Archive for March, 2010

Tips for Building Your Opt-In List

March 30, 2010 in Email Marketing | Comments (0)

E-marketing is one of the most effective online marketing tactics a small business can use, and it becomes even more powerful when new contacts are regularly added so the email list continues to grow. But other than adding an e-newsletter signup form on a web site, how can small businesses get more people to opt in to their email lists?

Offer Something of Value

One very effective way to grow your email list is to offer your customers and web site visitors something of value in exchange for their email address. To get started, think of a few items that would be valuable give-aways, then build marketing campaigns around those offers. For instance:

  • Have a monthly drawing to give away a free product or a gift certificate, and gather email addresses for this in a fishbowl at your place of business.
  • Add a special “offer” to your home page that gives visitors a free report, e-book, or whitepaper but requires them to enter their email address in order to download the piece.
  • Implement a direct mail postcard campaign with an offer redeemable at your web site. Have recipients go to your site and enter their email address to claim their report, money-saving coupon, discount, etc.
  • Start a social marketing campaign announcing a special deal, then provide a link to your web site and ask for an email address to claim the offer.
  • For online forms or web downloads, always make the email address a required field.

Make the Most of Special Events

Special events and networking functions are great venues for capturing email addresses, as long as you remember to ask permission before adding your new contacts to your email list.

  • For events that you attend, gather business cards at each one (seminars, industry training, Chamber events, etc.). Then in your follow up emails (“It was nice to meet you at such and such…”), be sure to ask if they would like to be added to your email list.
  • For events that you present or sponsor like seminars, training, or anything that would require an RSVP or registration, ask attendees to use their email address in order to register or reserve their spot.

In Your Everyday Routine

There are also some things you can be doing as part of your normal routine in your business, such as:

  • When customers call your business, be sure to ask if they would like to receive your e-newsletter, then ask for their email address.
  • If you have an online checkout system, make sure email addresses are required.
  • Add a spot on your client intake forms, customer profiles, or member applications (depending on your business) where customers can add their email addresses.
  • Make sure your existing customers have an email address on file; if they don’t, make sure you get an email address as you update your records each year.
  • Add an email signup form to all of your social profiles. Facebook allows you to do this with a custom application, but you can also provide a link to the email signup form on your web site in your other social profiles.

Remember, one of the main goals of email marketing is to encourage people to visit your web site where they can DO something; whether it’s to download something of value, register for an event, claim a prize, or find more information and details about your business, all of which contributes to a positive impression and experience for visitors.

When visitors feel good about your company, they are more likely to forward your information or recommend your site to others, creating more opportunities for new visitors to join your email list and keep it growing for your business for a very long time.


Get To Know the Livingston County Home Show Vendors!

March 27, 2010 in Livingston County Home Show | Comments (0)

We have been having a blast today as the mobile tech & hospitality suite here at the Livingston County Home Show! We’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing people and to learn about some really exciting companies in Livingston County.

We’d like you to meet some of them, as well!

Atlas Home Improvement specializes in a wide variety of home improvement products, including gutter helmets, bathwraps, and DECRA metal roofing. Learn a little more about Atlas, and take a virtual tour of their LCHS expo display:

Are you looking to buy or sell a home? Get to know ReMax Platinum of Brighton, Michigan – and be sure to stop by their booth at the LCHS this weekend!

Interested in DirectTV? Learn more about DirectTV of Howell, and be sure to stop by and say hello at the LCHS this weekend!


Pat Convery, President of Howell Chamber, Discusses the LCHS

in Livingston County Home Show | Comments (0)

Five Sparrows got a chance to catch up with Pat Convery, the President of the Howell Chamber of Commerce. The Howell Chamber is the host of the Livingston County Home Show, and Pat discusses this year’s event.

For more about the Livingston County Home Show, and to learn about the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, visit their web site at www.howell.org


Livingston County Home Show Visitors Explore New Products

in Livingston County Home Show | Comments (0)

Things are picking up at the Livingston County Home Show as people begin arriving in greater numbers to check out the latest and greatest in local Home and Garden!


The day is getting busier! The day is getting busier!
The crowd looks excited to see what’s new! The displays this year are exciting, and many are even interactive!


Vendors are talking to people who are walking through, showing them the great products and services they offer! From 1-day bathroom renovations from Atlas Home Improvement to the extensive landscaping services available from Beauchamp, there is something of interest to everyone.


Atlas Home Improvement shows their gutter helmet, bathwrap, and DECRA metal roofing products Beauchamp shows visitors the best of their services
Atlas Home Improvement shows off their Gutter Helmet and Bathwrap product offerings Visitors stop by the Beauchamp display to learn about their lawn & garden services


Saturday Morning at the Livingston County Home Show

in Livingston County Home Show | Comments (0)

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning here in Howell, Michigan as the second day of the Livingston County Home Show gets underway. The show opened at 10:00 am, and it’s looking like it’s going to be a beautiful day.

The coffee is a big hit here in the mobile tech & hospitality suite this morning – there’s nothing like a cup of hot coffee in the morning as things get underway!

Saturday Morning starts at the 2010 Livingston County Home Show Saturday Morning starts at the 2010 Livingston County Home Show
The Mobile Tech & Hospitality Suite Coffee & Networking at the Mobile Office


Be sure to come by and visit the vendors at this year’s Livingston County Home Show! If you’re a vendor, make sure you stop by the mobile tech & hospitality suite to say hi – and, of course, for the complimentary coffee and soft drinks, secured free wireless internet, laptops to check your email, and a covered networking area to take a break and chat with other vendors.