If you run a café or coffee shop in the Cotswolds, chances are your day-to-day is full. Brewing, baking, chatting to regulars, managing staff, and trying to stay on top of everything else. The idea of starting email marketing might feel like something for bigger businesses with marketing teams and lots of spare time.
But done right, it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase loyalty, grow lifetime value, and keep your customers coming back.
Why a mailing list is worth having
Social media has its place, but the people who follow you there do not always see what you post. Email is different. It goes directly to people who have chosen to hear from you, and it gives you more control over when and how you reach them.
A good mailing list lets you:
- Stay in touch with regulars even when they are not dropping in
- Share updates like seasonal menus, quiet hours, or special events
- Offer perks like loyalty rewards or early access to new products
- Encourage repeat visits by keeping your café top of mind
And because you own the list, you are not relying on algorithms or paid ads to reach your audience.
It increases customer lifetime value
Someone who pops in once for a flat white is worth a few pounds. But someone who comes back every week for a year? That is hundreds.
Email helps bridge the gap between first visit and long-term loyalty. A quiet reminder of a new pastry or a midweek offer can be all it takes to turn a one-off customer into a regular. Over time, that has a real impact on your revenue without needing more footfall. Just better retention.
You can start collecting emails today
You do not need a complex setup or a full CRM to begin. Here are three ways to start building your list with almost no extra effort:
Add a prompt at the till – A simple sign offering a free drink after five visits, tracked via email, can encourage regulars to sign up (loyalty apps are also available via subscription)
Use your Wi-Fi login– Set up a splash page that collects email addresses before giving access to your free Wi-Fi.
Offer small perks – Early access to seasonal drinks, behind-the-scenes updates, or a monthly draw for a free cake are all easy incentives to join your list.
Once you have got a few names, send a fortnightly email. Share your specials. Tell people when it is unusually quiet. Show off that new bake you are proud of. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to sound like you.
Want help setting it up?
We help Cotswold cafés and small businesses build simple, low-effort email systems that run quietly in the background and keep customers coming back.
If you are ready to start growing your list without adding more to your plate, get in touch. We will help you keep it local, personal and easy to manage.
