FAQ

QUESTION: Amy  Asked… “What if I only want to email it?”

ANSWER: Great question. My answer is “No Problem”. You should email it! I do recommend mailing it over emailing it BUT if finances are a concern, then email the newsletter. Doing SOMETHING outweighs doing NOTHING. Start emailing it and when you get that first referral, considering MAILING it quarterly and see if the results are  better after doing it quarterly for one year.

QUESTION: Victoria Asked… “Good afternoon!  Let me be sure I got this straight…if I sign up for a monthly newsletter, YOU do 90% of the work, I customize with my stuff and that’s it? It’s that easy? I’m assuming I can make as a PDF and include on my blog, or twitter, or FB? Thanks for your time—”

ANSWER: Yes, you got it right Victoria. Each month, you get to download a “nearly done for you” newsletter. You should spend LESS than 30 minutes on. Yes, you can use it as a PDF or simply resize it and email it.

QUESTION: Vicki asked, “Will this work on a Mac?”

ANSWER: Yes, it this a PSD file. Should work on all versions of PS that is CS and later.

QUESTION: Cindy asked, “How often should this be mailed?”

ANSWER: Monthly is BEST. Quarterly is fine IF you are emailing it in between.

QUESTION: David asked, “Is this a two page letter each month? (8.5 X 11 front and back)”

ANSWER: Yes BUT I mail mine as a four page newsletter with one page being for images. I use an 11X17 folded twice. It makes a snazzy mailer.

QUESTION: Cyndi asked, “How do I get my username and password?”

ANSWER: As soon as you sign up, you will automatically taken to a page for select your username and password. If you ever forget it, you can reset it yourself on the log in page.

QUESTION: Teri asked, “George, is there any lockout or whatnot, for others in my area? I’d be really embarrased to have someone get the same (basic) newsletter as my competition down the street!”

ANSWER: Teri, I would think the odds of another photographer in your area with the exact same customer also signing up for my newsletter is slim to none. BUT, member protection is available in the membership options.

QUESTION: Craig asked, “A classic returns! This is a very cool idea, one that I think finally allows a true pro to add value to his services, gaining him loyal clients. I am wondering a few things:

• Have you an idea what costs are involved in printing?
  
• Do you have a way to mail these so they look like something that should be opened right away? John Hartman was a great at that.
  
• Is it safe to assume your target audience is parents? I did not see any cool info directed to seniors, for instance.
  
• And lastly, the sample has very little on the studio at all really, it almost seems too subtle. How have you found that balancing point between advertising and informing?

I love the way it is set up, and I am sure this will help all who takes advantage of it”

ANSWER: I pay about $1.70 a client to have it printed full color, 4 page, folded, addressed, & mailed for me.  Of course, it can be done cheaper without color and without 4 pages. If you mail it yourself, a handwritten envelope (or handwritten font) in BLUE ink and an image on the front with a LIVE stamp WILL most likely get opened. This newsletter is for the PARENTS and everyone THEY KNOW! It is suppose to be subtle. You are GENTLY reminding that you are still in business and “did you know we also photography babies, seniors, weddings, …”

QUESTION: Doug asked, “George, I have a rather large mailing list. I KNOW I should be sending a newsletter and I’m embarrassed I haven’t but how do I decide whom I should send it to?”

ANSWER: Doug, the answer is EVERYONE. I recommend NOT cherry picking who gets this! Especially if you are emailing it. If you are mailing it and want too do a SLOW ROLL OUT to TEST the effectiveness, then do this. Pick you “best” clients who fit your “ideal client description” and send it to them regularly. Once you see the results (and you will), then roll it out to the “next best” set of clients and TEST again!