Retailer Bags Plain Text Email

Looking for a custom-made handbag or wallet? Look no further than Constant Contact customer Sojourn Bags. In 2002, Owner Jennifer Gordon started the company in Chicago and now has representatives in 27 states and sells to retail outlets across the country. Customers can choose the style, fabric, and hardware for a custom bag or can order a pre-made bag at sojournbags.com.

Jennifer's business has grown exponentially. In the first six months, the company sold 300 bags; now it easily sells that same amount in half the time. Her long-term goal? To put a Sojourn bag on the arm of every woman.

Challenge: Increasing Sales and Repeat Customers

Like any small business owner, Jennifer worked hard to cultivate customers when she first launched Sojourn Bags. With many demands on her time and budget, she needed marketing tools that were efficient, cost-effective, and easy to use. And because she relied on her website for new and repeat business, she wanted to reach her customers in their comfort zone—online.

Jennifer tried sending HTML email announcements to customers through Microsoft® Outlook®, but found the process frustrating and time-consuming. She then turned to Constant Contact.

Solution: Discovering the Many Uses of Email Marketing

Jennifer was first attracted to Constant Contact because of its low price and friendly terms. "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," she says.

Jennifer has enjoyed the many virtues of email marketing. For example, by using Constant Contact, she has grown her subscriber list from 100 people to 800. Since I started using Constant Contact, my web sales have increased by 50%. It's the biggest bang for my marketing buck."We added people who requested to be on the list and added our active customers. It is completely permission-based. Each and every person requested to receive our emails," she says.

Jennifer is careful about the promotions she sends. "I want email marketing to be 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." For instance, Jennifer sends out monthly Internet-only promotions that include free shipping or 25% off certain products.

Jennifer has also discovered an added benefit of Constant Contact's email marketing service. She now uses it to communicate with her sales reps. "I use email marketing to send the reps updates on the new products and promotions they should be talking about."

Results: Bagging New and Repeat Customers on the Web

As the owner of a thriving small business, Jennifer has her hands full—and Constant Contact helps her get a lot done in a short amount of time. "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 has had great results with Constant Contact. She finds it much more efficient and successful than other kinds of marketing. "We've done direct mail campaigns to the return customers on our list, but the results are hard to quantify. Plus, direct mail is time-consuming and expensive. I don't have to fret over spending money on email marketing because I know it works."

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," she says.