I’m going to go against the crowd here. Most people (especially those that are trying to get more organized in the new year) are going to tell you, unsubscribe to emails! Stop getting so many emails!! I’m going to tell you the opposite: sign up for more email!
No, I haven’t lost my mind, and no, I don’t want you to be buried in emails. Really, I don’t.
I’m not talking about getting random emails. I just suggest you sign up for the email list of all of the stores you like to shop at.
Why?
Because they often give you better deals than you’ll get if you just look around online for them.
Sometimes, you’ll even get free stuff!
Here are a few examples of actual emails I’ve gotten over the past year:
- Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor loft have sent emails for an additional 10% – 15% off your purchase in store. I looked online, and didn’t see these available for just anyone to print out, so it was only for those on their list.
- Soma sent me $10 off of any purchase to use on my birthday.
- Talbots sent me an email with $20 off any purchase, although I think it was a little over a year ago…but still, awesome.
- $20 Free at Chico’s. Because I am on the email list for Soma and never shopped at Chico’s before, last week they sent me a $20 off of $20 to use in store. So yesterday I went to the store and ended up getting a really nice sweater for just $6 after the sale price, plus 40% off, and then the $20 off.
- Restaurants: Buy 1 get 1 entree free at Macaroni Grill, free entrees all the time (plus discounts) at P.F. Changs. You name it. At least once a week I get a discount for a restaurant. While some of these are easy to find and print out on the web, not all of them are. Plus it’s so much easier to have them in your inbox!
- …plus so much more.
Tip: It works for “real” mail too. I’ve gotten coupons sent to me in the mail, often with a catalogue. I got $50 off $100 with a Soma catalog a few months ago, a $20 off any purchase from Talbots, and a lot more. If you’re willing to give out your address, you’ll get some good coupons from it.
Before you tell me that you get way too much email already, and you can’t do this. Consider this: It doesn’t have to be your main email address. Maybe you want to create a shopping email, and use that email for all of the stores you want to be on the lists of.
You’ll see how often you get emails. And yes, while many of them are just “shop here” emails, and sales that you can find out about online, I guarantee you’ll start seeing things you wouldn’t have gotten if you weren’t on their email list.
Oh! And your birthday is the best time to be on these lists. A lot of companies will either give you special discounts or free items just because it’s your birthday and they want to get you in the door. Last year I had my pick of free entrees for where I wanted to spend my birthday dinner…and they’re usually good for at least a week or two, not just your birthday.
So while most people balk at the thought of getting on more email lists, I’m always really happy to give out my email address to a company that I like. You want to send me coupons, free stuff, and great deals? Of course I’ll say YES!
Enjoy,
