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Step #1: Plan Purposefully
Whether planning a vacation, a night out, or what order you’re going to run errands this weekend, creating a plan, a list, or a series of tasks is essential to making your event or project a success. The same applies to business. If you want your email marketing campaign to be a success, planning is essential. The following is a list of helpful tips to assist you with the planning stage of your email marketing campaign:
- Tip #1: Find a quite place to do your planning that is free from distractions.
- Tip #2: Plan out an annual calendar, planning one themed email a month.
- Tip #3: With those themed emails, group them together to create a mini-series.
- Tip #4: Create an idea folder for each month that you can add to throughout the year.
- Tip #5: Plan some email content to include all clients and some emails for your VIP list.
Step #2: Create Carefully
As mentioned in previous articles, the first objective of sending emails is getting your recipient to read your email. Creating a carefully thought out, well planned email is vital for the success of your email marketing campaign. Below is a checklist for creating a sure-to-be-read email.
- Create a recognizable “From” line.
- Create an eye catching “Subject” line.
- Add your brand or logo to personalize your email.
- Use colorful graphics, images, and fonts.
- Group your contacts and personalize some emails just for them.
- Follow your monthly schedule from Step #1, but adjust it as necessary.
- Include a specific call to action.
- Keep your email short, specific, and creative.
- Make sure to include an “Opt-In” and “Opt-Out” option.
- Create a “Forward to a friend” option.
Step #3: Proofread Protectively
Riting porley is shure to grab yur reeder’s atenshun. But, more than likely, this type of attention wasn’t what you planned for in Steps #1 and #2. Your email is what will help you generate additional business. It’s an investment, and it needs to be protected from a dangerous business thief: errors.
Some of the most brilliant minds cannot spell or write properly. In the big picture view, it’s a small matter. But, if you want your email recipients to respect you and your business, it’s an important part of email marketing. Have a fresh set of eyes or a professional proofreader help you avoid errors.
The following is a list of things to have your proofreader pay close attention to:
- Typos
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Word choice
- Sentence structure
- Paragraph breaks
- Content clarity
- Content accuracy
- Working links
Step #4: The Importance of Scheduling
Everyone has a schedule, a specific way of getting through the day, week, month, etc. Putting your email marketing on a schedule to be sent at a specific time is important because
- It will ensure that your emails get sent out and that you don’t forget about them during your busy day; and
- It will keep your brand name in front of your clients during a time that works best for them, ensuring that your emails are read and responded to.
Now, in regards to the second reason, there are many variables that may occur within the schedule of your client. Figuring out what time of the day, week, and month is the best time for scheduling your emails to be sent may take a few months of analyzing to get optimum results. Most email marketing services, like Viper Mailer, provide tracking tools that will help you keep track of who has read and responded to your email and who has not.
For example, we recommend that emails not be sent out on Friday afternoons. Your email will either not be read because of the end of the week rush or will be quickly glanced over on Monday morning when your client arrives to work and reads his emails from over the weekend. Keeping in mind certain things like that will assist you in choosing the best time, day of the week, and time of the month to send your emails.
Step #5: The Importance of Following-Up
So far, so good! Someone has read your email, loves your product or service, and wants to know more. They’ve contacted you. Now what? Prompt follow-up is so important. You’ve caught they’re eye, and they’re interested. However, like most people, they more than likely have the attention span of cheese. So reply promptly before they’ve moved on to someone else. Earn their trust as a client by letting them know how important they are and what you can do to assist them as they view your website, choose to purchase your product, or any other information that they may be inquiring about. You’ll be glad that you did.
Start creating a plan of attack for your email marketing business, which will generate as much potential business success as possible. For more information about starting, maintaining, and growing your very own email marketing plan, please visit our article library for a list of additional topics.
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