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A newsletter is a very economical and yet powerful marketing tool to insert into your site map, and with today's technology, it is also possible to create a digital copy to email to your mailing list.
In this newsletter, we suggest you include many of the following items: A welcome note from the owner or manager, upcoming events, featured activities, fun things to do, local history stops, discount coupons, cable TV channels, items for sale, lots for sale, park rules, safety reminders, a few blue light specials in your store, food specials in your restaurant, attractions, a delicious recipe, fun things for kids to do, special attraction events (Balloon Festivals, Fall Festivals, etc.), takeout menu, Wi-Fi tips & instructions, rates, mileage chart to points of interest, etc.
Many word processing programs have newsletter templates that you can use for free. If you do a Google search for newsletter templates, you'll find even more. Modify the template to include your resort's name and logo, plus make sure your contact information is on the newsletter so that months later, they can easily make a new reservation. If they like your newsletter, they may also send it to a friend as a suggestion of a great place to stay.
When choosing your word processors, make sure it can either save or export your newsletter as an Acrobat PDF document. This will make it easy to attach to an email. Keep this file handy for new reservations. When sending an email confirmation for an upcoming stay, attach the newsletter so they can begin planning what they would like to do. They might also send this email on to friends!
Mostly you'll give this newsletter away to everyone so you may want to keep the price down, while weighing in on making a good first impression. If you have a color printer, and you don't need a lot of copies at one time, then buy a pack of enamel coated paper to print on. This will make your photos and artwork look much better. If you're printing a lot of copies to last six months or longer, you might want to take your digital file to an instant printer. You might call to get their rates, but also check online, as there are thousands of discount printers. They'll print and ship it to you in just a few days! They can also print two-sided newsletters that will save on the cost of paper. Printing two-sided on an economical home office printer can sometimes be challenging.
Create a folder for newsletter ideas so as the year progresses you'll have a place to store your thoughts. Change your newsletter from time to time to keep it fresh and interesting. Think of your publication as a monthly, quarterly, or seasonal presentation. Start small with one or two pages, and it'll soon grow as you can experience and confidence. If you're not marketing at all the time, you're not growing!
Next Week: Do You Want To Expand Your Repeat Business?
Copyright 2010 by GTI
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