImpressive]

a quarterly newsletter is actually a very interesting idea. a family member of mine is a real estate agent in an upscale area and she sends out monthly or bi-monthly newsletters with homeowner tips and ideas, and it always has a cool recipe with a picture and a listing for one of the "houses of the month" that she has active at the time. its really neat, I know my wife and I always read through it. its a simple tri folded piece of white paper, nothing special at all, but gets the point across about "remember me".

[Trouble]

That`s a great idea. I remember Trouble made a great suggestion awhile ago on contacting old clients. Here`s the suggestion:



For your newsletter, maybe have a section highlighting new products or tools you`ve added to the shop to entice customers. Example: "NEW Addition to the shop: Mytee HP60 Hot Water Extractor!" With some info on the tool and the benefits the new tool will make to your customers and their car. You can do the same thing with wax or any other type of car care product.

This is very effective, costs nothing and doesn`t waste a lot of your or your customers time

Thanks for the mention. Does this mean I get another green dot?

[MooreImpressive]

did you create this? only if you use your own imagination brah. not on that easy-way-out time.

[Trouble]

did you create this? only if you use your own imagination brah. not on that easy-way-out time.

Yes. This was 100% MY idea

[Trouble]

I think I deserve 2 new green dots
1 for coming up with this idea and the other for not going crazy on Mooreimpressive for suggesting I stole it

[MooreImpressive]

I`m done with the medication they have me on, due to a recent injury. I have absolutely no recollection of writing that comment. That`s scary. I`m sorry Trouble. My fault buddy.

[mleroy1989]

Thanks for the replies. Seen another idea about using something similar to oil change stickers, I think that`s a great idea as well! I look forward to implementing the reminder text/email!