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Thursday, December 2, 2010

9 E-Mail Marketing Tips That Most Internet Marketers Forget

Introduction

Thanks to the Internet, marketing methods have also adapted and changed in the last two decades. Banner ads, flash videos, and other methods are popping up like wildfire on websites all over the place. But the one tried and true method that seems to work better and surpass all others is email marketing.

This form of marketing reaches the customer directly, and can be custom created to fit the shopper's needs based on past history, personal preference, and much more. While email marketing is an excellent way to garner new customers and maintain old ones, there are some very important things every business needs to know. Here are thirty great tips to getting more people to open up that email every time you send it.

Following are a few email marketing tips to get you started..

eMail Marketing Tip #1: Announce Big Sales

Always let your email subscribers know when a big sale is coming up. Do not wait until the last minute, however. Give your email list members a fair heads-up, and then send another reminder or two before the big sale day. If the sale stretches across several days, be sure to let them know this as well. If a coupon code has to be used, make absolutely sure it is included in the email.

eMail Marketing Tip #2: Use Strong Subject Lines

The subject is what brings people to determine whether or not they hit the delete button automatically or whether they actually click on, open, and read the email. Without an interesting or intriguing subject line, customers might not even bother. Come up with something clever that will grab their attention and make them want to open the email. Use creative one-liners or fun catch phrases. You can also cut right to the chase and say something like: 50% Off All Products For The Next 72 Hours! Another powerful way is to ask a question like: Did you download your free report yet? The point is, if it makes the reader open the email, then the subject line has done its job.

eMail Marketing Tip #3: Make the Call to Action Clear

In other words, always let your customers know what you expect of them, and what they can expect of you. Whether it is a sale with free shipping if they purchase $25 or more worth of products, or a free promotional offer or item if they attend a local event, you need to make the message clear. Any "fine print" should always be out in the open so the reader knows any catches, details, or other provisions they have to meet well in advance.

eMail Marketing Tip #4: Use Social Networking to Your Advantage

Facebook is all the rage right now, so be sure to include a reminder to have your email readers click "like" for your company on Facebook. You can easily include this link inside of the email, so all they have to do is click the icon or link, and it takes them right to Facebook with the option to click on the like button. Facebook is currently showing a valuable asset and additional help to businesses all over the world.

eMail Marketing Tip #5: Include Fun, Informative Content in Your Emails

You do not have to make every single email a sales pitch. Instead, include some interesting information about your product, how it can be used, or another topic closely related to your business. If your email subscribers tend to get nothing but sales letters, they may begin deleting them. However, if those emails make for an interesting read, they might just press onward and even go to the website and make purchases or ask questions.

eMail Marketing Tip #6: Take Advantage of the Holidays

The holidays, especially major ones, are a good time to market your product or service. Use this to your advantage in emails by creating special, holiday and email only discounts. You can get creative by offering special holiday related items, or just have sales during select times of the year.

eMail Marketing Tip #7: Avoid Spamming

If a customer makes a purchase on your website but does not opt in to being on your email list, do not send them emails or add them to the list unsolicited. This is a sure fire way to turn someone off, and have them spread the word about your spam emails. Instead, offer for people to join the list on their own when they are on the home page, inside of the shopping cart, or at check out. You never want to make customers feel as if the emails they are receiving are forced.

eMail Marketing Tip #8: Create Target Lists for Different Demographics

New mothers might only want to receive emails about goods for babies, while a man will certainly not want to hear about the latest heels and handbags you have to offer. Instead, create several different email lists for various demographics, so you can easily reach the people who want to read only what they get in their in box. Try to hone in on your current customer base by offering surveys to get a better idea of the age and sex demographics you are receiving the most business from. This can make a huge difference when it comes to garnering sales.

eMail Marketing Tip #9: Keep the Quantity to a Minimum

Most people that join email lists like to get an email every now and then, but every day or even once a week can be too much, unless the content is purely informative and designed to be sent that way. Otherwise, marketing type emails should be sent as sparingly as possible. Often, people only respond to these types of emails when a good discount or offer is included. Otherwise they might be prone to either just deleting them on sight or opting to unsubscribe. If you overdo the number of emails you send, it's almost a guarantee you will see your email database dwindle in no time.

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