When email marketing is done correctly, you can see a significant increase in your business. However, when it’s not done properly, you can become a nightmare to your current and potential customers thereby destroying future opportunities.
In fact, studies by the Direct Marketing Association suggest that many of their clients see a $60 return on every $1 spent. That is an unbelievably favorable statistic! While you may not see that level of return right away, at least you know that the potential is there. It’s always nice to have a little motivation to help you achieve your goals.
Be Careful Not to Spam
Years ago, you could send an email to nearly anyone and it would end up in their inbox. Today there are spam bots who will quickly throw your emails away before they have the chance to be viewed. The easiest way to make sure that this doesn’t happen to you is to use a confirmation email. This way you at least know that your messages are making it to the inbox and you can only hope they are being read.
Get Personal
Few people will open a general email. If you take a few minutes and really think about your subject, you can make it appear targeted for the receiver, even if it’s going out to 1,000 people. If you are like most business owners, you probably have a small niche so targeting really should not be that difficult to do. Keep your subject title relevant to the content too! Don’t offer a coupon for a dog leash and then have the email be about dog training with no coupon. You will lose trust and your readers will be less likely to open future emails from you.
Don’t Overdo It
Sending multiple emails a day is something that should be avoided. Be the person who is always a welcome guest, not someone who overstays their welcome. If you have a good reason to send a daily email, go ahead. Otherwise, be a little more selective with your targeting. For example, if you are selling a product, Friday emails with one-day coupons or free shipping are always a good idea since most people are getting paid that day.
Don’t be Generic
Don’t even think about sending the same or very similar emails back-to-back. If you can’t take the time to be a little more original, why should your readers spend their valuable time reading what you have to say?
Keep in mind, not all of your emails have to be a hard sell. Sometimes it’s nice just to tell your readers to have a great weekend. This may make them more interested in seeing what you have to say next time your email comes through their inbox.
Get Your Readers Involved
Offering VIP programs or special incentives will give your readers a reason to look forward to your emails. Perhaps offer giveaways or invite them to comment on your Facebook page for a chance to win the weekly prize, etc. The more involved you get them, the more they will trust you on a personal level which will dictate to future sales and referrals.
This is a guest post from Neil at eMobileScan. Who are a Web based store operating throughout Europe and supply handheld computers like the MC65 and barcode scanners like the Symbol Ls2208 to some of Europe’s leading retailers.