Email Marketing is still one of the most important types of marketing. People check their email multiple times a day, whether on a computer, smart phone, tablet or other device.
Benefits:
- It can be more cost effective than direct mailing; you do not need to pay for printing or postage.
- People can opt-out of receiving emails instead of throwing away the postcard.
- Emails are delivered almost immediately rather than waiting for the mail.
- People almost always have access to email.
There are a few things that a business owner needs to remember to create an effective email. There are two parts to an email marketing campaign.
You need to make the email eye-catching and appealing to the customers.
- The subject line is the first, and sometimes the only part of your email that a customer will see. The subject line needs to catch the customer’s attention.
- If you are including pictures in the email, you should include alt tags for subscribers who do not download the images automatically. Pictures are always recommended to catch a customer’s attention.
- The pre-header text should be creative. Do not use the standard, “If you are having difficulty viewing…”
- Make sure to include text in the email to describe what you are trying to advertise. Do not only use pictures.
- The email and campaign needs to be relevant to your subscribers. The content and timing is important.
- Make the emails interactive. They should be easily shared through social media sites.
You need to constantly reassess and revise your campaigns.
- Always try to increase the number of subscribers you have in your email list.
- It should be easy to opt into your email marketing. Also, make it easy to sign up. Avoid long questionnaires and in-depth applications.
- You need to make sure that your emails are relevant to your subscribers.
- Make sure you are always collecting data and running analytics.
- To increase sales you should cross-sell products. You should check the customer satisfaction and add new programs to get customers to come back.
- Easier to keep analytics, and most companies provide you with statistics for every email marketing campaign.
Written By: Stephanie Dunaieff, May 5, 2014