Marketing a party rental business can seem difficult at times. Most companies try the yellow pages first. But my marketing program is a bit different. Over 75% of my marketing is done with a newsletter.
I am always amazed when people tell me they do not think a newsletter will work well for them. Why not? You are an expert on entertainment …. do not you think people could use your help?
Setting up a newsletter is fairly easy. You'll need a newsletter service with an autoresponder. I use Intellectontact for mine. It's very easy to set up a form for sign ups on your website .. Sometimes it helps to offer an incentive. A free party drawing is a great way to get people to sign up for your newsletter. Just make sure that if you do this, follow through and actually give away a party. That's just one more story for your newsletter.
I actually do two different sets of writings. When people sign up for my pricelist they get a series of preplanned emails that tell all about our business. I write these one time. You can write a year's worth of short letters if you want. They go out at a preplanned time to the customer. Then, you have your actual newsletter. I usually do my rental news about once a month although you may choose to do one more frequently. Decide what your goal is when a customer subscribes to your letter. Is it a quick sale? A possible customer who will tell others about you? A great rental? Probably your goal will be all of the above. And you can achieve the goal easily if you do the right type of letter.
Keep your letter informative. Offer information beneficial to the customer. You may offer theme party ideas, decorating ideas or tips on specialized parties. BUT, in addition to tips, you want to drive the customer to your website or get them thinking about doing business with you. AND you want some quick sales from your newsletter.
Here's a format that might work: Write a generic letter listing some entertainment ideas for different types of events. Change events for each newsletter so there's always something to look forward to. Include games, recipes or anything else your readers might enjoy. Include some links to affiliate products you sell … books on planning parties, decorating websites, kids games. And finally, focus a couple of paragraphs on specific items that you offer that might be beneficial to your customers.
Every time you talk to a prospective client, make sure you ask permission to add their email to your newsletter list. I add about 20 a week to mine … and you'd better believe it's a great way to promote your business!