Using 10 years of design experience to help handmade businesses build websites into business assets.
Why you should start an email list
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I’ve written before about the dangers of relying on only one platform. Social media can drive traffic to your new site, but what happens when the algorithm updates and this one makes it just a little bit harder to reach your audience? Or maybe this is the one where they decide to make you pay to reach them at all? An email list will help you avoid feeling the strain when other platforms fall short. It’s built independently of your shop and social media and can even follow you between platforms (if, for example, you decided to move from Mailchimp to Kit). Your list is yours, which means it’s up to you to maintain that relationship. The last thing you want to do is alienate people that invited you into their inbox. You want to give them a reason to open your emails. You want to provide some kind of value. It doesn’t have to be educational. It can be entertaining or comforting. But whatever it is, it’s a reward for opening your email. When it is time for you to sell something, the reward for maintaining a good relationship with your email list is that they’re happy to get that announcement from you. (This is especially if they’ve already bought from you once!) Think about your favorite subscriptions and why they’re your favorites. I bet there’s inspiration there for your own list. Hey, thanks for reading! Today's furry coworker is Sam. Next time will be the last furry coworker introduction! Have a great day! |
Ed, Cagebreakers Creative
Using 10 years of design experience to help handmade businesses build websites into business assets.
Etsy and other big platforms drive traffic to their sellers. To successfully replace a platform, you need to be able to entice customers to use your website. Thankfully, you don’t have to wait until your new website is completely done to start building your customer base! Follow these 3 steps: Step 1: Buy your domain from a reputable company. I use Porkbun, but there are many solid options. Step 2: Setup URL forwarding so that your domain points to your Etsy shop (or whatever platform you...
I’ve gotta be honest: It doesn't feel great posting about anything light right now, considering the state of the world. I’ve gone back and forth on this and ultimately decided on: Say something and help how I can. I’ve donated to several organizations to help Minnesota and I ask that if you can, find one that calls to you and donate as well. I picked the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee and some of the GoFundMe-of-the-Day's, but there is a vetted list on Stand with Minnesota with...
In the earlier days of the internet, you’d have your own website. It was usually less flashy (and involved more Flash). You’d own your site and the way you interacted with your customers. Then social media came along. Facebook, in particular, was really appealing to businesses. Everyone was on there. Like all the time. (It seems surreal to think about it now, but I remember chomping at the bit to get my college email so I could finally sign up. It was still college-only at the time.) And it...