Email Marketing Basics

Promoting a business using email marketing campaigns has become tougher because of their popularity and cost-effectiveness.

Email marketing is the quickest way of reaching a very large audience and can be inexpensive if planned correctly. The key is to target people who are ready to receive your mailings. To do this use a permission-based contact list, which contains only the customers / readers who have signed up on your website for such mailings, or who provide their email addresses when purchasing products / services from your company.

Careful planning is also essential. For instance, choosing the right day to send your email will give you more chance to increase sales' revenue. If you would like recommendations on how to build a strong strategy click here.

Email marketing rules for successful e-campaigns:

• Research & Planning:
  
  - Devise an email marketing plan, defining objectives
  - Create an editorial calendar
  - Do not email more than twice a week to avoide causing annoyance
  
  
• Value your opt-in mailing list:
  
  - Make sure that email readers are given an opt-in option
  - Give your readers the opportunity to opt-out
  - Think carefully before sharing your database with a third party
  - Reassure your readers that their details are not shared (if this is not the case)
  
  
• Take time in composing your email message:
  
  - Keep information concise and focused on your customers' needs
  - Provide a choice of HTML or text version
  - Create landing pages where readers should be able to get more information including pricing or purchasing, within only one click of the initial marketing email or newsletter.