How to Keep Your E-Newsletter Campaign Alive When You Just Don't Have Enough Time! by LisaMarie Dias

Either way, they find they have no time. And they know that, in order to keep the readers they have and to maintain the trust they have built, they must send something out each month. Some people resort to just copying the previous month's issue and changing the date. I highly recommend against this! It will undermine your past efforts and minimize your future success. Here are three simple alternatives to full e-newsletters that you can  get out easily, even when time is short.

1. Go short 

Often, campaigns will start with long, elaborate introductory e-news issues. A lot of time and effort is put into creating a great template and rich content. This is great - it effectively introduces you and your services. But every issue need not be this elaborate. Don't feel obligated to include every section (questions and answers and tips and the product review) every month. Your readers are short on time too - they may appreciate the brevity and if it is done well, will be sure to open the next issue looking for more!

2. Consider an e-calendar

If you are short on time but have some important, time-sensitive information to share, consider an e-calendar. Format a template with a list of dates for upcoming classes, speaking engagements or events with links to webpages that discuss them at length. This gets the important info out in a timely fashion and allows you to follow up with more info at a later date. Or maybe that is all you send that month. As long as you are continuously in touch, it need not take the same form each month.

3. Consider an event reminder
 
Often, the reason you have no time is that you are busy putting together a large and/ or important event - one that you would like the readers to attend! Create a template that can work as an event reminder. Include the time, date, registration info and either a full description, cut and pasted from your webpages, or a link to this info. 
 
Just remember to make sure that whatever you send is clearly branded - you want this to be viewed as an extension of your existing campaign. One of the great advantages of using an ESP (email service provider) is that you can quickly and easily create and modify materials. Create a few of these templates in advance and you will be ready for those months when time is short. It will help you keep your online marketing campaign alive and help your business thrive!