May 16, 2007
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To most eCommerce businesses and eTailers, email marketing today is one of the most cost-effective
and efficient methods to sell products to prospective or existing customers, to generate repeat sales or
simply to stay in touch with Internet users from all over the world.
Contrary to spam or unwanted (and UNWELCOMED) emails, targeted email marketing, often times called
permission-based email marketing
can be a strong addition for online marketers, on the condition that it is used appropriately.
For most email marketing campaigns, overall startup costs are so low that almost any eTailer can
successfully integrate a smartly-designed campaign for his or her eCommerce Web site in a relatively
short time.
With only a few rules of engagement, chances are good that it will make a reasonable ROI (return
on investment) very quickly. In many cases, the results can be almost immediate.
Additionally, professional email marketing isn't just a way to get your brand or products in front of people, it's
also a new opportunity to establish engagement, make new contacts and increase communications with
new or existing customers.
If you're serious about e-mail marketing, we've made available a small list of important things to
remember and do:
Number 1 - Whatever you do, DO NOT SPAM! Don't waste your time or other's sending emails to recipients who
never asked your email, don't need what you sell, don't want your products or services and don't wish
to know nothing about you! It is strongly recommended that you use "opt-in" e-mail lists to greatly optimize your marketing efforts.
Don't use an address list of so-called hot prospects ready to buy. You can encourage individuals to
visit your Web site with special offers to those who already opted-in. Banner ads can also drive people
who have some interest in what you have to offer. Of course, marketing materials of any kind should
include your company name, along with a link to your Web site. Once there, make it easy for Internet users
to act upon your offer. One great way to accomplish this is with the use of carefully crafted
landing pages.
Marketing experts agree that a good landing page can make a big difference in the overall success of an
email marketing campaign.
Number 2 - Marketing research done exclusively for the Internet shows that prospective buyers act on offers
of value more than anything else. If you're having a sale on a specific or unique product, previous customers
that have already bought that product are the perfect people to buy similar products when they go on sale
on your site. Create value for them. Make them come back. The most successful email marketing programs
track this data and use it intelligently. Try to think like a potential customer and answer the question:
"Is my email address worth parting with?" In the age of the Internet, it's the equivalent of asking for
a phone number that is privately listed, ie: not available in phone books!
Number 3 - Remember that your email message MUST be integrated with both content and various feedback methods
in the form of product up-sells or cross-sells that will leverage your customer data to meet your
specific needs. Overall, surveys that allow your customers in providing data that can be used to
better service and connect with the consumer can be of immense help to any of your marketing campaigns.
Leasing links to your website will increase your search engine visibility
Number 4 - Use the information that is provided to you from Number 3 to selectively keep them
well informed. Your message needs to be relevant and concise. If
you are a sporting goods store, and one of your previous customers bought fishing equipment for her
husband last year, your e-mail message can remind this person of say Father's Day and provide selective
information about new fishing gear that just arrived that could be perfect for that up-and-coming
anniversary. Your imagination can play a big role here. This will place you in a strong position of
providing relevant information that is needed and welcomed. Most of all, it is time-sensitive information
and it provides new product information based upon the customer's past behavior.
In conclusion, regardless of size, it's also important to note that any eTailer or eCommerce business
can afford almost any email marketing program. Additionally, small businesses can get in the game for
a relatively small investment. One of the best and most affordable permission based email marketing
program we recommend is Intelli Contact.
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Source: Marketing Trends
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