EMAIL MARKETING
6 Benefits of Email Marketing for Small Businesses
- Email marketing is an easy, cost-effective way to reach your small business’s target audience.
- Email marketing offers a high return on investment and is straightforward way to automate your marketing efforts.
- To get started with email marketing, choose an email marketing service provider that suits your business. Next, create a compelling reason for target consumers to join your mailing list and send regular communications to your lists, tracking your analytics.
- This article is for small business owners considering implementing an email marketing strategy.
The first email was sent in 1971, and it permanently changed how we communicate with one another. Today, businesses use email to connect with their audience, build credibility in their industry, and increase sales.
If you’re new to email marketing, it’s easy to get started and start seeing results immediately.
What is email marketing?
Email marketing is a marketing strategy that involves sending emails to your target audience. It’s one of the best ways to turn prospects into buyers and one-off customers into engaged and loyal customers.
Your email marketing strategy can encompass sending weekly newsletters, promotional emails, and special deals for customers. It allows you to create a relationship with your audience and steadily build loyalty to your brand.
Key takeaway: Email marketing offers a direct method of communicating with your target audience.
What are the business benefits of email marketing?
For small businesses that don’t have sizable marketing budgets, email marketing can drive impressive results. Below are six of the biggest benefits small businesses can gain through email marketing:
1. High ROI
According to a study from eMarketer, email marketing has a median ROI of 122% – that’s four times higher than any other digital marketing strategy. And if you implement techniques like A/B testing, using a double opt-in, and sticking to a regular schedule, you can increase this number.
To track the ROI of your email campaigns, use the following formula:
Net profit (Gross profits from email marketing – Email marketing costs) / Email marketing costs
For example, if you earned $2,000 in sales from one email marketing campaign after spending $150:
$1,850 ($2,000 – $150.00) / $150 = 12.33
You have an ROI of $12.33. That means for every dollar you spent on the campaign, you earned $12.33 back.
2. Appeal to different segments of your target audience
Email marketing allows you to create targeted campaigns by leveraging data about your email subscribers.
If you’re new to email marketing, creating personalized content can feel daunting and overwhelming at first. However, personalizing your content can be using a subscriber’s first name in your email. Research shows that adding a subscriber’s first name to the subject line can increase email opens by as much as 26%.
As your email list grows and you get more comfortable with email marketing, you can segment your audience based on their age, income level, gender, or how long they’ve been customers.
3. Time and money savings
Most business owners are short on time and money – email marketing is easy to automate, and it’s cost-effective.
When you set up a new email campaign, once you set up your list, determine your offer, and design your email, it automatically sends it to your target list. You can engage with your audience and create new customers even while you’re working on other aspects of running your business.
Of course, you have to track your campaigns and tweak things from time to time, but email marketing is one of the most hands-off marketing strategies there is.
It’s also relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to other methods, like paid advertising. You can develop a professional email campaign that goes to thousands of subscribers for very little money spent.
4. Stronger relationships with customers
Marketing involves demonstrating value to consumers and showing your audience how they can take the next step with your business. Once someone joins your email list, you have an opportunity to send them useful, relevant content.
Every email you send to your customers shouldn’t involve selling them your products or service. You should provide value in your emails. When you can demonstrate to your customers the value you provide to them, they’ll look forward to hearing from you every week.
That value doesn’t always have to be a sale or offer – it can be information that you think they’ll find helpful. For example, you can create an email that links to a recent blog post you wrote.
In your emails, list your social media accounts, and encourage subscribers to connect with you on those channels. Doing this helps build your credibility with your audience and if they are intrigued by a particular email you’ve sent, they can easily learn more about your products or service by clicking on your social media links.
5. Increased sales
Last year and this year have been challenging for small businesses to grow their sales. But email marketing is one of the best ways to grow your sales, especially if traffic to your brick-and-mortar store is down significantly.
Some customers will make a buying decision if they receive a well-timed offer. Adding urgency to your offers, and offering generous sales or free shipping are excellent ways to convert a subscriber to a customer.
Furthermore, email marketing can be a great way to upsell current customers. You can also re-engage customers who haven’t purchased in a while.
By creating personalized and targeted offers for consumers on your list, you can motivate your audience to purchase from your business.
6. A strong following of subscribers
One of the downsides of social media marketing is that you don’t own your followers. If your Facebook Business page is unexpectedly shut down (which isn’t uncommon), you’ll lose access to the following you’ve spent months or even years building.
That’s why it’s important to build an email list. You have a valuable list of customers and a way to contact those customers. Even if you switch email providers, you own the list of your contacts.
Key takeaway: Email marketing is cost-effective, easy to use and boasts a high ROI, making it a great choice for small businesses looking to stretch their marketing dollars.
How to get started with email marketing
Many business owners know they should be building a list of email contacts but aren’t sure where or how to get started. These four steps will walk you through the process.
1. Choose your email provider.
The first step is to choose an email marketing service provider. When you’re evaluating service providers, consider the following:
- The provider’s deliverability rate
- Whether the provider offers templates and allows you to customize your emails
- Whether the software is intuitive and user-friendly
- Advanced features the service offers, like A/B testing, analytics and segmentation tools
- The level of customer support the company provides
Once you’ve settled on a service provider, sign up for a free trial (which most providers do). That way, you can test the software to ensure it’s the best fit for your needs.
2. Create a free but compelling opt-in.
You need to give your audience a very good reason why they should join your email list. The best way to incentivize them is by creating a free opt-in.
The type of opt-in you create depends on your customers and their needs. For instance, if you target a B2B audience, you might create an in-depth white paper around a topic they’re interested in.
Once you’ve created your opt-in, you can set up a form on your website. Your audience will sign up with their email address and, from there, they can download your opt-in. You can also promote your opt-in on all of your social media channels to drive more email list sign-ups.
3. Send a weekly newsletter.
Your subscribers want to know what they can expect from you, and the best way to do that is by sending a weekly newsletter.
Your newsletter is another way to share helpful and relevant content with your audience – again, it’s a way you can provide value to subscribers.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating your newsletter:
- Use a template to design your newsletter.
- Keep it brief. Your audience may lose interest if your emails are too wordy.
- Personalize the subject line so subscribers are more inclined to open your emails.
- Add a compelling call to action at the end.
- Optimize your newsletter so it looks good on mobile devices.
4. Track your analytics.
Finally, one of the most important aspects of email marketing is tracking your results. Tracking your analytics helps you figure out what resonates with your audience.
One of the first analytics you want to look at is your open rate. Typically, a good email open rate ranges from 15 to 25%.
If you have an open rate under 15%, it could indicate that your subject lines need revising. However, as your email list grows, your open rate will most likely fall.
The next analytic is your click-through rate.
There is a learning curve when you’re getting started with email marketing, but by following the tips in the article and adjusting your strategies as your list grows and you become more comfortable with email marketing (and email marketing software), you’ll find that the benefits are well worth it.
Key takeaway: Partner with a trusted service provider to send your email marketing campaigns, create a compelling opt-in, frequently update your audience with engaging content, and track your analytics to refine your future campaigns.
EMAIL MARKETING
Unveiling the Future of Email Marketing: 4 Trends to Revolutionize Engagement
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, the efficacy of email marketing hinges not only on the delivery of messages but also on their ability to resonate with audiences and drive meaningful interactions. Gone are the days of generic blasts; instead, companies are increasingly turning to innovative strategies to captivate their subscribers. Here, we delve into four emerging trends poised to redefine the realm of email marketing, promising to elevate engagement and drive conversions.
1. User-Generated Content (UGC) Takes Center Stage
User-generated content (UGC) emerges as a potent tool in the arsenal of email marketers, facilitating authentic connections with audiences while amplifying brand visibility. From customer reviews to social media posts, UGC offers a dynamic and relatable portrayal of products and services, resonating with consumers in the era of “new sincerity.”
By harnessing UGC within newsletters, brands gain invaluable insights into consumer preferences and behaviors, fostering trust and credibility. Strategies such as incentivized contests or social media challenges empower users to contribute content willingly, fueling a steady stream of authentic engagement.
2. Augmented and Virtual Realities (AR/VR) Transform Experiences
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies emerge as game-changers in the realm of email marketing, offering immersive experiences that captivate and compel audiences. While VR may require substantial investments and specialized equipment, AR presents a more accessible avenue for brands to showcase products and drive engagement.
From interactive product demonstrations to virtual try-on experiences, AR/VR initiatives promise to revolutionize email campaigns, offering users a glimpse into a digitally enhanced world. While technical constraints may limit current implementations, ongoing advancements herald a future where AR/VR seamlessly integrate into email communication, enriching brand experiences.
3. Omnichannel Integration Enhances Connectivity
The advent of omnichannel marketing heralds a new era of seamless connectivity, enabling brands to orchestrate cohesive experiences across diverse touchpoints. By unifying customer interactions across websites, offline stores, and email communications, businesses cultivate deeper insights and deliver personalized content tailored to individual preferences.
Omnichannel integration not only streamlines the customer journey but also fosters brand loyalty by offering consistent and personalized experiences. Whether browsing online, engaging in-store, or interacting via email, customers encounter a unified brand identity, enhancing engagement and driving conversions.
4. Hyper-Segmentation and Personalization Drive Relevance
In an age defined by personalized experiences, hyper-segmentation emerges as a cornerstone of effective email marketing strategies. By dissecting audiences into granular segments based on demographics, behaviors, and preferences, brands can deliver tailored content that resonates on a profound level.
Utilizing advanced email marketing platforms, businesses can leverage hyper-segmentation to craft personalized campaigns that speak directly to individual interests and needs. From dynamic product recommendations to targeted promotions, personalized emails foster a sense of relevance and exclusivity, driving engagement and fostering long-term customer relationships.
In conclusion, the future of email marketing lies in innovation and adaptation, with brands leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategic approaches to engage audiences effectively. By embracing trends such as user-generated content, augmented reality, omnichannel integration, and hyper-segmentation, businesses can unlock new realms of engagement, driving meaningful interactions and fostering brand loyalty in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
EMAIL MARKETING
Top Email Marketing Strategies To Use For Q4
As we approach the Q4 period, it’s never too early to start preparing for your Black Friday and Cyber Monday email marketing strategy. Once Black Friday week hits, our inboxes are filled with a hurricane of brands fighting for attention, each with the ‘biggest’ and the ‘best’ offers you won’t get anywhere else.
To set your brand apart from the competition, it’s crucial to plan ahead. Over 60% of brands send out multiple emails over the course of the Black Friday/ Cyber Monday weekend, and it’s a perfect time to up your brand awareness ahead of the Christmas shopping season.
If you’re not sure where to start with Q4 planning or need some last-minute tips to enhance your strategy, we’ve outlined some top email marketing strategies to incorporate into your plans!
1. Send Pre-Black Friday Emails
Sending pre-Black Friday emails is great for keeping your brand at the forefront of people’s minds ahead of the big day. Not only will a pre-Black Friday email let your audience know about your upcoming event, but it will also ensure that your audience is regularly checking in on your brand throughout the Q4 period.
Additionally, sending pre-Black Friday emails is beneficial for A/B testing. Sending out different formats of emails with minor tweaks, such as the CTAs or subject lines, can help you determine what your audience is more likely to engage with so you can then tailor your Black Friday strategy accordingly.
2. Run a Lead Gen
It might seem like a given, but ahead of Black Friday, it’s beneficial to give your email list a much-needed boost. A simple but effective way to do this is to run a lead-generation advertising campaign. For example, offering your audience the chance to win a prize in return for submitting details, such as their email address, is a quick and easy way to increase your list size. Similarly, refreshing your pop-up on-site with an irresistible offer will also contribute to gaining new profiles.
3. Offer Something Unexpected
Email marketers only have 3 seconds to capture the attention of their readers, which isn’t surprising due to the amount of emails the average person will receive daily. If an email isn’t driving you to click on it, it swiftly gets forgotten about and lost within their inbox. Over Black Friday, to avoid this happening, make sure you’re offering something unexpected, whether that’s a mystery discount or a gift with each purchase!
One of the worst things you can do over Black Friday is to overcomplicate your promotions. If you’re offering multiple promotions and codes, things can get a bit too hectic. To make it as simple as possible, consider running a standard “up to” percentage amount. If you want to include a code, it helps to have this auto-applied at checkout to avoid customers dropping off if they input it incorrectly. In the design of your email, make sure the promotion is clearly highlighted within the design so it can’t be missed, and also referenced in the body copy and subject lines too!
5. Create An Effective Design
Creating an effective design is one thing, but how do you know what works? To improve your email campaigns, consider running an A/B test to pinpoint which elements of your design are improving the CTR and which are hindering it.
Highlighting metrics such as colour, font size, and CTAs can instantly impact whether people will click through or discard! If a consumer clicks on your email, you’ll have, on average, 11 seconds to keep their attention, so making sure your design stands out for the wave of other Black Friday content is key! Keep the design of your email reflective of your branding but with stand-out elements specifically for the shopping season.
6. Make Use Of CTAs
CTAs (call-to-action) are one of the most underrated parts of any email campaign, especially over the Black Friday period. They’re one of the driving forces behind making your email recipients turn into passive readers to customers. One key way to make your CTAs stand out is to make use of bright and bold colours that will attract and hold attention. Additionally, it’s important to think about the placement of your CTAs to increase your click-through rate, make sure the copy used is clear and concise (between two and five words) and use actionable language.
7. Focus On Subject Lines
Subject lines are make or break for every email campaign. Over Black Friday, consumers’ inboxes are cluttered with emails, so it’s important to stand out. It’s estimated that on Black Friday, 116.5 million emails from brands were sent out (more than any other day), and Black Friday sees the highest number of emails opened and clicked. To prevent your emails from being lost in the void, having a cracking subject line to stand out from competitors is everything.
The secret to a great subject line is to keep it short and snappy. On average, subject lines with 50 characters or less tend to get an average of 12% higher open rates and 75% higher click-through rates. Including emojis within subject lines has been seen to increase click-through-rates by as much as 28%!
Additionally, it helps to use language that will really pique your audience’s interest, stay away from any overused cliches and keep them as attention-grabbing as possible.
8. Prep for Cyber Monday
To plan an effective Black Friday, it’s crucial to prepare for Cyber events too. With Cyber following straight after, it’s easy to forget about it or not prioritise it as much as Black Friday, however, it’s still an extremely profitable day! To make the most of it, create dedicated campaigns and tailor your online sales messaging so that it focuses on driving urgency.
9. Incorporate SMS into Your Strategy
Sometimes the importance of SMS can be overlooked because a lot of brands assume that text messages won’t fit in with their brand. However, it’s a no-brainer for reaching even more customers. On average, 82% of people engage with marketing content on their smartphones, so it’s something to definitely explore, especially over the busy shopping period.
To gain SMS sign-ups, you can effectively tie your SMS campaign in with your lead generation and ask for customers to fill out their phone number as well as their email address. That way, they’ll be opted into your send list. It can also be used to send reminders when sales have launched or when offers are coming to a close.
Despite having only 160 characters to work with, SMS campaigns are longer than recommended email subject lines, so it can be just as, if not more effective than email marketing campaigns.
EMAIL MARKETING
Mastering Email A/B Testing for Mobile Apps: The Ultimate Guide
Welcome to the world of email A/B testing for mobile apps!
Here at Favoured, we’re all about delivering the best results for our clients, and that includes mastering the art of email marketing. In this guide, we’ll take you through the essentials of A/B testing your email campaigns to achieve maximum success for your mobile app.
What Is Email A/B Testing?
Email A/B testing, also known as split testing, is a method used to compare two or more variations of an email campaign to determine which one performs better. The goal is to identify the version that resonates most with your target audience, ultimately leading to higher open rates, click-through rates, and overall engagement.
In the context of mobile apps, email A/B testing can be particularly valuable, as it helps you fine-tune your marketing messages to drive user acquisition, engagement, and retention.
Benefits Of Email A/B Testing
There are numerous advantages to incorporating A/B testing into your email marketing strategy for mobile apps. Some of the key benefits include:
- Improved open rates: By testing different subject lines, you can identify which ones capture your audience’s attention and entice them to open your emails.
- Increased click-through rates: Experimenting with various email elements, such as CTAs and layout, can help you determine the most effective ways to encourage recipients to take action.
- Enhanced engagement: A/B testing allows you to create more relevant and engaging content for your target audience, resulting in higher conversion rates and stronger user relationships.
- Data-driven decision making: With A/B testing, you can make informed decisions based on actual user behaviour, rather than relying on assumptions or gut feelings.
Key Metrics To Track
When conducting email A/B tests, it’s essential to track specific metrics to gauge the success of your campaigns. Some of the most critical metrics to monitor include:
- Open rate: The percentage of recipients who open your email. This metric can help you evaluate the effectiveness of your subject lines.
- Click-through rate (CTR): The percentage of recipients who click on a link within your email. A high CTR can indicate that your email content is engaging and relevant.
- Conversion rate: The percentage of recipients who take the desired action after clicking a link in your email, such as downloading your app, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter.
- Unsubscribe rate: The percentage of recipients who opt out of receiving future emails from you. A high unsubscribe rate may suggest that your email content is not resonating with your audience.
Understanding the basics of email A/B testing is the first step towards optimising your mobile app marketing campaigns. By grasping the concept, benefits, and key metrics of A/B testing, you’ll be well-equipped to make data-driven decisions that drive real results for your mobile app.
Setting Up Your Test
Defining Your Goal
Before you start setting up your A/B test, it’s crucial to determine the primary objective of your test. Having a clear goal will help you focus your efforts and make data-driven decisions based on the results. Your goal should align with your overall mobile app marketing strategy and be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Examples of goals for email A/B tests include:
- Increasing the open rate by 10% within 30 days
- Boosting the click-through rate by 15% within 60 days
- Reducing the unsubscribe rate by 5% within 45 days
Selecting Variables To Test
Once you’ve set your goal, it’s time to choose the variables to test in your email campaign. The variables you select should have a direct impact on your goal and be something you can measure. Here are some common email elements to consider testing:
- Subject lines: Test different wording, phrasing, or personalisation techniques to capture your audience’s attention.
- Email content: Experiment with different content styles, lengths, or structures to see what resonates with your recipients.
- Call-to-action (CTA): Try various CTA placements, wording, or button designs to encourage users to take the desired action.
- Images and visuals: Test different images, colours, or visual layouts to determine which one drives higher engagement.
- Personalisation: Compare personalised content, such as using the recipient’s name, to generic content to assess its impact on your metrics.
Creating Variations
Now that you’ve chosen your variables, it’s time to create the variations for your email campaigns. Keep the following tips in mind when crafting your variations:
- Limit the number of variations: While it may be tempting to test multiple variations, it’s best to limit yourself to two or three, so you don’t dilute your results or prolong the testing process.
- Make distinct changes: Ensure the variations are different enough to provide meaningful insights. For instance, if testing subject lines, one could be a question, while the other could be a statement.
- Keep other elements consistent: To ensure accurate results, only change the variable you’re testing and keep all other elements the same across variations.
- Consider your audience: When creating variations, take into account your target audience’s preferences and behaviours to craft relevant and engaging content.
Setting up an A/B test for your mobile app’s email campaigns is an essential step towards optimising your marketing efforts. By defining your goal, selecting the right variables to test, and creating effective variations, you’ll be well on your way to enhancing your app’s performance and building stronger relationships with your users.
Implementing & Analysing Your Test
Test Duration & Sample Size
Determining the optimal test duration and sample size is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable results. Here are some factors to consider when deciding on these parameters:
- Test duration: The length of your test should be long enough to gather sufficient data, but not so long that it delays your marketing efforts. Generally, a test duration of 7 to 14 days is recommended for most email A/B tests.
- Sample size: Your sample size should be large enough to provide statistically significant results. Use an A/B test sample size calculator to determine the appropriate size based on your desired confidence level and the expected difference between variations.
Keep in mind that these recommendations may vary depending on your specific circumstances, such as the size of your email list or the frequency of your email campaigns.
Launching Your Test
Once you’ve determined the test duration and sample size, it’s time to launch your A/B test. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth test launch:
- Segment your email list: Divide your email list into random, equal-sized groups to ensure a fair comparison between variations.
- Send your variations: Schedule your email campaign to send the different variations to the corresponding segments of your email list.
- Monitor the progress: Keep an eye on the key metrics, such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates, throughout the test duration to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Analysing Results & Drawing Conclusions
After your test has concluded, it’s essential to analyse the data, draw conclusions, and apply your findings to future email campaigns. Here’s how to go about it:
- Review the data: Examine the key metrics for each variation and compare them to determine which one performed better.
- Check for statistical significance: Use an A/B test calculator to ensure the differences between the variations are statistically significant, indicating that the results are not due to random chance.
- Draw conclusions: Based on the data, determine what you’ve learned from the test and how it can inform your future email marketing efforts. For instance, if a specific subject line format led to higher open rates, consider using a similar approach in future campaigns.
- Apply your findings: Incorporate your learnings into your email marketing strategy to continually optimise your campaigns and drive better results for your mobile app.
Implementing and analysing your email A/B tests is a critical step towards optimising your mobile app marketing campaigns. By determining the appropriate test duration and sample size, launching your test, and analysing the results, you’ll be able to make data-driven decisions that enhance your app’s performance and foster stronger relationships with your users.
Best Practices
Consistent Testing
To achieve long-term success in email marketing for mobile apps, it’s crucial to make A/B testing a consistent part of your strategy. Regular testing allows you to:
- Continuously optimise your campaigns: Stay ahead of the curve by continually refining your email campaigns based on data-driven insights.
- Adapt to changing trends: Keep your email marketing efforts relevant and up-to-date by adapting to evolving user preferences, industry trends, and market dynamics.
- Validate new ideas: Use A/B testing to validate new marketing concepts or tactics before fully implementing them in your campaigns.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
As with any marketing endeavour, there are potential pitfalls to watch out for when conducting email A/B tests. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Testing too many variables at once: Focus on testing one variable at a time to ensure accurate results and avoid confusion when analysing the data.
- Ignoring statistical significance: Make sure your test results are statistically significant to avoid drawing conclusions based on random chance or insufficient data.
- Focusing solely on short-term gains: While it’s essential to optimise for immediate results, also consider the long-term impact of your email marketing strategy on user retention and lifetime value.
Utilising Automation & Growth Hacking Strategies
Leveraging automation and growth hacking techniques can help streamline your email A/B testing efforts and drive even better results for your mobile app. Consider the following strategies:
- Email automation: Use email marketing automation tools to schedule and send your A/B tests, track key metrics, and segment your email list efficiently.
- Dynamic content: Implement dynamic content in your email campaigns to personalise messages based on user behaviour, preferences, or demographics, and A/B test the effectiveness of various personalisation techniques.
- Multivariate testing: Once you’re comfortable with A/B testing, consider using multivariate testing to assess the impact of multiple variables simultaneously and identify the best combination of elements for your campaigns.
Mastering email A/B testing for your mobile app is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort, learning, and adaptation. By following best practices, avoiding common pitfalls, and utilising automation and growth hacking strategies, you’ll be well on your way to achieving long-term success in your email marketing campaigns.
As a data-driven full-funnel marketing agency, Favoured believes in the power of optimising every aspect of the customer journey, and that includes email marketing.
We’re dedicated to helping businesses drive real results, and A/B testing plays a crucial role in this process. Reach out if you want to supercharge your email campaigns with us. Happy testing!
