The advances in technology over the last twenty years have drastically changed the marketing mix. These days almost everyone has an email account and many companies have successfully channeled this as yet another opportunity for reaching their customers. When thoughtfully integrated into your marketing plan, email is a valuable tool.
A successful email campaign starts with a list of emails. This seems like a silly thing to point out, but your list is crucial. Figure out how to get an email address at every point of customer contact. Whenever you ask for other information, ask for email. Create a prompt in your telemarketing. Insert a question about email in your direct mail, business reply cards at checkout, and everywhere else you can think of. Make sure you prominently place opt-ins on every page of your web site. As more customers voluntarily share their email addresses with you, your list grows more and more valuable.
Email affords the opportunity to dialog with your customers, whereas traditional marketing is a one way communication. Sticking with the tried and true means that you miss an important chance to start that conversation and solicit feedback. Try sending quizzes and surveys to find out the impressions and motivations of your customers. Track who follows links to other promotions. This can provide crucial information to inform your more traditional marketing methods.
These days many customers purchase items from their local retail store after researching it on line. With some creativity you can use this dynamic to track the success of your marketing efforts in other media. Distribute discount codes and printable coupons through email and track the rate at which they are redeemed and where. This is a valuable method of determining the success of different approaches. It can also tell you which market segments responded to which approach. This kind of knowledge lets you allocate your marketing efforts in areas with the most potential.
One of the big advantages of email is that it allows an incredible amount of customization. Use this potential to call attention to specific offers based on a consumer's profile and preferences. Direct people to specific offers in your print catalog or web site. Customization allows you to more sharply focus various pieces of your campaign to different segments of your list. You can also use email to increase brand loyalty by targeting customers throughout the purchase cycle.
If you are going to use email for marketing, it is crucial that you fully incorporate it into your overall marketing campaign. It should have the same look and feel as your other marketing efforts and should play a specific role. If email is handled by another department or just added on, then you run the risk of looking sloppy and confusing your customers. Determine the timing of email messages related to the larger campaign. Should it hit simultaneously with your print and television ads? Perhaps you can use it as a sneak peek for more loyal customers. Maybe it can be a wrap up to a successful campaign. If planned well, the email component of your marketing efforts can become a crucial piece.
Email can become a valuable piece of your marketing tool kit and really add to your campaigns. You can use this medium to bring parts of your campaign into sharper focus for specific market segments. The customization capabilities allow better targeting. However, make sure it is thoroughly integrated into your efforts and not just added on. Take advantage of the fact that you have a list of people who want to hear from you.
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