When I started Hummingbird Flight Virtual Solutions, I knew I had the skills to be a great virtual assistant. I had over 30 years of experience creating spreadsheets, researching and tracking data, running reports, and other administrative tasks, and I loved helping people!
What I didn’t know was how to get clients. I thought I needed social media. I spent hours creating cute graphics and posting daily in Facebook groups and on Instagram. Crickets! No one was engaging with my posts!
My virtual assistant mentor, Belinda Sandor, convinced me to start a newsletter. I wasn’t sure how to find and connect with people or if they would even be interested in receiving my newsletter. I thought, “Who would want to read what I have to say?”
Now, I wasn’t new to writing newsletters. I had created a few over the years to keep parents and students up-to-date on classroom events. But this was different—a whole new audience, a different purpose, and a much broader scope. I took a deep breath, quieted those negative thoughts, and started writing. I wrote about helpful tips and tricks I knew were valuable to entrepreneurs.
Much to my surprise, my newsletter was creating genuine engagement while the social media posts felt like they were disappearing into the void. People were chiming in with things they were grateful for and conversations were started.
It doesn’t matter what line of work you are in, newsletters can be your secret weapon for connecting with clients, building trust, and showcasing your expertise. Here are five reasons I believe newsletters hold such transformative power.
1. Direct communication and engagement.
My first newsletter was sent to fewer than 10 people. With time, as I’ve written more newsletters, my audience has grown quickly and organically. I can reach people directly in their inbox, creating a personal connection without being subject to social media algorithms.
Now, with a single email, I can connect with hundreds—or potentially even thousands—of clients and potential clients. I started by creating a list of people I knew and simply asking if they’d like to receive my newsletter. To my surprise, most said “Yes!” My list includes high school and college classmates, former colleagues, neighbors, and people I’ve met at networking events, social gatherings, and even while running errands. I’ve learned to embrace every opportunity to grow my audience.
2. Newsletter Content Is Versatile
I don’t know about you, but I love when I can do something once, and have it work for me again and again. One of the most underrated advantages of newsletters is their versatility. After I send out my newsletter, I post it on my website as a blog, my personal and business Facebook pages, Instagram, and as a post on LinkedIn. The content can even be used to create video scripts! Repurposing my newsletters maximizes the value of my efforts and ensures consistent messaging across all channels.
3. Builds and Maintains Relationships
Regular newsletters keep my readers engaged and informed, fostering trust and loyalty. I highlight helpful information and services business owners need and can relate to.
I use personal stories and examples to help readers understand what I do and how we could collaborate. This familiarity makes them feel more comfortable from the start, allowing us to hit the ground running and accomplish more together.
4. Builds Credibility
Each month, I dedicate a few hours to writing my newsletter. This time gives me the opportunity to reflect on recent projects and communicate the essence of my business more effectively. It also allows me to analyze processes and identify ways to help small businesses operate more efficiently.
Also, sharing insights, tips, and expertise helps establish credibility in what I do, making my business a valuable go-to resource.
5. Provides Measurable Insights
Newsletters are a budget-friendly way to reach readers. I use MailChimp (an e-newsletter platform). I am able to tailor messages to my readers’ interests, or even track key metrics like open rates and click-throughs to assess the effectiveness of my newsletter campaigns.
These metrics allow me to refine my content accordingly and ensure that I deliver value and stay connected to my readers in meaningful ways.
While newsletters require work, the rewards are boundless. They stand out as a focused, high-value communication tool. Newsletters allow you to reach a large audience and showcase your expertise.
Are you ready to harness the power of newsletters to transform your business and showcase your expertise? Let’s connect and make it happen together!