Sunday, 3 November 2013

Solid Advice To Make Email Marketing Work For You

By Sara Ezan


When you are trying to market your business, it can be hard to know which marketing techniques to focus on. Email marketing can be a strong, fundamental part of any marketing plan. Here are some useful email marketing tips to strengthen your overall marketing strategy, and to build your bottom line.

Be persistent in your attempts to reach customers. You don't have to send emails daily, but keep in mind that you may not capture a customer's attention, or business, until he or she has been exposed to your brand or products several times. Touch base often, but not so frequently that it seems too annoying.

Be especially careful when crafting your first three emails to new customers. A new customer should get an introductory email inviting them to join your marketing list. Once they accept your invitation, the next email should tell them about discounts or special offers they can expect to get now that they've signed up. The third email should contain their first newsletter and their special offer.

Test the format of your email. Always put the most important information and new offers on the top of your emails. Trying out different layouts will help you find what works the best. Then, when you figure out what works for you, you want to use it to your advantage. This will give your consumers an idea of what they could expect from you, as well as giving them information on where they could read about you.

You usually don't want to send emails around major holidays. Your emails may get overlooked since many people aren't around their computers at this time. Of course, as always there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if you're having a holiday sale, especially a Black Friday sale, you might want to send an email over the holiday.

Give customers the choice of getting a plain text version of your email marketing materials or a rich text version. Customers can choose the option they prefer when they sign up for your newsletter. Plain text versions don't include graphics, so customers with slower connections or overactive spam filters might appreciate this option.

Use your email marketing to get your customers more involved with other promotion portals. For example, always give readers several ways to learn more about what every email is discussing. End every email with your contact information and web address, encourage them to share special promotions through Facebook "Like" buttons or direct them to a video that shows them how best to use a new product.

Consider following up with a rumor that a sale is about to end. Insert a statement that tells your clients to subscribe immediately so that they can take advantage of this sale. The closing of the email could tell them not to miss out on this incredible opportunity and to act now.

Give customers the choice of getting a plain text version of your email marketing materials or a rich text version. Customers can choose the option they prefer when they sign up for your newsletter. Plain text versions don't include graphics, so customers with slower connections or overactive spam filters might appreciate this option.

Test sending your email marketing on different days of the week and at various times during the day. You'll find that different times and dates will increase or decrease your open rates to your emails. Note the best time/day of the week mixtures and plan your most important email marketing campaigns to be released during those windows.

An effective way to create an email marketing list is to give users an option to sign up for your mailing list on your website. You may choose to include a subscription form on your site, but ensure that it is easy to find and simple to use.

It is significantly more effective to build your own e-mail list for e-mail marketing than to purchase a list, or acquire the services of a marketing company that has their own lists. The reason for this is that everyone who submits their e-mail address to be a part of your list is interested in the services or products that you have to offer. These people are far more likely to be receptive to your e-mail.

Now that you've read this article, you know how to make email marketing work for you. Apply these tips, and you're sure to see results. Feel free to experiment with what you've learned and develop new strategies of your own. A little emailing can go a very, very long way.



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