Email from businesses, to the recipient, can seem like the electronic equivalent of junk mail when it’s not done right. Let’s talk about the importance of having an email list, and to make sure yours will be welcomed into your clients’ inboxes.
What is an email list, and why should you have one? It’s your collection of people who have opted-in by subscribing in order to receive newsletters or blog updates (or whatever it is you send out). Your list is gold – it’s the people who have told you they want to hear from you. Keep your goals in mind as always!
Why emails, when you might have thousands of followers on social media? Because you own your email list. On social media there is zero guarantee that you will keep your social media followers. What happens if Facebook decides to shut down your business account because they have decided it violates their terms of service? I’ve seen it happen to the surprise of many fellow businesses Every social media account is subject to its own rules. It’s super important to get your followers on your email list. You own your list!
Why Email?
So what does emailing your subscribers do for your business? Firstly, it’s very important that they made the choice; simply adding people to your list is a huge no-no. It makes you and your business look bad when people receive spam from you. The people on your list should be there because they want to hear from you. And always always include an “Unsubscribe” button so they can easily do so if they choose. Forcing your way into people’s inbox is spammy and just plain ugly!
Back to what emails do for your biz:
- Strengthen your relationship with customers
- Converts subscribers into customers
- Unlike other marketing methods, you can track how your emails are performing through various analytics, and tweak them for better results
- Almost everyone checks their email every day. You can’t have such a guarantee that they will visit your website as frequently
- You can reach out to your subscribers with personalized information that’s valuable to them
- You can’t beat the return-on-investment. Email marketing’s bang-for-your-buck ration is huge!
- It turns website visitors into customers
- If you don’t have a website, but a physical location, you still want to grow an email list. Offer an incentive to people who come into your store to sign up.
- Further establishes you and your business as the go-to place for your product or services
Always write for your ideal customer and your goals.
Always include a link – or a few – that readers can click on, a “call to action.” What action do you want them to take after enjoying your email?
Email Services To Get You Started
Each has its own features, so look through them to figure out which you think will work best for you:
- Aweber
- Mail Chimp
- Constant Contact
- Campaigner
- GetResponse
- iContact
- VerticalResponse
There are more being added all the time, but these will get you started with the established services.
Most of all, have fun, and remember your big picture!
Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2018 Ellen Clarke
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