Sojourn Bags

Constant Contact Customer Since: 2004
List size: 1000
Open Rate: 43%
Favorite feature: List Management
Website: www.sojournbags.com

Looking for a custom-made handbag or wallet? Look no further than Constant Contact customer Sojourn Bags. Owner, Jennifer Gordon, started the company four years ago in Chicago and now has representatives in 27 states. Customers can choose the style, fabric, and hardware for a custom bag or can order a pre-made bag at sojournbags.com or at an "in-home" party. The business has experienced great growth over the past few years. They sold 300 bags during their first six months and now easily sell the same amount in half that time.

Jennifer relies heavily on her website for new and repeat business. This is one reason why email marketing is such a great fit for her. She began using Constant Contact a year ago, after experiencing frustration with the process of sending html announcements to customers through Microsoft® Outlook®.

One thing that made it easy for Jennifer to try Constant Contact was the low price. "It wasn't scary to invest. It didn't take a leap of faith. It was a cost-effective way to communicate with our most important customers."

Jennifer uses Constant Contact to send out monthly Internet-only promotions that include free shipping or 25% off certain products. Her February 2006 promotion offered a free wallet with any purchase of $50 or more.

"I use email marketing to push promotions out. Most of the people on our list are return customers—they have bought at parties and on the web. We've done direct mail campaigns to them, but the results are very hard for us to quantify, plus direct mail is time-consuming and costs a lot more money. I don't have to fret over spending money on email marketing, because I know it works."

Jennifer's email list is already up to 1,000 subscribers, but it started small.

"We started with around 100 people on our email list. We grew it primarily by adding people who requested to be on it and by adding our active customers. Our list is completely permission-based. Each and every person on it requested to receive our emails."

Jennifer is very selective about how often she sends promotions and what information they include.

"I want to make sure that email marketing is a real benefit for my customers. I try to be very specific with what I'm offering and only send messages that I think will grab their attention."

And, what kind of results has Jennifer experienced? "Since I started using Constant Contact, my web sales have increased by 50%. It's the biggest bang for my marketing buck. It can't be beat."

Jennifer recently found another use for Constant Contact's email marketing service. She is now using it to communicate with her sales reps. "We are switching from a conference call to email. I will send them updates on the new products and promotions that they should start talking about."

As the owner of a thriving small business, Jennifer has her hands full. "Constant Contact really compliments my business. The professional quality and easy-to-use system allows me to put together meaningful and attractive email communications, quickly and easily. I wear 12 hats, and anything that makes my life easier is a winner in my book!"

Jennifer's smart usage of email marketing is making Sojourn Bags a winner too. With her current sales and marketing infrastructure in place, she is set up to pursue her goal to have a representative in every state and, most importantly, to get a Sojourn bag on the arm of every woman.