Currently a client of mine wants to begin sending newsletters to current clients. Does anyone have a flow chart or timeline of the process you've taken to go about creating a campaign for a client?

Such as verifying email addresses, chosing a email campaign software and any of the little things it takes to create it. I'd like to give him the list so he has an idea where we stand with the project.

Hi Collette,

If your client is creating a newsletter campaign from scratch the time line could look something like this:

1 - Get an account at email marketing co. (like Mailchimp, etc.)
2 - Choose a template for the newsletter or have one designed.
3 - Compile current list of contacts interested in newsletter
4 - Add contacts to list in email marketing program
During steps 2, 3 and 4 client should be thinking about what content he or she would like to include in the first issue. Then writing the newsletter out.
5 - Give content for newsletter to VA to enter into newsletter template in email marketing program
6 - VA sends test message of newsletter to client for review
7 - Make edits, test again
8 - Once steps 1-7 are complete send off the newsletter

Now as far as placing how much time each step would take, that really all depends. Choosing a template over having someone design a template will be less time intensive. Having a big list of contacts versus a short list of contacts will determine how long it takes to get the list cleaned up and added to the program and so on.

I hope that helps you a little bit!

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

Darlene, that's an excellent outline of necessary steps to create an e-newsletter. Thanks so much. I've also found another time consuming factor is when the client wants to include photos and needs additional time to select the best ones. Just adding my two cents. Thanks again

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Carol Aldridge
www.ProgressiveBusinessSolutions.net

This is perfect Darlene. I always like to give my clients an idea what a project like this will consist of.

Did you happen to see my other question in regards to confirming his current customer email addresses. Will something like Mail Chimp be able to do that with a test email?

Hi Collette,

One thing to consider is that most emarketing programs will verify email addresses once they are sent. Just remember to check you bounce and undeliverable reports once the newsletter is sent to scrub your list.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant