Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

Can You Unsend an Email Campaign?

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Can You Unsend an Email Campaign?A few weeks ago I had a tweet from someone I know asking if there’s a way to unsend a Mailchimp campaign. Evidently there had been an incorrect name used in their campaign, making the event about someone else. Whoops. Typos are the worst. So, I emailed to check in and see if I could help. I had 3 recommendations…

  1. Depending on the response from people I’d say you can send out another email apologizing/correcting the issue. BUT if you didn’t get much response to it then I’d say leave it – you’re only drawing attention to it. 
  2. You can always do a social media face palm correction. That way people see you caught the error, BUT it doesn’t go out to everyone in a second email.
  3. Get a second set of eyes – this is why I always make sure my clients approve their newsletter before I schedule it. That way multiple people are looking at it. 

The good news is that only a couple of folks responded to the email noting the error, and they were all very kind and gracious about it. People: This is almost always the case! Your employee or client or good friend may say “dude, that’s not the right person.” But RARELY does someone get up in arms. Even when they’re hiding behind a computer. I promise. 

Then two weeks ago I had a client issue where I screwed up the merge tag so instead of “Hi Norm,” it said “Hi <insert name here>” GOLD STAR ME. And that’s an error that you wouldn’t necessarily catch in a test email. AND the link I had used wasn’t working correctly. So in that case we sent out a resend noting the incorrect link.

Once you hit the send button your email is out in the universe and in everyones inbox. You can’t take it back. Sometimes you should send out a correction email. Sometimes you have to remember you’re human (as my client said “we’re still badass women”) and the occasional typo isn’t why that client is going to hire or fire you. I promise.

9 Email Ideas for Your Political Campaign

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9 email ideas for Your Political CampaignAs some of you know, I was in the 2019 class for Emerge Oregon, a candidate training program for women who want to run for office. Although I’m not running at this time (I will!) I have been talking with candidates across the region who are running in November and who have had questions about email marketing for their campaign.

Since canvassing (knocking doors) isn’t a safe option this election cycle, candidates have to change up how they’re communicating with voters, donors and volunteers. And you know what I think is a great way to do that? YES – a newsletter. So, here’s a few tips and tricks I’ve been recommending.

  1. Send an update at LEAST monthly – reach out to your network to let them know what you have been up to, how you’re engaging and how they can connect with you. Make sure to include ways they can volunteer, donate or host a virtual event.
  2. Make sure there’s a subscribe form on your website and that every donor, volunteer or person who contacts you via your website gets added to your email list.
  3. Create a welcome email – “thanks for subscribing, here’s how you can get involved…”
  4. Have a standard Thank You email for events – make sure that within one day you’re thanking everyone who came to that virtual house party or kickoff party. Remind them of the ways they can get involved, donate and spread the word about your campaign.
  5. Add social media sharing icons to the footer. This way people can share the email on their social media channels – this wouldn’t be necessary for thank you emails but for the regular updates it could be a nice way for raving fans and your advisory board to easily support and promote the campaign.
  6. If you’re using Mailchimp I encourage you to connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts (if you’re using these platforms) so you can automatically post your emails to your social media channels. With Facebook you can also add a sign up form to your page.
  7. In the design of your email make sure that all the logos and images are linked back to your website. Encourage them to follow you on the social media channels you’re active on and ALWAYS have a donate button even if that email isn’t about fundraising. It’s always about fundraising…
  8. Add a donate button to EVERY email that goes out. Subtle at the bottom just above the social media icons – you don’t have to ask for donations anywhere else in the email (you should sometimes though!) but having that donate button is a helpful subtle reminder, and it WORKS.
  9. Always include ways that people can get involved (lawn sign, donation, virtual house party, etc.) too.

Every campaign is different so you may want to adjust how you’re communicating. Make sure that you’re communicating regularly and giving your audience as many ways as possible to support you! Good luck and don’t forget to VOTE!

10 Content Ideas for Your Next Newsletter

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Now more than ever it’s important to be sending out your newsletter. Your customers and clients need to know what’s going on and how they can support your business, even if you’ve had to close the doors for the time being.

I spoke about this last week at the Hillsboro Chamber and you can watch the full video on their YouTube channel. I shared some ideas for newsletter content and since I know a lot of us are at a loss for words right now, I wanted to share 10 content ideas for your next newsletter.

  1. An update – How is your business doing? How is your staff doing? We honestly want to know how you and your business are doing. Just because the door says closed doesn’t mean you aren’t hustling online or have a great new offer!
  2. Be Personal – This is up to your comfort level,  I spoke with one business owner who had taken time off right before shelter in place to be with their new grandchild and asked if it was OK to include a picture of the new baby, YES! Another client just got two new puppies which will be featured PROMINENTLY in their next newsletter. Be yourself, that’s why we work with you!
  3. Changes – what’s the new schedule? Can we take classes from you or meet via Zoom instead of in person?
  4. How can I work with you? – do you deliver now? Can I order online? Do you offer zoom meetings, pickup, private/personal shopping?
  5. Resources – One of my clients sent a variety of resources for a specific software platform all their clients use to help with the transition from office to home.
  6. Local Support – One of my clients is an essential service so they are buying lunch for the team every day from local businesses and sharing those local restaurants that are still open so their audience also knows about these great local restaurants they can support.
  7. Gift Certificates – for some businesses buying a gift certificate, or taking payments now for services in the future might help with your cashflow – make sure people know this!
  8. “Be the First to Know” – I understand not all businesses want to offer gift certificates or pre-payment, so make an “exclusive” list to be the first to know when you are taking clients/appointments again. Give them a 24 hour heads up to schedule before you send out a newsletter letting everyone on your list know you’re set.
  9. Ask for Reviews & Testimonials –  This is a great time to ask people to write that review online for you. A lot of people want to support small businesses but don’t have a budget to financially support you right now. That’s okay – making sure your reviews are strong and consistent is a great thing someone can do for you!
  10. Social Media Sharing – similar to reviews, you can ask people to help promote your business and offerings on social media. Encourage them to tag you when they get their purchase in the mail – or repost your latest social share.

I know there are a lot of other ideas for what could go into your newsletter right now – let me know what else you’ve seen in the comments!