Tag Archive for: at home in victoria newsletter

Why At Home in Victoria

Here is the article I wrote in the January issue of the At Home in Victoria newsletter. It explains my passion, and the satisfaction of a few of the advertisers too! I have been publishing the At Home in Victoria Newsletter for over 10 years. It gets mailed to every household in the Victoria 55386 zip code. Learn more about AHIV Newsletter.

Like What You Are Reading? by Michelle Aspelin

Creating and publishing the At Home in Victoria™ Newsletter is one of my favorite projects. I’ve been doing it since April 2005. It “fills my cup” when readers share feedback with me. The most common thing I hear is “I read it from cover to cover.” And when advertisers share feedback on how the newsletter works for them, I get the biggest smile on my face.  🙂

I appreciate the chance to partner with the local businesses and I truly enjoy working with them. Many times we work together to determine an offer or ways to promote a new program or event.

I have space for one or two more article writing advertisers if you know of an organization or company who’d like to reach Victoria residents and businesses on a regular basis. Different than a newspaper, the newsletter is exclusive to one advertiser per industry. That’s what keeps the content interesting and diverse.

Here’s what advertisers are saying…

“School of the Wise and The Social highly recommend advertising in the AHIV newsletter. It has helped both of our businesses grow by providing the most cost efficient and effective advertising we have used in 10 years of business. This newsletter has been able to introduce us to not only new but current residents of Victoria.” Ashley Wallis of The Social and The School of the Wise

“Since we’ve been advertising in At Home in Victoria™, we have noticed a large increase in new patients. People will comment that they’ve seen our ad in the monthly newsletter and wanted to come check us out. Michelle Aspelin with At Home in Victoria™ does a wonderful job in making sure the ad looks neat and professional. The visibility and the amount of readers has been invaluable. We wish we had joined sooner!” Megan Carleton of Midwest Dental

“This has been a great way for new and current clients to see what’s being offered for the coming season. Divine Containers has consistently gotten new clients because of this newsletter.”  Meg Adams of Divine Containers

“Sign me up for five years!” Jeff Vannelli of Vannelli Lawn Services

“Businesses that want exposure in Victoria could find no better medium than the At Home in Victoria™ Newsletter. I find this brief newsletter is read regularly by my potential customers and they often mention they have seen ads for Budget Blinds.” Blake Pool of Budget Blinds

Call or email me today for rates and availability.
Michelle Aspelin 952-484-6015

 

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Reach Victoria MN Residents and Business Owners

Hello! As you know, I am a strong advocate for “Community” and enjoy promoting our businesses and events using multiple media venues.

Because of our fondness for the Victoria community we we live and work, we are expanding the At Home in Victoria newsletter, making room for more local businesses and organizations to promote their events, businesses and opportunities to Victoria MN residents.

We publish the newsletter monthly and mail to everyone in the 55386 zip code.

You can “flip through” the November 2014 issue below or click here for more info. We offer several ad sizes and styles to fit your message and your budget.

For rates and availability, contact me at 952-484-6015, thanks!

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Advertising Tips

Many of the advertisers in the At Home in Victoria™ Newsletter ask me for tips on what to say in their ads. I below are several suggestions that not only apply to the newsletter, but any print advertising you use to market your event, organization or company. Call or email me with any questions about how to write an effective ad for a newsletter or newspaper.

Advertising – It’s important that you craft your message in a way that brings you a successful response. Focus your ad on your ideal client. Act as if you are speaking to him or her directly.

3 Sure-Fire Ways to Increase Your Marketing Response

Increasing your response to your marketing efforts is what it’s all about. Here are three ways to help you do that.

1. Use a headline

Don’t ever run a marketing piece without a headline. If you don’t use a headline your prospective customers won’t know that your message is for them. They won’t know why they should read your marketing piece.

A headline is your chance of grabbing your prospect’s attention and saying to him, ‘Stop! Take the time to read this because it is vitally important to you!’

If you want people to actually read your marketing pieces, always use a headline.

 

2. Tell them what you can do for them. People only want to know one thing — ‘What can you do for me?’

So make sure you tell them from the start.

Explain what your product or service can do for them and why they should buy it from you. Tell them why they will be better off buying your product or service. How does your product or service SOLVE a problem they have?

 

3. Use a clear Call to Action

Your Call to Action is where you tell your prospects exactly what they should do next.

Don’t ever assume that they will know what to do. If there is the slightest doubt in their minds, they will procrastinate, and procrastination is one of the biggest killers of sales.

If you want them to call you and place an order, then tell them to do that.

If you want them to click on or go to your web site link and place their order online, tell them.

Don’t ever leave doubt in your prospective customers’ minds about what to do next.

 

Use Magnets to Attract Your Best Prospects

If you simply offer your product or service like everyone else, your prospects won’t see any reason to choose your business over your competitors.

Here are a few ideas of magnetic offers:

  • a special, limited-time discount offer to attract your best prospects
  • a free sample of your product or service
  • a free bonus or bonuses when they buy
  • a free workshop or presentation
  • a BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) offer, etc.
  • an extended benefit, like a longer consultation appointment

There are thousands of magnetic offers that you can use to grow your business. What kind of magnetic offer can you use to break through to the next level?

 

Use Features AND Benefits to Increase Your Sales

A big mistake that marketing novices make is focusing on the features of their products or services, instead of on the benefits.

Features are what your product or service is or has. Benefits are what those Features will do for your customers. People buy benefits.

For instance the ‘features’ of a coffee cup might be:

Feature 1: Large size

Feature 2: Ergonomically designed handle

Feature 3: Can be used in a microwave

Feature 4: Thermal design

Feature 5: Personalized with your name

Feature 6: Large, stable base

Now, here’s what those Features mean to your customers.

Benefit 1: Large size means you have to fill up less often

Benefit 2: Ergonomically designed handle makes it comfortable for you to hold

Benefit 3: Can be used in a microwave means you can heat up your drink instantly

Benefit 4: Thermal design means your drinks will stay colder or hotter longer

Benefit 5: Personalized with your name means others won’t use your cup

Benefit 6: Large, stable base means no spills

People don’t buy 1/4 inch drills. They buy 1/4 inch holes.

They buy what your products and services can do for them. What problem does your product or service solve?

Don’t assume that your customers know what each feature of your product or service will do for them, spell those benefits out in simple terms that they can relate to.

Focusing on benefits is a powerful way to get the attention and interest of your very best prospects and customers.

To learn more about advertising in the At Home in Victoria™ Newsletter, click here.

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