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How to Include User-Generated Content in Your Emails

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We all know that email marketing is a powerful tool. It’s been around for decades and has proven to be the most effective way of communicating with your audience.

But lately, it seems like many marketers have forgotten about the importance of keeping their emails fresh and exciting.

The solution to this is simple – include user-generated content in your emails. User-generated content will keep your customers engaged, excited, and eager to continue reading what you have to say next time they get an email from you.

The importance of User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content is a powerful thing. Not only is it entertaining for your audience, but it’s also very useful because your customers are the experts on what they like and don’t like. That means that if you’re sending them email newsletters about a certain topic, they’ll be able to tell you which emails were helpful and which weren’t based on their preferences.

Including user-generated content has another advantage – it greatly reduces marketing costs. When you include information that was generated by real users rather than paid professionals in marketing firms, your company will appear more credible to your readers.

Your brand won’t seem like a “sales” business trying to sell products or services to people at every opportunity. Instead, it will seem like the friend who cares about his/her other friends (customers) and is trying to provide them with the information they need.

How to Gather User-Generated Content for Use in Marketing Emails

The first step to gathering user-generated content is identifying what kind of information you’d like to include in your emails. You’ll need to take a look at the products or services that you offer and figure out which ones are most popular based on customer feedback, sales, and several repeat purchases.

With this in mind, find ways to implement user-generated content that is related to the products or services your company offers.

Let’s say you own a website about pets, and some of the most popular items you sell are dog leashes. You can generate more interest in this type of product by including customer reviews on it in your marketing emails. As users submit more reviews, include them all in fresh emails to keep customers excited about reading what other people have to say about these leashes.

Another example would be user-generated content that comes directly from the content you produce. For instance, let’s say that you used one of the many webinar software tools available to host a webinar. During this event, people were raving about the content you were delivering since they got a ton of value out of it. If that was the case, then why not use this feedback and praise as part of your emails?

When including user-generated content in your emails, make sure that whatever examples you use are interesting and relevant. There’s nothing worse than receiving an email with boring information included that was just filler. It will seem like the sender didn’t put any effort into creating the email, and your company will be viewed as unprofessional.

Don’t include every review that you receive, either – only put the ones that are most entertaining or helpful for your readers. You can also ask users to submit other types of content, such as pictures or videos, using an online form on your website so that you have a good supply of new user-generated content to send out in future emails.

Apart from reviews, you can also include UGC that has to do with the topic of your email newsletters. For example, if you own a local restaurant and send out weekly emails about different types of food, include pictures or videos that customers have submitted of their favorite dishes.

Remember not to overdo it – including a couple of pieces of UGC in every email is enough. If it becomes too much, your readers will begin ignoring them because they’ll think they’re uninteresting.

When Should You Send User-Generated Content?

The best time to send user-generated content is directly after sending out your original newsletter.

After sending out an email, we recommend that you wait at least a few days before including UGC in your next email. Most customers won’t have had time to view the original newsletter yet, but it will still open up the second one because it offers them something new.

Make sure to include some variety when it comes to the type of content included in your second email – for example, if you started with customer reviews about a certain product or service in one email, don’t start with another review right away. Instead, send out a video or picture that was submitted by someone else so that you mix it up.

Use the Power of Social Media When Gathering UGC

If you or your staff members are active on social media, use this to your advantage when trying to gather more UGC. In fact, social media emails are the new trend when it comes to combining the best of both worlds.

Post on Facebook and Twitter about how you’re looking for new user-generated content. These postings should include a deadline so that customers know they need to submit their work before it’s too late.

By posting regularly, you’ll be able to build up a continuous list of users who will supply you with great examples of reviews and other types of content.

One thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t publish any customer information without permission – only post pictures or videos if the person who is in the picture agrees beforehand.

Even though most people will be fine with having their UGC published by a company, there is always that rare chance that someone won’t be happy with the publication of their image or text, so make sure to ask first.

Getting More Content From Your Clients

If you are just starting an online business, it might be difficult to get UGC from clients. The following are some of the best ideas to use for getting more user-generated content from customers when the normal channels do not seem to be as effective as you’d like.

If you have a shop or restaurant, ask your customers before they leave if they’d like to make an account on your website and post a review. Make sure that these are real reviews, though – receiving fakes will result in lower credibility, and visitors might begin steering away from your site.

After sending out your newsletter about upcoming products, hold a contest asking people to submit pictures of themselves using the product in the best way possible. If enough submissions come in, publish the most interesting ones online so that others can vote for their favorite picture. This is excellent UGC because it’s not just coming from one person but rather several people who all have different styles, which means you’re getting a wide range of material.

Pose the question, “What is your most memorable customer service experience?” Ask that they leave a comment underneath the post with answers. Everyone loves talking about good customer service – this will attract plenty of submissions.

Tie in a giveaway aspect. Encourage users to submit user-generated content, like a photo or review, that then enters them into a raffle. This will help you gather more submissions and enable you to keep your emails interesting. Just make sure you don’t promise a prize to anyone with the best review, as that can be seen as bribery (big no-no).

Use social media outlets such as Twitter or Facebook to announce when new contests are beginning and encourage customers to participate. This is great because even if someone doesn’t subscribe to your email list, they can still see what you’re up to on their preferred social media outlet and take part in it.

The final step is getting all of this wonderful user-generated content into your next newsletter. Include pictures, reviews, quotes from commenters, etc. Anything you think your customers would enjoy seeing is fair game—the more different types of emails that have varying content submitted, the better.

You have so many options at your disposal now that UGC is in your hands – just make sure that you pick the most interesting submissions to display in your newsletter and don’t include more than one or two per email. Too much UGC can be overwhelming for people.

Conclusion

Remember that not every one of your newsletters will have user-generated content included – mixing it up is important so that subscribers don’t get bored of seeing the same material over and over again.

Also, be careful of where you source your UGC from. Make sure that you don’t include any material which breaks copyright law, and make sure those entering the contest through email or social media feel comfortable with the terms.

By including user-generated content in your newsletters, you’ll reach new audiences who will be interested in what you have to say. You’ll also receive a second wave of interest when these people see the contests you’re holding and join them.

Author Bio

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With over 500,000 monthly readers, Adam Enfroy’s mission is to teach the next generation of online entrepreneurs how to scale their influence at startup speed.

You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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EMAIL MARKETING

Unveiling the Future of Email Marketing: 4 Trends to Revolutionize Engagement

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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.

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Top Email Marketing Strategies To Use For Q4

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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.

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Mastering Email A/B Testing for Mobile Apps: The Ultimate Guide

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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!

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