Are you feeling a bit confused about how to get started with email marketing? This unique approach to digital marketing has been around for quite a while, yet it is still a mystery to some. Even seasoned professionals in the industry might struggle to stay up-to-date with the times, and with the best practices in the industry. Keep reading to learn more about some important things you might not know about email marketing! Whether you are learning something for the first time or dispelling some outdated notion, this article will highlight some of the current best practices to consider when creating killer emails for your audience.
1) A good headline is actually the most important part of any email.
It’s unbelievable how little effort goes into headlines sometimes. Many people go as far as leaving the title section blank! This is a crucial mistake because headlines are a huge opportunity. They allow you to impress the reader immediately, often providing them a reason to click and keep reading the rest of your email. A good headline is like the first bite of a delicious slice of pizza. If you enjoy it, you certainly going to want more of it!
2) You should not include too many links and media.
Many emails are completely overrun with links, images, and lists of URLs. There is nothing more confusing and unprofessional than receiving poorly formatted emails that are filled with ridiculous amounts of content. It’s important to realize when too much is too much. Avoid adding more than 3 links to an email, and don’t use too many text anchors, which can be confusing and annoying. In addition to that, emails that are loaded with media can actually slow down the performance of certain browsers, meaning that users that have a slow connection or read through their mobiles might not get the best experience.
3) The quality of your writing matters.
We don’t mean to sound like the grammar police, but great writing matters. If you want to appear credible, professional and trustworthy, start with good writing. Errors, poor formatting, and overly conversational writing will make you sound goofy. On the other hand, if you sound too serious and formal, you will appear tedious and stiff. It’s important to strike a good balance between the two extremes.
4) A final call to action is the second most important section of your email.
A call to action, also known as a “CTA,” is vital, yet many forgot to add one at the end of their emails. CTAs are a good way to advertise your links and contact information, so your readers can take action and experience more of your brand.
5) Sending emails too often is not a good idea.
Don’t overdo it: sending too many emails can be annoying for your subscribers. It’s a bit like “that annoying friend” on Instagram that floods your wall with bathroom selfies. You don’t want your readers to feel the same about your emails!
6) Emails should not be too long-winded and formal
Many businesses try to use a formal and long-winded tone when sending emails to their customers. While you think this might make you look more professional, the opposite is often quite true. Emails with “big words” and long-winded text bodies can be unappealing. Readers often read at a 7th-grade level, and the more complex your text is, the harder it will be for them to understand. Empathize with your audience by keeping your content relatively short and easy to get.
7) Using automated software is vital to a better workflow.
Automated applications are perfect to enhance your email marketing strategies. Software solutions like EMMA are particularly geared toward optimizing your email. With their extensive features, these programs can easily fulfill all of your email processing needs.