Many businesses make use of email marketing. There are a number of benefits to this form of marketing. It can be extremely cost effective as unlike sending a letter, sending an email doesn’t cost anything (although you may be paying for professional email marketing services). An advantage over calling potential customers is that calling at an inconvenient time can mean a lost opportunity. If you email at an inconvenient time, the recipient can read it when it suits them. Below is some email marketing advice with some tips on running a successful campaign.

Research Your Readers

To need to know who you are sending your emails too. You don’t want to just send then to as many people as possible hoping that you will somehow capture some business. This will be a waste of time, and if you are paying for email marketing services, money. You need to decide upon a target audience to make sure you are sending them to those likely to be interested in what you are offering.

Clarity

Clarity is very important in an email marketing campaign. Like any type of advertising, you have to make sure it is made clear who you are, what you do, and how your products or services can be beneficial. While being important that you get your message across, you shouldn’t overcomplicate things.

Your Email Must Stand Out

With email marketing first impressions are everything. It is easier for someone to delete your email (and therefore never read it again) than read it. You need to hook them in and not ramble on about unrelated matters before getting to the point further down the page. You need to interest them early and be unique. You should be as brief as possible and concise.

People Don’t Trust Emails

Most people receive a lot of spam emails and when receiving something they are not expecting may be inclined to delete it immediately. Make sure your emails aren’t mistaken for spam. Use a descriptive title to give readers an accurate idea of what the email could be, without seeming spammy.

Build Trust

It might be a good idea to offer your readers something for free with your first email to them. This could simply be some useful or informative information (without giving away your secrets). This will make them more likely to read future emails. Not trying to sell anything with your first correspondence is a good way to built trust.

Personalisation

Where possible treat readers as individuals so they don’t feel as though they are just one person on a long list. Use their name if you can and aim to meet their individual needs.

Andrew Marshall (c)