Email marketing, campaigns, and subject lines are the holy grail for a successful business. If executed well and correctly, email marketing can be a very useful tactic that can make or break your business’s success. In fact, research conducted by Litmus suggested that every $1 spent on email marketing gives an ROI of a staggering $36, which shows the amazing potential that this marketing method has.
Now, if your business is new to the game, don’t freak out! We are here to guide you using very simple baby steps on how to ace email marketing tactics. If email marketing is a strategy, then your campaign and subject lines are the words through which you are communicating with your customers. It’s not as easy to nail as you think. Let’s find out more about how to be a good email marketer using tips and a few awesome tricks we have up our sleeves!
Where did Email Marketing Begin?
Now, before we even get to the real deal of how to do email marketing, we want you to know a piece of history of where it even began! Most people say that email marketing was born in 1978, and the first email was sent only seven years before that. It was just ‘nother fine morning when marketing experts decided that it was time to use emails to promote their business.
We know you’re thinking people didn’t even have the internet back then; what was the use of email marketing? Well, it turned out to be a surprise that actually worked and the first successful email marketing campaign initiator was rewarded with a whopping $13 million in sales. And… the rest is history!
Of course, email marketing has grown so much since then, and now businesses have opened their eyes to the untapped potential of this gold mine of sales.
What is Email Marketing?
Think about email marketing as a very basic but useful digital marketing strategy: you create an email for a purpose, craft it, send it over to customers, and wait for the results. Every email marketer has a specific goal in mind, some want to increase their brand’s awareness, others want to make sales(don’t we all), and some might want engagement on their website.
The goal can be different, but the process is somewhat the same, and we will explain it later on.
Here is a quick rundown of how each of the businesses uses email marketing:
- If you’re an ecommerce business, you can use this for selling products, selling out the old ones or introducing a new product in the market.
- Small business owners prefer email marketing to break the ice with potential customers and build good relationships over time.
- Large enterprises use email marketing on a massive scale, reaching millions of customers at once, which can drive more sales for them.
Email Marketing Campaigns: How do they work?
The working of email marketing campaigns is pretty simple. Before a business begins with a campaign, it must decide on an email marketing strategy and target audience. Your audience is EVERYTHING, they will be the ones deciding the fate of your business, so choose accordingly. Now, you can have more than the target audience as well; the bigger the better, to be honest.
Once you’ve identified the audience, the next step is to let your marketing expats develop a strategy. This is very personal to you and your business, and you can’t just use another brand’s strategy for your own(it might even backfire).
After deciding on the campaign strategy, you can go ahead and use this as a base for creating and sending emails to potential customers.
7 Tips to Build a Killer Email Marketing Campaign
Here are 7 very useful tips to keep in mind that will help you create a killer email marketing campaign that rocks every single time!
Define the People you want to reach
It doesn’t matter what your business is selling; having a good understanding of what your target audience is is very important. Almost half of your marketing strategy depends on how you identify your audience. Now, you might think it’s such an easy task, but it’s not. If you really want to nail this first step, you have to THINK like a customer, what your needs are, what solution your product can provide, and other important considerations.
Make good use of email marketing trends and analyze them for the decision-making habits of your existing customers. What variation of your product do they prefer? At what point do they approach you for a specific product or service? How often do they show interest in your emails, and what social media platforms do they visit?
Choose an Email Marketing List
Okay, here’s the deal – to make your emails pop, send them to the right crowd.
Say you’ve got a local deal or event from a big-name brand. Keep it local! Target the folks who can actually swing by.
Now, let’s get personal. Think age, think gender. It’s like tailoring your message to your buddy’s taste in music – specific and spot-on.
Here’s the no-go zone: never buy email lists. Seriously, it’s like crashing a party uninvited. Not cool. Plus, it messes up your email game and might even land you in spam town. No one wants that.
Sorting Your Email Squad
Always remember, don’t put all your email subscription list in one bucket. Some of them might be your usual long-term customers, while others might only be browsing through your products and researching the kind of company you are. The email marketing approach for potential clients and your loyal clients is very different, so make sure to segment them at this stage.
Once you start racking up subscribers, it’s time to play matchmaker. Enter “segmenting” – a game-changer in email land. Seriously, businesses have hit the jackpot with a 760% revenue boost just by doing this. So, let’s get on the segmentation train.
How? Easy peasy. Group your subscribers based on the following:
- Purchase behavior
- Website behavior
- Age
- Location
Why bother? Because it lets you serve up emails that hit the bullseye. Picture this: you run a clothing store. Ladies get the 411 on the hottest styles, while the guys hear about the freshest menswear.
Spice Up Your Email Look
Listen up, your email’s got to be a visual feast, not just a word buffet. Follow these tips to jazz up your design:
- Show off your style: Slap on that logo, splash your brand colors and use your go-to fonts. Keep it real with your brand’s vibe.
- Give it some breathing room: White space is your friend. Let your content chill with some blank spaces. It’s like the designer version of fresh air – clean and profesh.
- Picture this: Text-only emails are so last season. Toss in some pics and GIFs to make your emails pop. A flashy header image? Boom, an instant attention grabber.
- Mobile magic: Don’t be the email that looks wonky on phones. Opt for responsive designs that shine on both big screens and tiny ones. No one likes squinting or waiting for images to load, right?
- Hierarchy hustle: Get your design organized. Font size matters a lot. Vary them, align stuff, and create a flow. It’s like a roadmap for the eyes.
Customers + Customization= Your Success
Let’s spill the tea on what makes your emails stand out – personalization. Dive into the world of custom fields for targeted campaigns, and you’ve got the key to winning hearts.
- Ever hear your name and perk up? It’s like that in emails. Toss their name in the subject line, and watch them click faster than you can say “personal touch.”
- Know what they’ve been eyeing? Custom fields spill the beans on recent browsing. It’s like saying, “We see you, and we’ve got what you want.”
- Even if you’ve only got a name, use it wisely. Personalization turns your emails into a bespoke experience. It’s like you wrote it just for them.
Ready to hit ‘Send’? Here’s Your Must-Do Checklist:
- Check Your List: Take a final peek at your send list. No accidental exclusions or mystery inclusions.
- Spelling Patrol: Typos sneak in when you least expect them. Scan your email and subject line like a hawk.
- Personal Touch: If you’re throwing in personalization tags, make sure they’ve got a backup plan. No awkward “Dear [First Name]” moments!
- Test Drive: Send a preview to your inbox. Check it on your desktop, tablet, and phone. It’s like making sure your outfit looks good from every angle.
- Interact & Adjust: Click links, tap buttons – and play with it. If something’s wonky, fix it now. Your audience will thank you.
Once your checklist gives the green light, hit that schedule button and watch your emails take flight!
Keep an Eye on the Numbers
In the email world, data is your ride-or-die.
Check the stats from your email campaign to tweak and level up. Low open rates? Time to rethink those subject lines and content.
Make it a weekly date with your data. Even if things seem peachy, a quick check can unveil spots for improvement. It’s like giving your campaign a tune-up to keep it running smoothly.
The Power of Email Marketing
Email might be old school, dating back to 1971, but guess what? It’s like the fine wine of digital communication, getting better with age. Here’s why it’s still rocking the marketing scene:
Personal Touch: Unlike social media, emails are your personal canvas. You can paint a customized picture for each subscriber, making it feel like you’re talking straight to them.
Budget-Friendly: Money talks, and with email, it’s saying less. Costs are way lower compared to other marketing channels, making it a sweet deal, especially for small businesses.
Conversion King: When it comes to turning leads into customers, email is the heavyweight champ. The conversion rates? Through the roof.
Private Party: Your emails aren’t shouting in a crowded social media space. It’s a VIP access pass to your audience’s inbox. No algorithm drama, just direct connection.
Track & Analyze: Ever wondered how your emails perform? Easy. With tools like Brevo, you can track opens, clicks, and engagement. It’s like having a digital spy for your campaigns.
Boosts Social Game: Team up with social media, and you’ve got a power duo. Studies show that email can amp up social posts by a whopping 70%. It’s like a dynamic duo for your marketing strategy.
Numbers Don’t Lie:
- 4.2 billion global email users in 2022.
- 99% of folks check their emails daily.
- 62% prefer talking to small businesses through email.
- 59% admit marketing emails influence their buying decisions.
What is an Email Subject Line?
The email subject line is like the headline of your inbox message. It’s the brief text that gives a sneak peek into what your email is about and entices the recipient to open and read the full message. A killer subject line grabs attention, sparks curiosity, and sets the stage for what’s inside. It’s the first impression your email makes, so make it count!
How to Nail the Email Subject Line, Every Time
Personalize it Religiously
- Name Drop with Merge Tags: Add a personal twist by using merge tags. Sneak in their name, and suddenly, it’s not just an email; it’s a conversation. “Hey [Name], Your Exclusive Deal Inside!”
- Location, Location, Location: Tailor it to where they are. “Warm Greetings from [City]!” makes it feel like you’re right next door.
- Special Occasions: Birthday coming up? Post-purchase follow-up? Make it personal and timely. “Happy Birthday [Name]! Your Exclusive Gift Awaits.”
- Combine with Targeted Automation: Mix and match. Use personalization alongside targeted automation for a double whammy.
Get Straight to the Point
- Be Direct: Skip the fluff and dive into the goods. “Save Big on Fall Essentials” gets right to it.
- Highlight Benefits: What’s in it for them? “Unlock Exclusive Deals” or “Enjoy 20% Off Your Favorites” paints a clear picture.
- Specific Deals, Not Generic Slogans: Instead of broad strokes like “Fall into savings,” go for specifics. “50% Off Cozy Sweaters” or “Sizzling Summer BBQ Kit – Limited Stock” grabs attention with clarity.
Set Expectations Clear as Ice
In the world of email marketing, time is of the essence, and clarity is king. When crafting subject lines, it’s crucial to front-load the benefits, making it crystal clear what recipients gain from opening your email. This not only respects their time but also establishes a foundation of trust. If your subject lines consistently deliver on their promises when recipients open the email, it builds a sense of reliability.
For instance, if your email revolves around the exciting launch of your new summer product line, don’t beat around the bush – let it shine in the subject line. Avoid the temptation to be overly clever, as simplicity often reigns supreme. A subject line like “Explore Our New Summer Line – Shop Now” succinctly conveys the message, cutting through the noise and setting clear expectations. It’s all about being informative, direct, and maintaining a trustworthy connection with your audience.
Keep it Short and Sweet.
In today’s email game, mobile is the name of the game, with almost half of all emails popping up on those tiny screens. Now, here’s the catch – smaller screens mean less room for your subject line to shine.
Picture this: you’ve got about four or five words before the rest gets cut off in most mobile email clients. That’s your window to make it pop. So, if you can nail a killer subject line in just four or five words – go for it.
Mix up the Length
Have you ever noticed your subject lines getting the snip in web-based email clients like Gmail or Yahoo? Around 55 characters is the cut-off there. Now, shift to mobile inboxes, and the game changes – they often chop it at about 30 characters.
Here’s the trick: check your campaign reports to see where your customers are opening. Once you know the device, tailor your subject lines accordingly. Plan around that sweet spot for impact.
But, hey, no strict rules here. The beauty of crafting subject lines is the room to play. It’s not trial and error; it’s trial, trial, and trial until you hit the jackpot. Mix up those lengths and find what clicks with your audience.
Wrapping Up
In the vast landscape of digital communication, mastering the art of email marketing and crafting compelling campaigns is like having a secret weapon in your business arsenal. From the nitty-gritty of building a subscriber list to designing eye-catching emails, we’ve explored the ins and outs of creating impactful email campaigns.
Remember, your email subject lines are the gatekeepers to your content, the first handshake with your audience. Keep it short and sweet, and tailor it to the device your audience prefers.
So, dive into the world of email marketing with confidence. Experiment, test, and adapt your strategies. Because, in the end, it’s not just about the emails you send; it’s about the relationships you build. Happy emailing, fellow digital trailblazers!
