Email is one of the most powerful - and underappreciated - tools available to marketers today. Despite the sophisticated applications and dazzling technologies of the Web 2.0 era, email continues to be the most consistently effective marketing strategy and the primary channel of customer communication for businesses worldwide.
Email marketing has earned this stellar international reputation by delivering reliable, ROI-driven results at a low cost. It is immediately-actionable and allows you to quantify the results of your campaign quickly and improve the effectiveness of future initiatives. Email marketing is a proven way to attract new consumers, reward present customers, and develop long-term relationships with clients and prospects.
A targeted email campaign is a direct line of communication to your customers and provides an easy, inexpensive way to keep them informed of new products, promotions, events, and related company information. Because studies show that it is six to eight times cheaper to retain a current customer than to acquire a new one, it is also one of the most cost-effective strategies available.
You can effectively remarket to current customers utilizing special email deployments known as autoresponders. Autoresponders are emails delivered via an automated system to alert customers to information about their purchases, including delivery updates and order received notifications. These emails provide great opportunities for remarketing, upselling, and generating repeat business. The system can even be designed to offer incentives for additional orders at scheduled intervals after every purchase.
To maximize effectiveness, email marketing needs to be compelling, upfront, and relevant. It must provide a clear value to recipients and adhere to widely accepted standards of content and delivery. It must allow for easy list unsubscribing and follow federal CAN-SPAM (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) guidelines closely. Most importantly, it has to directly answer the most important question that consumers ask: What's in it for me?
Every email sent to present or potential consumers provides a tangible value. With a frenzied population that is overworked, overwhelmed and over-wired, email must clearly demonstrate a benefit that is simple to understand and easy to act on. In this uncertain financial climate, consumers are looking more than ever for proven benefits such as exclusive discounts, online coupons and loyalty reward programs.
Email is one of the most powerful marketing tools available when implemented effectively. A successful email campaign provides concrete benefits, offers engaging content, and earns the consumer's time and attention. By offering current and potential customers a clear value in respectful manner, email marketing can deliver great results time and again.