At some point in our lives, we’ve all been bombarded with spam emails. Most of us have learned to avoid these irritating messages, but there are some we can’t help but open. For those of us that still manage to get caught up in the deluge of unsolicited emails, here’s some insider knowledge on how to have a better email marketing experience.
Create A Vision Statement
It’s amazing how much someone’s life can change for the better once they develop an idea of what they want out of their life. Having a vision statement is a great way to start creating the perfect email marketing experience. A vision statement articulates the type of person you want to become and the world you want to live in. It will help you determine your purpose in life and guide you in your decision-making. When crafting your vision statement, it’s important to be as specific as possible. Use action verbs to paint a clear picture of what you’ll actually be doing once you’ve achieved your goals.
For example, if you’re passionate about fashion, you could say, “I will actively seek out fashion publications and learn about fashion trends so I can better understand what my customers want.” Specific, right? You’re making a direct correlation between your actions and your goals. That’s what makes it seem like you’ll actually be able to accomplish your vision. It’s almost as if you were reading someone else’s biography and they happened to be you! In real life, we don’t always have the luxury of being able to choose what company we work for, who we spend our time with, or what geographical location we inhabit. Having a vision statement helps you find the freedom to decide these things for yourself.
Choose A List Of Worthwhile Topics
When it comes to email marketing, one of the first things potential customers or subscribers will do is scan your email for keywords. If you want to ensure your emails are easily discoverable by your audience, it’s important to put thought into your subject lines and email pitches. To that end, create a list of worthwhile topics to cover in your emails. Your email vendor will then have an easy-to-find list of relevant topics to include in your content. If you want to be the go-to source for information on your chosen subject, consider writing an expert paper on the matter. Not only will this make you seem like an expert, but it will also establish you as an authority in your industry. When writing your content, make sure that your language is simple and straightforward. Avoid over-using complex language and technical jargon. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas for your list of worthwhile topics, try looking at the news for relevant topics. You could also focus on a personal experience as the basis for your next topic. For example, you could write an email about how to dress better for a ski holiday or a summer holiday depending on the season. The possibilities are endless!
Personalise Your Emails
A/B testing is a great way to determine the effectiveness of various elements in your emails. With A/B testing, you send out a version of your email with two different subject lines or with two different pitches for two different customers. If you want to personalise your emails even further, you could consider testing different fonts, colors, and designs for your emails.
Keep It Short
The attention span of today’s digital native is short. People are constantly receiving and dealing with a staggering amount of information in their day-to-day lives. As a result, the attention span of your audience is being squeezed. People are hitting the delete button more frequently than they’re hitting the send button. In a bid to keep their attention, modern marketers are prioritising brevity. Keep your emails short and sweet. People want to get to the point quickly and easily. If your emails are overly long, they’ll likely skim through them rather than take the time to find what they’re looking for. Keep your emails between 1-2 sentences. If you keep your sentences short and sweet, you’ll minimise the possibility of your email being rejected by the recipient.
Avoid Free Email Services
The term “free email service” can be a bit of a misnomer. Sure, many of these services are 100% free, but that doesn’t mean the terms of service are. For example, if you opt-in for their newsletters, they’ll be pushing emails to your inbox every day. If you don’t want to become a slave to your inbox, consider opting out of these newsletters instead.
Not only that, but you have no control over what kind of ads you’ll see in your inbox. You have no control over whether or not these ads will be tied to marketing campaigns or what products or services they’ll be advertising. Ultimately, you could end up in a situation where you’re being bombarded with ads for products and services you don’t need.
Create Contests And Giveaways
If you’re looking for an easy way to get more engaged subscribers and drive more traffic to your site, consider creating a contest or giveaway. The term “contest” can be a little misleading; it can also mean an opportunity for the audience to vote or choose something. To create an engaging contest, use an incentive of some kind. It could be a monetary prize, a trip to a cool location, or a combination of the two.
Use Social Media To Gain Supportive Feedback
If you’re keen to hear how others feel about your product or service, take advantage of the platforms designed for reaching your target audience. For example, if you’re marketing your email list to small businesses, consider reaching out to your social media followers for feedback. You can also ask customers to leave their review on Google or other review platforms.
On the other side of the coin, if you’ve launched a new product and are looking for customers to try it out, consider launching a social media campaign. The key here is to find a way of engaging with your audience. If you can develop a rapport with your followers, you’ll gain credibility and trust. While you should always be looking to improve your product or service, the truth is no one is perfect.
Above all else, be authentic. If you want to create a memorable email marketing experience for yourself and your subscribers, consider using a service that provides customer support. When potential customers or subscribers reach out for assistance, they’ll feel that your company values their opinion and that your brand is genuine and approachable. To that end, having a live person answering customer questions is the ultimate in customer support. Even if you’re answering questions via email, a live, responsive human being is the ultimate in support.