Email marketing might not be the newest marketing trend — but for small businesses, it's still one of the most reliable ways to stay in front of customers and generate repeat business.
💡 According to Litmus, the average return on investment for email marketing is $36 for every $1 spent.
So why don’t more small businesses take advantage of it?
Most business owners are simply too busy — or unsure what to send, how often, or what to write about. That’s where this guide comes in.
Below are three high-impact email campaigns you can start sending right away — no complicated tech or big marketing team required. Just simple, effective emails that help you build trust, stay top of mind, and bring customers back through your door.
Your newsletter doesn’t need to be long, fancy, or filled with discounts. It just needs to be consistent and helpful.
Think of this email as a friendly nudge — a way to keep your business in your customers’ minds without constantly “selling.”
Subject: “AC Tip: Save Money by Changing This Filter”
Body Snippet:
“Hey there! Just a quick tip as summer ramps up — dirty filters can raise your energy bill by 15% or more. We recommend swapping them out every 60 days. If you’re overdue, we’d be happy to take a look. Book your seasonal check-up here.”
Why it works:
📅 How often to send: Once a month is perfect. Don’t overdo it.
If you’re not asking for reviews, you’re leaving leads on the table. A single 5-star Google review can be the difference between getting called or being ignored.
That said — the way you ask for reviews matters.
Subject: “Mind leaving us a quick review?”
Body:
“Thanks again for choosing us! It was a pleasure working with you. If you had a great experience, we’d love if you could leave a quick review — it really helps small businesses like ours stand out online.
👉 [Leave a review on Google]”
Pro Tip: Use your short Google review link (e.g., g.page/yourbiz/review) to make it as easy as possible.
📅 When to send:
3–5 days after service — while the experience is still fresh
Every business has “quiet” customers — the ones who haven’t booked or bought in 6+ months. That doesn’t mean they’re gone forever.
A well-timed re-engagement email can bring them back.
Subject: “Still thinking about that project?”
Body:
“It’s been a little while since we last connected — hope everything’s going great on your end! If your to-do list still includes [project/service], we’d love to help.
Book by [date] and get [discount or bonus]. Just reply or click below to schedule.”
Why it works:
📅 When to send:
Once or twice a year to older clients or leads who went quiet
Even if you have a small list, consider breaking it into:
Sending slightly different messages to each group — even if just changing the intro line — can dramatically improve engagement.
Q: How often should I email my list?
Start with once a month. That’s enough to stay visible without annoying your list. If you add automation (like post-service review requests), you can increase frequency with purpose.
Q: What platform should I use?
For small service-based businesses, I recommend:
Q: What if I don’t have time to write these?
No problem — you can batch them once per quarter, or better yet, have someone write them for you (hint: we do that).
You don’t need to send daily emails or write essays. But you do need to stay in touch with your customers. Because if you’re not showing up in their inbox, someone else is.
These three email campaigns are easy to set up, cost nothing to send, and can have a massive impact on your bottom line over time.
Want help building a monthly email plan or automating your follow-ups? That’s what we handle inside the Growth Stack.
👉 Book a free strategy call or email us here
— Matt Dean
Dean Design · Greenville, SC
Subscribe to get simple, actionable tips on websites, email, and local marketing — no fluff, just results.
Join the newsletter for simple, proven strategies on websites, email, content, and local SEO — all tailored for service-based businesses.
