Contacting previous customers through their email

[PrestonCourt]

I am looking for ways to get repeat sales and was wondering if I can contact previous customers with a survey of my shop and offer them a sales coupon code if they complete and return the survey. This is really the only way I am going to know how well they liked my product, shipping times, and packaging. Does anyone know if this is ok to do by Etsy rules?

[WithLoveFromLucille]

It's considered spam.

[PrestonCourt]

Thanks.

[Former_Member]

I add a newsletter in the envelope when I send mail out. In that newsletter is a 25% off coupon code they can use for the next purchase. I also put a deadline date on the offer. I usually do this once a month. There's a new coupon code every month for people who orders that month. I also mention any sales that are coming up in the next month or two. Then I ask the if they would like to receive further newsletter by e-mail. If so I give them the stores email address to request the monthly newsletter. By sending me an email with their email address gives me permission to add them to my email database. So Etsy has no say in the matter. It's not spam if they request it. .

[Former_Member]

How about this? Can I send out one welcome type newsletter saying they are receiving it because they placed an order. If they no longer wish to receive, please let me know.

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

Sending unsolicited email could be considered spam. You're better off giving them the option to sign up for your emails. The best way to do this is in a message sent during the course of the transaction. (message to buyer, thank you convo before the item is shipped or shipping confirmation)

[PrestonCourt]

Thanks for all these ideas. I guess I missed my time frame by not asking about email sign up at the time I shipped their order. Good information to have for my next order.

[PrairiePrimitives]

Opt-in is always more professional than Opt-out. Let your customers decide if they want to receive further emails (especially advertising related emails) from you.

[PrestonCourt]

I sent an email note along with their shipping notification to my customers who ordered today asking if they wanted to Opt-in to my customer email list for up-coming specials. Hope I get some positive responses.

[Former_Member]

I always send an e-mail like this:
Invoice: www.etsy.com/your/orders/86352317

Dear (name),

I hope everything is fine and you liked your (item name).

If you can take a minute to leave a feedback I would really appreciate it! Here is the link:

www.etsy.com/feedback/awaiting

Thank you so much!

Katia

K9'S SECRET

People usually check there e-mail and respond. It's not very often when they respond from ETSY unfortunatly. I guess they just buy from etsy and come back if they need something again. So they don't see their messages on etsy. So I prefer e-mails...

Speaking about coupon codes... I write it on a business card with a thank you note and send it to the buyers with their orders. And I tell people about any coupon codes in my Shop Announcement!

[MogsTogs]

After selling on etsy for about a year I decided to set up a mailing list. What I did was email (BCC) my previous customers a short email from my own address, saying basically:

Hello, You're receiving this email because you bought something from my Etsy shop Mog's Togs cat collars. Next month I'm going to start sending a monthly newsletter which will include new styles, news, and occasional discount codes and special offers. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please click here to subscribe. If you don't click then please rest assured I will not contact you again. Thank you! Rachel

I didn't have any complaints and I think about 20% of people signed up. I sent the above email in batches of about 10-15 people at a time, just in case I got a horrible reaction from the first ones! I can't stress enough, make sure you are blind copying people in, do a test run first with your own or family's email addresses. You do not want to go sharing your customers' addresses around! The sign up link in the email was a mailchimp link and from then on everything has been done through mailchimp. Since that first "batch" signup, I have added a mailchimp link to my shipping notifications for all 3 of my online shops and periodically get people signing up to it.

Definitely safer to have people opt-in then require them to opt-out. I have had etsy shops add me to their mailing list after a sale, and if they don't use a proper mailing list provider you have to personally email them and ask them to remove you from the list, which is (I think) awkward and rather unprofessional.