Plan for Successful Email Marketing

Practical Steps for Maximizing Email-Campaign Performance
• Step #1 - Stand Out in a Good Way: Your subject should convey exclusivity and/or value-adds in order to stand out. Most online retailers use “FREE SHIPPING” or “20% Off”… do something difference.
• Step #2 – Say Thank You: People appreciate a sincere “Thank You”.
• Step #3 – Build Your List: Use any “touch Point” with your prospects and customers as an opportunity to build your list. A “Join Subscribe” button provides the opportunity to build your list.
• Step #4 – Find a Target: Send separate email messages to prospects and customers… or taget the most important prospects with specialized messaging and offers.

Strategies for Holiday Email Success
• Strategy #1 – Test for Success: Testing variations in subject line, design, time sent, and other elements that can have a major impact on your email campaign’s success.
• Strategy #2 – Eliminate “Ghost Subscribers”: Over time, people on your list stop ready entirely, but don’t take action to unsubscribe. Delete them from your list and continually add new prospects.
• Strategy #3 – Re-Target Your Messages: Target the people who ARE opening your messages with special offers, or target the people who are NOT opening your messages with relevant communications for that group.
• Strategy #4 – Plan for January: This is the time to plan your long term strategy for 2010.
• Strategy #5 – Harness Social Media: Get people talking about you… especially online. Social forwarding/sharing is the most powerful internet-marketing force. Utilize the FREE Marketing Opportunities with FACEBOOK, LINKEDIN, and Twitter to name a few.

The 3 Worst Holiday Email Mistakes… and How You can Avoid Them!
Be Sure to Avoid:
• Sending too Many Emails: Spam is defined as ANY unwanted message. Be sure your recipients will value each of your messages
• Relying on Discounts Alone: Discounts alone are not enough. Communicate key Values, Elements, and Features. What is unique about your product or service?
• Sending Without Tracking: Many businesses don’t realize that when they send e-mails “in-house”(without an email marketing service) it’s impossible to know if the emails reach the recipient or lands in their “Junk Mail” or Spam List,” and be undelivered without your knowledge.