Blogs & Newsletters

Another Time Antiques

Another Time Antiques

VFG Member
As I slowly but surely master the schedules of online stores and websites, I see I am quickly falling behind AGAIN!

I'd like to propose a workshop dealing with the basics of the new communication tools - blogs and the subscription newsletters.

Any brief intro into these fields will be most appreciated!!
 
I wrote one newsletter issue for my EBay store. I wasn't too fond of what EBay allows you to do and not to do. I wanted to include links and non-EBay links are not allowed. That sort of defeated the purpose of what I wanted to do with my newsletter which was more than just showcase EBay listings. I wanted to share research links. I had a vintage nurse's cap for sale and I received correspondence from mothers wanting the item for a daughter. I found a great link on how to make a nurse's cap and forwarded it to the mothers. It made more sense for them to make a cap than buy a vintage one. Do you see what I mean, though? A store newsletter gives the seller the opportunity to provide information and show his/her knowledge of the items being sold. I haven't figured out a good way to get new subscribers to my newsletter. I'm researching that. I'm also interested in vintage dishes and linens. I think blogging is self-indulgent but MySpace.com makes it easy to create a profile and invite people to your blog. Hope that helps-
Mia
MissyMiaDesigns
 
Well..i can understand why ebay wouldn't want to be having emails that come from ebay to folks to promote items being sold elsewhere, or to direct folks away from ebay in another way.

If you want more freedom in a newsletter, bravenet.com offers a newsletter feature, and Constant Contact is also excellent for using to send a newsletter and keep track of customers as well.

And to get folks to subscribe to your ebay newsletter you can mention for folks to "add me to your favorite sellers". or at the bottom of your emails say the same thing. That is perfectly legal on ebay. if you have an outside newsletter, you can put a sign up box on your "me" page.

Blogs can be self indulgent, or can be a great marketing tool for a business. It's up to you how you use it.
 
I met with a local consulting firm that specializes in newsletter marketing. It was really interesting. I love Constant Contact!

Deb
 
I don't use Constant Contact but I sure do love the way Lizzie and Deb's newsletters come out, I look forward to them.

Blogs on the other hand take more time to build up readership and keep loyal followings. If you don't really enjoy doing it, it's not going to take off. Blogs require at least 3-5 posts a week. The more the better. Daily and even multiple per day is even better.

Cross promotion with blog tools and search engines and other blogs is a must to gain any real traffic, too.

That all said, I think they are absolutely worth looking into because they will get used more frequently and new bloggers pop up on the net every minute!
 
How did I find information on Constant Contact? How do I subscribe to your newsletters, Deb and Lizzie? Thank you for the information. I love Vintage Menswear Daily, too. :)
Mia
MissyMiaDesigns
 
Hi,

Nice to see you Jus!

I put a link to subscribe to my newsletter in my signature here, look for the little envelope icon.

I tried having a blog, but I just wasn't into it at all. It's fun doing the newsletters though, and I've been really good at keeping to a monthly schedule.

Constant Contact is at http://www.constantcontact.com. I am sure there are other services as well, but that's the one I use. I think it was Lizzie who told me about it in the first place.

Deb
 
To receive my newsletter:

<form name="ccoptin" action="http://ui.constantcontact.com/d.jsp" target="_blank" method="post">
<table bgcolor="lightyellow" border="1" bordercolor="black" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0">
<tr><td align="center">Join the <b>Fuzzylizzie Vintage</b> mailing list </td></tr>
<tr><td align="center"><b>Email:</b>
<input type=text name="ea" size=25>
<input type=hidden name="m" value="1100344840066">
<input type=hidden name="p" value="oi">
<input type=submit name="go" value="Go">
</td></tr>
</table></form>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top