It doesn't matter how big or small your company, or how famous its
name. The internet is the great leveler when it comes to marketing, and
e-mail marketing works the best--and it works for most every company. In
fact, it may actually work better for the small niche business.
Anyone can put an e-mail capture page on her website, upload her e-mail
list, create e-mail templates, and send out e-mails that are Can-Spam
compliant with the proper opt-out links. But the smaller and more niche
your business is, the more effective you can be through e-mail in driving
sales. You may drive to Walmart or log on to Amazon.com or eBay when you
need to buy something, but a small business using email marketing will
email you and remind you what you like and what you've purchased before.
They'll whisper in your ear, isn't it about time you checked back to see
what's available? or even suggest something new that they thought you might
like.
Email marketing is your chance to build a relationship with your customer.
But even though someone requests your email, they may still report you as a
spammer. Here are 10 steps to take to build a proper relationship with your
recipients so they don't report your email as spam:
1. Ask subscribers to confirm their subscriptions. Don't accept a list of
people who didn't uncheck a box, be absolutely sure they know what they
signed up for and verified it through their email address.
2. Manage expectations. Be clear what kind of email you'll be sending, and
how often. Be as precise as possible. Confirm subscriptions and send prompt
introductory welcome messages. Then keep your end of the bargain.
3. Make your identity clear in the inbox. Use a consistent, plain-English
"from" or sender name, such as your company or mailing name -- they are
logical and trusted. Also use an easily identified "from" address such as
newsletter@mycompany.com. Don't use your name as the sender unless the name
itself is a strong, identifiable brand.
4. Notice when you've lost their interest. If recipients aren't responding
the way they used to, it's time to reassess what you're sending. Let your
recipients control what they receive. Let them opt out of a particular
campaign, rather than having them opt off your list completely.
5. "Add to address book" language needs to be included at the top of your
email such as: "Add newsletter@mycompany.com to your address book."
6. Include teaser text at the top of your email to help someone decide
whether to open the email, such as a brief list of headlines or contents.
7. Develop your masthead made up of HTML colors and text, rather than one
that is image-based, in case your reader has images disabled.
8. Brand your subject lines. Email recipients use various means to scan
their inboxes for wanted emails, by the "from" name, the subject lines or a
combination of both, or by what they can see in a preview pane. Make it
easier for them by providing secondary branding in your subject lines. If
your "from" name is "MyCompany," then the subject line might include
"{MyCompany News}" or {Name of Newsletter}."
Brackets { } work well to help your email stand out in the inbox without
triggering spam filters like many symbols do. And don't forget to make it
interesting!
9. Don't over-email. If you tell subscribers they'll receive three to four
emails a month, don't send eight.
10. Include a resource box in your emails. Many email clients have a footer
option available; this is a box or distinct area at the end of each email
with as much of the following information as you can provide:
a. How to unsubscribe
b. The email address you are sending to
c. Your postal mailing address (CAN-SPAM requirement)
d. Contact information
e. How and when the recipient subscribed
f. Brief description of and link to your full privacy policy.
This admin center helps your subscriber contact you and to control her
account. This will boost her trust and therefore her desire to remain on
your list. It also provides greater transparency.
Building an internet business is all about building trust, and you want
your email to be honest, legitimate and the one your recipient asked to
receive.
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