Avoid These Email Marketing Mistakes
- ARTICLES |
Email marketing can be very effective for promoting your
business. It is a tricky area though and it is easy to make
common email marketing mistakes if you don't know the right
methods to use. This can be frustrating for you as it will cost
you money yet not generate any additional sells. Here are some
common email marketing mistakes and pitfalls you need to be
aware of. It will make your marketing strategies more effective.
Consumers want to feel like they are a person to your business,
not just a statistic. Take the time to address each email
personally. It is more expensive, but it is more effective. You
will get a much better response then something addressed to
'Dear Customer". Don't use dollar signs in your email marketing
campaign. It is turn off to consumers who view it as you only
want their money. Don't use email marketing during the holidays.
Customers are flooded with them and yours won't stand out.
People are too busy and stressed to relax and read email that is
not personal or important at this time of year. If you want to
market for the holidays then you need to do it early at least
before Thanksgiving.
Consumers don't have a lot of patience! Your email message needs
to jump out at them the moment they open it. Put the most
enticing information first with the other details further down.
They are more likely to read the entire email message if you get
their attention from the start. As each consumer is different,
so is their computer set up and the type of program they use.
Don't assume the email will open up the same in every type of
email service. You will need to test it out for each popular
email service. Always give the consumer the option of opening
the email in either html or plain text.
Confidentiality is very important to consumers. Make sure your
email sign up clearly states that you will not sell their
information and that it will be kept confidential and secure.
You will be surprised how many people won't sign up for your
email promotions if you don't offer this bit of information.
There are rules and regulations out there regarding what you can
and can't do when it comes to email marketing. Make sure you are
familiar with those laws. They vary by country so if you do
global marketing make sure you check the regulations for each
area you will be sending them to. Failure to do so can lead to
huge fines for your business.
Don't make the mistake of thinking you know what your consumers
want. If you really want to know what they are after then take
the time to ask. Be open to their comments, questions,
suggestions, and concerns. Letting them know you are available
for such customer service is a great way to earn their loyalty.
It is easy to sell something to a consumer but much harder to
please them so they will come back again and again.
If you are new to email marketing, consult with a professional.
This will make the entire process flow easier for you as well as
yield better results. Take the time to research the consultant
before using them. As for references and talk about what your
goals are. If the consultant is not willing to make your goals a
priority then don't work with them. Are you afraid to spend a
large amount of your revenue on marketing? Consider working with
a broker consultant. This means you only pay them for the actual
positive results the marketing brings you. They will be paid
based on the traffic they generate for your site or the amount
of new sales resulting from the email marketing. Make sure what
ever method you choose is clear to both parties and in writing.
Make sure the time frame that they will receive benefits for is
clear as well.
To Your Success,
BIG John
P.S.
You don't want unhappy subscribers to your email marketing
campaigns. The laws require you to offer a link where customers
can unsubscribe. While you want to do all you can to keep them
reading your emails, it is important to respect their wishes and
remove them from the mailing list immediately. They will become
very frustrated if they continue to receive them once they have
asked to be removed. It can cost you their future business.
Email marketing can be effective for your business if you keep
these common mistakes from becoming part of your marketing plan.
business. It is a tricky area though and it is easy to make
common email marketing mistakes if you don't know the right
methods to use. This can be frustrating for you as it will cost
you money yet not generate any additional sells. Here are some
common email marketing mistakes and pitfalls you need to be
aware of. It will make your marketing strategies more effective.
Consumers want to feel like they are a person to your business,
not just a statistic. Take the time to address each email
personally. It is more expensive, but it is more effective. You
will get a much better response then something addressed to
'Dear Customer". Don't use dollar signs in your email marketing
campaign. It is turn off to consumers who view it as you only
want their money. Don't use email marketing during the holidays.
Customers are flooded with them and yours won't stand out.
People are too busy and stressed to relax and read email that is
not personal or important at this time of year. If you want to
market for the holidays then you need to do it early at least
before Thanksgiving.
Consumers don't have a lot of patience! Your email message needs
to jump out at them the moment they open it. Put the most
enticing information first with the other details further down.
They are more likely to read the entire email message if you get
their attention from the start. As each consumer is different,
so is their computer set up and the type of program they use.
Don't assume the email will open up the same in every type of
email service. You will need to test it out for each popular
email service. Always give the consumer the option of opening
the email in either html or plain text.
Confidentiality is very important to consumers. Make sure your
email sign up clearly states that you will not sell their
information and that it will be kept confidential and secure.
You will be surprised how many people won't sign up for your
email promotions if you don't offer this bit of information.
There are rules and regulations out there regarding what you can
and can't do when it comes to email marketing. Make sure you are
familiar with those laws. They vary by country so if you do
global marketing make sure you check the regulations for each
area you will be sending them to. Failure to do so can lead to
huge fines for your business.
Don't make the mistake of thinking you know what your consumers
want. If you really want to know what they are after then take
the time to ask. Be open to their comments, questions,
suggestions, and concerns. Letting them know you are available
for such customer service is a great way to earn their loyalty.
It is easy to sell something to a consumer but much harder to
please them so they will come back again and again.
If you are new to email marketing, consult with a professional.
This will make the entire process flow easier for you as well as
yield better results. Take the time to research the consultant
before using them. As for references and talk about what your
goals are. If the consultant is not willing to make your goals a
priority then don't work with them. Are you afraid to spend a
large amount of your revenue on marketing? Consider working with
a broker consultant. This means you only pay them for the actual
positive results the marketing brings you. They will be paid
based on the traffic they generate for your site or the amount
of new sales resulting from the email marketing. Make sure what
ever method you choose is clear to both parties and in writing.
Make sure the time frame that they will receive benefits for is
clear as well.
To Your Success,
BIG John
P.S.
You don't want unhappy subscribers to your email marketing
campaigns. The laws require you to offer a link where customers
can unsubscribe. While you want to do all you can to keep them
reading your emails, it is important to respect their wishes and
remove them from the mailing list immediately. They will become
very frustrated if they continue to receive them once they have
asked to be removed. It can cost you their future business.
Email marketing can be effective for your business if you keep
these common mistakes from becoming part of your marketing plan.