5 Email Marketing Tips For 2013

5 Email Marketing Tips For 2013

Does email marketing still work in 2013?

The answer is definitely “yes”, but at the same time things have changed in the last few years. If you use the same strategies that you used 5 years ago, you will have a hard time keeping up with the competition.

Like everything else related to online marketing, you must stay current with the latest trends and techniques. In this article, we’re going to be revealing 5 email marketing tips that work right now.

• Avoid Spamming or Even the Appearance of it

  Spam laws are stricter than ever, and people today are more likely to report spam because there’s so much of it. That’s why you must avoid even the suspicion of spamming.

  Only email people who have given you their permission. A double opt-in process is safest, as this way recipients must reply to an email confirming that they are willing to receive your emails. Email services and autoresponders give you the option to set up a double opt-in system for your list.

  You should make sure that all of your emails tell readers how they can remove themselves from your list. Have a visible link so that anyone who forgot they signed up for your list, or who has changed their mind about receiving your emails can easily unsubscribe.

• Remember Your Mobile Users

  One of the biggest trends of recent years is the switch many people are making from computers to mobile devices for internet access. Most people still use computers, but they now increasingly rely on their phones and tablets to access the web when they’re on the run. You must keep this in mind with your email marketing efforts.

  There are a few things you should do to make your emails mobile friendly.

  1. Keep subject lines short

     On mobile devices, long subject lines can get cut off.

  2. Consider things like design, layout and font size

     You want to make sure that mobile users can see your emails as well as computer users.

  3. Make links and buttons easier to click on

     Make sure buttons and links in your emails are large enough for people to press with their fingers. Remember that mobile users aren’t using a mouse.

  4. Avoid Flash

     Keeping your emails in HTML format will ensure that mobile users can access all of the content.

• Make It Easy for Subscribers to Share Your Content

  Social media is another area that you must keep in mind with your email marketing campaigns. You should encourage your subscribers to share your content on their social media pages, as well as like your Facebook page and follow you on Twitter.

  Social media gives you the chance to spread your content to a wider audience. This is another reason to make sure you’re delivering good, shareable content. You can also use your own social sites to get more subscribers. Social media marketing and email marketing work best when you use them together!

• Keep Hype to a Minimum

  If there’s one thing many people are tired of today, it’s hype. This is something that can have a real impact on the results of your email marketing campaigns. If you use too much hype, exaggeration or marketing cliches in your emails, people may start to see them as spam.

  The best way to avoid this is to think of your emails as a tool for communication and education. Don’t try so hard to sell products in your messages. Whether you create your own products or you promote as an affiliate, you should focus on sending out emails that are helpful and information rich.

  In the long run, this will help you sell more. You can sell indirectly, by providing tips and solutions that your readers will appreciate. As they come to trust you, they will be more willing to consider your offers.

• Create Segmented Lists

  One way to make your email marketing more targeted is to use segmented lists. This means breaking down your lists to more specific areas of concern. Most email lists are very broad, covering fields such as making money online, fitness, pets and so on. None of these are really niches; they are more like general topics.

  If you are marketing to a broad audience, think of how you could focus on a smaller niche. You could turn one list into several smaller ones. For example, people who want to lose weight fall into many different categories. Some are looking for exercise programs, while others want diets. Within diets, you are better off focusing on one or a few diets of a certain type, such as low carb.

  The same principles can be applied to other topics. Most people are not interested in every aspect of a subject. They want you to address their own, personal concerns. Segmenting allows you to tailor your messages for a more specific audience, which brings you better results.

Email Marketing is still going strong in 2013

Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that email marketing is dead. This is far from the truth, as we can tell by the number of highly successful marketers still doing it. It has gotten more competitive, so you have to take extra care that you provide value to your subscribers. You also have to be more cautious than ever about avoiding spam complaints.

If you use email marketing as a way to build relationships with your customers you can still enjoy great benefits from it. Don’t try to use it as a way to make quick sales, but as a way to develop trust and rapport with your subscribers.