Email Isn’t Dead. Here’s Why You Should Be Using It to Market Your Business.

The business experts agree, when it comes to marketing, the most effective avenue you can use is email.  An email list gets 10 times higher conversions than social media and receives a 4300 percent return on investment (ROI) for US based businesses according to the Direct Marketing Association. In fact, many business leaders will tell you that email out performs all other marketing channels they’ve tried.   I know, you’ve heard the rumor that email is dead.  Some rumors are just that, a rumor.  Just because social media has become a marketing darling, doesn’t mean it’s the best way to reach your clients or customers.  Did you know:

1. Your email message is five times more likely to be seen than a Facebook post.
2. Email allows you to create segments in your email list so that you can send specifically targeted messages.
3. Starting an email list is easy. If you make joining your list attractive with promo codes, free content and/or examples of the great material that will be in your newsletter you’ll see higher signup numbers. Building your list will be a constant process, but will give you direct access to people who have shown an interest in what you have to offer.
4. You own your email list. Unlike social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, your email list won’t be effected by a change of site policies, etc.
5. Email doesn’t ‘disappear’ in a stream of fast moving messages. Recipients can save the email and come back to it when they have the time.

There are a few things you’ll need to get started.

• A website or a blog
• An email marketing service
• A high converting opt-in form
  • You may also want to consider a coupon code or ‘freebie’ info product

I’ve talked about why you need a website before, so I won’t go into it again.  Good email marketing services not only help you keep track of your list and easily create newsletters, campaigns and opt in forms, most also have some great educational material.  The comparison chart at the end of this post compares some of the more popular services. Choosing a service will depend on several factors depending upon your business. The size of your list, your budget and what features you find most important.

You’ll also want to keep a few things in mind.

1. You can’t just move your entire list of contacts from your email program onto your list. There are rules for creating email lists, the biggest one being that anyone on your list has to opt-in and agree to be on your list. Just because you have someone’s email address doesn’t give you permission to add them to your list.
2. You can’t grab email addresses from the internet just because you think they might be interested in what you have to offer. Sending email without permission is considered SPAM and a big no-no.
3. You can’t add email addresses you’ve purchased. Again, big no-no in the SPAM department.

PERMISSION IS KEY

The key word to remember when wondering whether you can add email addresses to your list is ‘permission’.

• Do you have permission from the owner of that email address to send them your marketing emails?
• Were they aware when they gave you their email address that they were agreeing to receive your newsletter and/or marketing emails?
• Did the owner of the email provide it themselves?

Have you been ignoring email marketing for your business because you thought social media had killed it?  Rumors of email’s death have been greatly exaggerated.  If you want the best ROI for your marketing dollar, maybe it’s time to build that list and start sending email again.

Bonus Freebie: EMail Marketing Service Comparison List

The following is a very simple comparison chart for just six of the email marketing services out there, Mailchimp, AWeber, Mad Mimi, Constant Contact, FlashIssue and sendinblue.

Click the image to view the .pdf version.

If you need help starting, restarting or maintaining your email marketing, I can help. Contact me today!