Want Recurring Sales? Email Marketing is Your Secret Weapon.

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Good morning. Over the past week, several small business owners have asked me, “How can I increase my business revenue and get recurring sales?”

My answer: Find a way to connect directly with your customer.

Now you’re probably looking at this email thinking, “Well, Duh!” But, stick with me here.

The biggest mistake I see small business owners making is relying too much on social media to sell. Social media is great for brand awareness and building an audience (and once you have that solidified, then we can talk sales).

However, if you’re just getting started with this whole marketing thing-a-ma-jig and you want to make recurring revenue immediately —without the stress of “hacking” the social algorithms”— email marketing is your way to go.

Next month, I’m launching a course where I’ll share all the strategies I’ve used to generate $500K+ in sales through email marketing. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

You can also get a sneak peek at what you’ll learn in my email marketing course by joining my 7-Day Email List Building Challenge. The challenge kicks off next Monday, 6/24.

Here’s what you can expect in today’s newsletter:

• 4 Low-Cost Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

• The Shift to First-Party Data

• How to Stay Discoverable in the Age of AI Search

Sales
4 Low-Cost Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses

Listen, if ballin’ on a budget was a person, it would be me.

As small business owners, we have limited amounts of money to make magic. But even with limited resources, there are things we can do to achieve significant results.

In fact, some of the most impactful marketing tactics are small-business-budget-friendly.

In my latest blog post, I share where you can start.

Read the full article here.

Marketing Analytics
The Shift to First Party Data

By now we all know that customer data is king. But the way we collect and use that data is undergoing a significant transformation. A recent survey by Deloitte revealed that 61% of companies growing sales are prioritizing a new approach: first-party data.

What is First-Party Data? First-party data is information you collect directly from your customers. This includes details like purchase history, website behavior, and feedback through surveys or forms. By gathering this data yourself, you gain a deeper understanding of your audience and their preferences.

Why the Shift to First-Party Data? Traditionally, businesses relied heavily on third-party data. This data, collected by external sources as you browse the web, creates profiles about your interests and habits. These profiles are then used to target you with ads.

For example, if you’ve ever browsed for clothes online and later saw the items you were searching for as ads on different websites, that’s third-party data in action. Companies use this data to target ads more effectively, even though it’s gathered without direct user interaction.

However, new privacy regulations and browser restrictions are making it increasingly difficult to rely on third-party data. With browsers like Safari and Firefox blocking third-party tracking, and Google Chrome set to follow suit, businesses need a new strategy.

The Benefits of First-Party Data

• Building Trust and Transparency: Collecting data directly from your customers fosters trust and transparency. Customers appreciate knowing their information is being used responsibly by a brand they choose to interact with.
  

• Deeper Customer Insights: First-party data provides a more accurate picture of your audience. You can see what resonates with them on your website, what products they like, and what feedback they have. This allows you to tailor your marketing efforts and create a more personalized customer experience.
  

• Stronger Customer Relationships: By directly engaging with your customers through surveys and feedback forms, you demonstrate that you value their opinion. This two-way communication strengthens relationships and fosters customer loyalty.

How to Collect First-Party Data

• Create Engaging Interactions: Develop fun and informative ways for customers to interact with your brand. I’ll share how you can do this while collecting their customer data in my 7-day Email List Building Challenge that kicks off next Monday, 6/24.
  

• Invest in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tool: A CRM tool centralizes customer data from various touch points, like purchases and support interactions. This provides a holistic view of each customer and their preferences. My favorite is Hubspot. (That's an affiliate link. By clicking it and making a purchase, I receive a commission.)
  

• Directly Ask for Feedback: Don't hesitate to ask your customers what they think! Simple surveys or feedback forms are a great way to gather valuable insights and show customers you care about their experience.

The shift to first-party data is not just about complying with regulations; it's about building stronger, more authentic customer relationships. By prioritizing direct interactions and building trust, you can ensure your business stays ahead of the curve and thrives in the ever-evolving data landscape.

BIG STRATEGIES, SMALL BUSINESS
How to Stay Discoverable in the Age of AI Search

In this section of my newsletter, I share some of the coolest marketing tactics from larger brands and give insights into how small business owners can do something similar.

The way people search online has undergone a dramatic shift thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI). Search engines are becoming more sophisticated, understanding natural language and user intent. This means people aren't just Googling keywords anymore; they're asking questions and seeking solutions.

So, what does this mean for your small business?

In short, it means you need to be discoverable! Here are 3 ways you can leverage the power of AI search to keep your small business at the top of the results:

1. Talk Like a Regular Person: Forget fancy words nobody uses in everyday talk. Instead, focus on what makes your business special and use those words to describe it. Think of the questions your customers might ask and write answers they'd understand. Let's say you run a dog walking service. People might search for "trustworthy dog walker near me" or "affordable pet sitter in [your city]." Use these phrases throughout your website and social media descriptions to catch their eye in the search results.

2. Help People Find What They Need: Imagine your ideal customer and the things they might be searching for. Create content (like blog posts, videos, or pictures) that answers their questions and solves their problems. For instance, if you own a bakery, people might search for "easy cake decorating tips" or "best gluten-free cookies in town." Create a blog post with your best cake decorating hacks or highlight your delicious gluten-free options on your social media pages.

3. Be the Local Hero: More and more people search for things on their phones, especially when they're looking for stuff nearby. Make sure your business shows up in local searches! Fill out your Google My Business profile with all the right info, add some pictures, and encourage customers to leave reviews (good or bad, respond to both!).

By following these simple steps, you can make sure your small business shines bright online, even with the fancy new search engines. Remember, the key is to speak plainly, be helpful, and show you care about your customers. The more people find you when they're searching, the more customers you'll have!