Sunday, September 23, 2012

Smart Solutions To Help You Succeed At Email Marketing

By Daniel Will


Email marketing is a subject that usually sends people looking the other way when they hear about it. However, if you arm yourself with the necessary knowledge, it can be an invaluable tool for growing your business.

When sending follow-up emails to potential customers, consider including a testimonial or endorsement in the message. Add a statement within the message which would inform them of any benefits they could expect right now. You could include a link at the bottom of the mailing to tell them how to submit an order, for instance.

It is vital that you develop brand recognition, even in the emails you send. For that reason, you should take the time to design a template that allows you to incorporate your company logo, colors and any special fonts also featured on your site or other marketing materials. This will instantly let your reader know that the email came from your company.

It may be wise to make customers confirm their email address twice when subscribing to emails. People often don't type their email addresses correctly. Common errors include transposing two characters or using the wrong TLD (.net instead of .com, for instance). When you ask them to enter information twice, it helps you to confirm that what they have input is correct. This will help ensure that your emails get to the individuals who want to receive them.

Your messages should be made as personal as possible. Customers will have a more positive response to these types of messages as opposed to those that are impersonal and bland. Sending messages from higher ups, like the President or CEO, can boost your impression with your readers.

Do not add email addresses to your mailing list without the explicit permission of the individual who owns it. Adding random emails to your list will not only draw the ire of the owner of those emails, but other customers, as well. It may be the case that your service provider also takes action against you, even removing you from the service, for violating spam regulations.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your opt-in list is truly opt-in, so include an email confirmation as an added security measure. To do this, subscribers should receive an automatic email from your website requesting that they confirm their interest in subscribing to the email list. Put two links within the email, allowing a customer to indicate whether they would like to refute or confirm their subscription. Not only will your customers like this security measure, but you will also benefit from possessing proof that not a single email of yours can be thought of as spam.

When you set up your email marketing messages, try to use a personal tone in each. Your customers will then have a personal image of your site rather than one that is negative or impersonal. Sign the message with the name of your company's president or CEO to impress your customers.

In order for your subscribers to feel special, try to personalize the emails you send them any way you possibly can. If they see your message as a form letter, it will be deleted and you will be blocked. Adding in their first name is very easy, but take it step further. Try to retain data about the time, place and reason for their initial registration with you. Make use of such data in your emails.

When you have done it correctly, your readers may not even be aware that your email marketing plan was in fact marketing. When you offer valuable services to your customers, they will anxiously anticipate reading the messages that you send out. This will help you to increase business and build your brand. The end result is that you attract clients who are happy to spend money on your company. Use the knowledge you have received by reading this article to better your email marketing efforts.




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