Do You Even Need a Newsletter?
That is the question.
Is this you? You hear everyone around the websphere recommending that you get a newsletter, yet you find yourself perplexed, asking questions like, “Do I even need a newsletter?”, “What the heck would I write about?”.
Ring a bell?
Well in case it makes you feel any better, you’re not alone my friend.
Many + I mean many before you have asked this question over + over again. So if you’re confused, worry no longer, because today I’ve decided to spill the beans publicly to break this riddle once in for all.
Just hit play to get the scoop, plus two in-house examples, because using my own brand as a show + tell guinea pig feels good.
Catch you in the comments for more creative business aerobics!
be merri
You know you wanna, so click here to make it happen. Don’t know what the heck I’m talking about? Well, I guess you’ll have to watch the video then (wink).
xo,
Mayi Carles
33 Responses to Do You Even Need a Newsletter?
Spill Open
Come on in! Yes you, in your paint stained pajamas if you wish. This is your space to dream up + spill open your splendidly messy life in progress. You're bound to leave here feeling happier + super empowered + most certainly loved.
love the bunting — have to check those out!
on the newsletter topic, I think it’s a great opportunity to share your upcoming events so people can check out your cool products up close and in person!
happy friday!
love it , Mayi . I love the customer profiling technique. Would you believe I did that just last night ? It does make so much more sense when you write it down. I actually thought of a few other traits as I wrote them down. Its a good exercise to trying and understanding the customer.
Another exercise to understanding the customer is WHY would they want to buy your product . It might be a good way to finding a way to make your product different/unique from the rest of the pack ?
Alicia: Aren’t the buntings a stunner? LOL.
Back to today’s today. Ohhhh yes yes yes. Up + coming events is such a great way to keep people on their toes. Good one my friend! Thanks for sharing!
Lakshmi: They say great minds think alike LOL
Ohhh + The WHY question. EXCELLENT point. I’m so glad you included that in the comments for everyone to read. GREAT GREAT pointer!
Thank you for the info!
One question, is it ok to send newsletter for example, to your blog followers? or that is spam and you need to have an additional newsletter subscription?
You can always promote someone else,s business that is complimentary to yours. If your business caters to young women who may be getting married, for example, you could feature someone who makes custom thank you notes. I find that if people think they will find your newsletter “useful”, a place where they will find out about unique things they wouldn’t otherwise, than they are more likely to trust you and open your email as opposed to just deleting it because they think “Oh, I don’t need anything from them right now”. Plus, it makes you seem knowledgeable and sincere.
Hey Mayi- i have been wondering about how beneficial a newsletter would be, and what content i could put into it if i created one. Thankyou for posting this! you’ve totally inspired me.
I have a question however: How do i get people to sign up to my newsletter? I have a blog, a twitter account and a facebook page all promoting my etsy shop, but i am struggling to get followers on all of these! Im guessing i would be advertising a “Sign up to my newsletter” via all of these accounts, but if i am lacking followers, then how will i get newsletter sign ups also? x
love this! i know it is so true that newsletters are great to have. and i am so glad I have mine!!
LOVE YOUR BUNTING OMG!!!!! Thanks for the link lady!!
Hey Lorena: Great question. You should only send your e-mail newsletter to people how have subscribed. So yes, you would need an additional e-mail subscription. I love Mad Mimi, but I hear Mail Chimp is pretty amazing too
Nicole: GREATTTTTTTTT tip! You can do that for the kindness of yoru heart + if that person or brand has an affiliate program you could even make honest money from those referrals. Brilliant!
Besides, like you said, you don’t need to push your products all the time, specially in the day + age when everyone is making so many amazing things. There’s a lot of space for sharing + spreading a good word.
Danielle: You are better than cupcakes. There I said it. Again
LOL MUAAAAA! Adore you to pieces 
Hey Megan: Fantastic question. It’s called an opt-in form. Which is just a funny jargo-ny word for a webform were you allow people to plug in their name + e-mail. To make that happen all you have to do is pick a e-mail marketing platform like Mad Mimi + start an account. With Mad Mimi your first 100 subscribers are free, so you can test at no risk. Pretty sweet right?
And the best way to market your e-mail newsletter is to offer people a cookie, or what I like to call I Scooby snack. Give them someone they want, for free, just for signing up. An example would be my Weekly To-Do Planner, you can see that at the right hand corner of the blog.
Let me know how it goes
Hi Mayi! I just joined your newsletter today after reading April’s follow Friday featuring your shop! I already love your blog! I’m from your neck of the woods (sort of), Venezuelan but currently living in Spain. I have a little jewelry business and I can’t state how big having a newsletter has been. The thing that has helped the most has been really great photos. You have no idea how many times I’ve made a sale because someone got the newsletter on the day they had to buy someone a birthday present. Thanks for your tips! I’m definitely going to think about branching out on what I put in it.
Lol mayi- i must admit that i found your website through looking for a free downloadable to do list, and now im hooked! very clever! so glad my need for organisation led me here though! Thanks for your answer- so helpful. x
Thanks so much for the great motivation! I’ve known for a long time I needed a newsletter but I was one of the people asking what I could offer to make it interesting enough for people to want to read and sign up for. You’ve given me some great ideas and the push I needed to make it happen! I will definitely share this video with some others who I know will benefit from what you shared! Thank you!!!
I found your blog a few days ago and I must say I am in love! Your design is super adorable and you are the cheeriest person I have ever seen! I may have been inspired to smile more
Thanks for the tips!
Love,
-Rosi
Mayi, you’re the first person to properly explain to me the value of knowing your customer. I’ve seen it around a lot but have never understood how to apply it without your awesome examples. Thank you, lovely lady!
Oh, and I love that you have like a hundred pairs of scissors. I’m forever losing my one pair!!
xx
OMG!!! I heard my name and I started screming like a little girl that I had to start the video over three times. Lol… My heart is still beating fast. Thank U so much for addressing my concern + giving me some much needed advice + making it simple + very clear. I’m extremly thankful for your blog + super motivated.
Hi Mayi. Thank you so much. I’ve been thinking about getting a newsletter for my etsy store but I was unsure if I could really pull it together. Your ideas have helped me a lot.:)
Kim: Awwww now I adore April even more for bringing you here. Hablas Español? I’m so happy to meet you! Ohhh + great tip about taking out of this world pictures. That’s soooo important, you’re right!
Megan: LOL you see… Scooby snacks work real good
Thanks for being here + keep up the great work.
Marissa: YAYYYYY so glad this was the kick in the pants you needed to go the extra mile. Thanks for helping me spread the world. xo!
Rosi: You’re message has made me smile all the way from China to Panama. Thanks for letting me know you are here + inspired. Means so much!
Jessica: Customer avatar is tricky business isn’t it? I’m so glad that my examples helped bring down the theory to practice. Makes me feel special. Hehehehehe + about the scissors, they all cut in different shapes + sizes but their not very good quality, I just had to get them because they make me happy hehehehehe. How’s that for a confession? LOL!
Shelita: LOL you are soooooooo adorable! I’m so glad I was able to help you. Your e-mail truly touched me + I felt I had to say something
You also need to know I saw a special spark in your. I believe you are really meant to do great things, so I hope you keep on hustling girl! I’m here holding your hand every step 
Great content & info. A newsletter is something I’ve been thinking about for a while but like Megan, I don’t really have that many followers on my blog, FB or twitter. And I struggle with content. I appreciate your examples. Also, I have to comment on your top (or is it a dress) because it is so awesome!
Hey Danielle: I’m so glad this was helpful. I want you to remember for just one second that everybody starts with zero followers, so don’t be intimidated. We all start from the bottom + gradually + organically we rise
I recommend focusing on your cookie (the hook that you give people to entice them to join) + content, so that people feel their receiving GREAT value from you. That’s key. And of course I’m here if your ever need help one on one 
Ohh + the top is a not really a top. It’s a dress
Super pretty right? It’s from BCBG I think 
Mayi, I love you more than ever (if that’s even possible) for making this video! This is a subject I have been struggling so much with in recent weeks. With so much on my mind while I set up my new blog, a newsletter has not seemed like a priority. But at the back of my mind I still felt it was so important, and your video has just reinforced that for me. Thank you for your insight, Mayi! I will definitely be sticking with my original plan to launch a newsletter!
Mayi:)
You are too cute and I LOVE the bunting…yay Danielle:)! I am so glad I took your advice oh so long ago and set up a newsletter, I love doing it and I get great feedback!
Can’t wait to see wedding previews!
Great ideas, Mayi! I’d better get busy building a newsletter. Do you have any recommendations for free newsletter email services, such as Mail Chimp or one of the others? Thanks! -Laura
Suzi: No I love you more
LOL
So Glad this was super helpful + timely
Erin: Your the best example of someone that takes good advice to heart + then you triple rock it out! You really have been working your butt off + you are more sparkly than ever before. I am sooooo sooooo proud of you my dear friend
Laura: My favorite is MadMimi. Your first 100 contacts are FREE