Email marketing is an effective way for small businesses to raise brand awareness and reach new customers. If you're new to email marketing here are some email marketing tips to get you started.
Email marketing tips
Determine your goal
Decide what the purpose of your email is and what format it will take. What do you want to achieve from it - e.g. brand building, sales?
Decide on the frequency
Decide how often you will send your emails. What is appropriate to the type of content, target audience, objective and internal resource?
Build a database
Build your email database - read our five tips on how to grow your email marketing list.
Let people know what to expect
When people sign up be sure to let them know what to expect - i.e. type of content and frequency.
Segment your database
Separate out your list into sub-groups or categories so you can tailor email content accordingly.
Plan your campaigns
Work out a schedule of emails so the content is planned and fits your overall objective.
Write a compelling subject header
The email subject is crucial as this is the only thing standing between your email and the trash folder. Read our nine tips on email subject headers.
Make sure the email works on mobile
Be aware of how your email will display on smartphones and tablets. A single column template works best.
Include calls to action
Include relevant calls to action. Make them big and bold. Think about what action you want the recipient to take and make it easy for them to do so.
Keep it short
If your email is quite content heavy summarise your articles and include links to your website for the full article. This makes it more user friendly and encourages click throughs to your website.
Use images
Images break up the content and make it more visually appealing.
Include sub-headings
Make it easy for recipients to scan the text and easily pick out which bits they want to read.
Include contact details
Include contact details so recipients can easily get in touch.
Proof
Check for typos before you send. Preferably ask someone who hasn't seen it to proof it.
Enable unsubscribe
Ensure there is a clear link for recipients to unsubscribe if they choose.
Test first
Send a test email to check it sends and displays correctly.
Time delivery
Schedule your email to arrive at the optimum time for increased open rates. Email platforms such as MailChimp can do this for you.
Analyse the results
Monitor open rates, click-throughs and unsubscribes to analyse what works best. Do more of what works and less of what doesn't.
Keep it up
Stick to your advertised frequency. If you promised a monthly email then make sure you deliver one.
Email marketing can be an extremely cost-effective way to communicate with your prospective and existing customers and generate sales. We find MailChimp is a good email marketing tool for small businesses and is easy to use. We also have our own monthly email marketing newsletter Marketing Tips which you can sign up to here.
We run email marketing campaigns for several clients. If you'd like any email marketing help please call us on 01395 901116.