Join us LIVE ✨Create the Right Strategy to 10X Your Business in 2024.
Mayple logo

Email Marketing

Explore a curated variety of expert-produced resources on email marketing, from prospecting and segmentation to personalization. Get inspired by real examples and access tailored templates to delight your customers—every single time you press send.
a woman looking at a laptop screen with icons surrounding her preview image

Email-Marketing-Courses
Email Marketing14 Top Email Marketing Courses in 2024If you think email marketing is for the 1990s and irrelevant to your business in 2024, think again. Email marketing continues to be an important element of every good digital marketing strategy as an effective way to reach customers and promote products and services. It's a cost-effective and targeted approach that lets you connect with potential customers. Plus, with the rise of mobile devices, email marketing has become even more powerful as people check their emails on the go. But how do you learn important email marketing concepts? Online courses are a great idea, but where do you start when Googling "popular email marketing course" yields no less than 2,400,000,000 results, and platforms like Udemy and Omnisend Academy abound with options? We took a closer look at some of the most popular email marketing courses online, and we came up with a list of 14 worth your time. Keep reading to learn more! What you need to know about email marketing Many aspects of email marketing make it one of the smartest ways for business owners to reach out to customers and build a relationship with them. It comes with a lot of benefits, including but not limited to: Great personalization capabilities A comprehensive email strategy involves personalized messages that are tailored to suit each customer. Using their names, previous purchase history, where they are in your sales funnel, and other relevant information can create a more personalized experience for your subscribers. (Source) Capacity to send targeted emails Unlike traditional marketing methods, email marketers are constantly segmenting audiences and sending targeted emails to specific groups. This means that you can create different campaigns for different customer segments based on their interests, behaviors, or demographics. As a result, your emails will:  Feed into your customer journey Build better, stronger customer relationships Enhance the overall customer experience and help you foster customer loyalty  Cost-efficiency and high ROI Compared to other marketing channels, email marketing ROI continues to be quite impressive. With a minimal investment, you can reach many customers and see a high return on investment (ROI). In fact, for every $1 spent on email marketing, the average ROI is $36. So this is a well-worth-it area to invest in your digital marketing skills. (Source) Boosts customer engagement Not only is email marketing ROI high, but this digital marketing channel is also an effective way to keep your customers engaged and informed about your brand. By consistently sending them valuable and relevant content, you can build a strong relationship with them and increase their loyalty to your business. You can also complement your email campaigns with an SMS marketing strategy to really stay top-of-mind for your audience. Great promotional channel The average conversion rate for email marketing is around 8.8%. By comparison, the average conversion rate for Instagram ads is 1.1%, similar to that of TikTok. Factor in that email marketing is a lot cheaper and happens on an owned channel, and it all becomes a no-brainer: email marketing is an excellent promotional channel for business growth. Additionally, email marketing can also be an excellent asset for your content marketing team, as email is one of the most profitable and effective distribution channels for content.  Helps you become an authority in your space Successful email campaigns are about more than just promotions: they are an amazing nurture channel. By sending valuable and educational content to your subscribers, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field, gaining trust and credibility among your audience. You can share step by step instructions on the best use of your product or service, industry insights, and more.  Easy to track and measure All professional email marketers will tell you that campaign metrics – such as open rates, click-through rates, conversions, etc. – are crucial. Luckily, they're also easy to track so that you can measure the success of your campaigns, allowing you to continuously improve your strategies and optimize your campaigns for better results. Some of the email metrics you can measure include: Open rates: The percentage of subscribers who opened your emailClick-through rates (CTR): The percentage of subscribers who clicked on a link within your emailBounce rate: The percentage of emails that were not delivered successfullyUnsubscribe rate: The percentage of subscribers who unsubscribed from your list after receiving an email (Source) Can be automated Email marketing automation allows you to set up triggered emails, such as welcome emails or abandoned cart emails, that are sent out automatically based on specific actions or behaviors of your subscribers. This saves you time and effort while still ensuring timely and relevant communication with your customers. Top 14 email marketing courses to consider in 2024 If you've decided to improve your email marketing skills but have no idea where to start, don't worry! We've compiled a list of the top 15 email marketing courses to consider in 2024. These courses cover many topics, from the basics of email marketing to advanced-level techniques and tactics for experienced marketers. So whether you're a beginner, an experienced marketer, or a business owner looking to build a successful email marketing campaign, there's something for everyone on this list. Here are some of the best email marketing online courses (in no particular order): Advanced Email Marketing from Simplilearn Despite the name, The Advanced Email Marketing course from Simplilearn is more than suitable for beginners too. It includes a wide range of actionable steps on: Driving traffic through emailsFundamental concepts of email marketing strategyBuilding email listsEmail campaignsGetting email subscribersMarketing brands through emailEmail rules and regulationsSending mass emails...And more. This is a popular email marketing course that has been taken by more than 15,500 people so far and it has a rating of 4.5/ 5 stars on Simplilearn. Time to complete: 5 hours (self-paced), 90 days access to the course Certificate: Yes, upon completion Price: Free Email Marketing Certification from HubSpot HubSpot Academy is, undoubtedly, a powerhouse in the world of marketing. It's no surprise, then, that their Email Marketing Certification is one of the most popular and highly-rated email marketing courses out there. This course has hours of video content that will teach you everything from creating an effective email strategy to developing engaging content, segmenting your audience, and optimizing your campaigns for better results. This course focuses a lot on how email marketing and the buyer's journey are connected, making it perfect for businesses looking to improve their overall marketing strategy. At the same time, you'll gain insights into how to create email campaigns, the types of emails you can send out, and other more specific topics. Keep in mind that HubSpot Academy courses do not include step by step walkthroughs. They're generally guides that help you understand specific areas of marketing, in the context of inbound lead generation.  Time to complete: 4 hours Certificate: Yes Price: Free (you have lifetime access to courses for free, but keep in mind the certification expires after two years) Think Outside the Inbox from Google/Coursera When top digital marketing experts from Google and Coursera come together, you know it will be a good course. Think Outside the Inbox, developed by Google, will help you understand email marketing best practices and how to use data to drive targeted campaigns for effective email marketing strategy that resonate with your audience. The course includes modules with actionable steps on writing effective subject lines, creating engaging content, analyzing email performance, and how to execute email marketing campaigns from A to Z. The course has 4.8 stars out of 5 from more than 1,400 people who took it, so you can be sure you'll get a good grasp of the basics of email marketing when you're though. Time to complete: 25 hours (self-paced) Certificate: Yes (with a fee) Price: You can enroll for a free 7-day trial on Coursera, after which it costs $39/month to access everything Coursera has to offer to improve your digital marketing skills, including other popular email marketing courses. Email Marketing 101 from Omnisend Academy The Omnisend Academy offers not one, but an entire bundle of courses for those who want or need to learn more about email marketing. This set of courses covers everything from how to send a welcome flow to basics in email marketing, grow your email list, and write effective CTAs. The best part about this course is that all content is easily digestible, time-saving, and broken down into actionable steps. You're getting all the information you need to get started without wasting any time. Of course, it all focuses on Omnisend as a product, but it still makes for a good learning experience. Time to complete: Depends on the modules or courses in the Omnisend Academy, it ranges between 3 minutes and 1 hour Certificate: No Price: Free (unlimited lifetime access) Mailchimp Academy (on Mailchimp & Co.) Similarly to Omnisend, Mailchimp also offers an academy section on its website to help users master their email marketing platform. Mailchimp Academy has a mix of articles, guides, step by step walkthroughs, and courses covering everything from creating a landing page, using Instagram ads with Mailchimp, and even e-commerce digital marketing tips & tricks. Time to complete: Depends on the specific certification Certificate: Yes Price: Free, but you have to be enrolled in Mailchimp & co Email Marketing Mastery from DigitalMarketer This course consists of 10 modules that are easy to navigate and digest. Email Marketing Mastery from DigitalMarketer will help you get a solid foundation on which email marketing strategies work (and which don't), how to create effective lead magnets, how to use segmentation effectively, and how to optimize your email efforts for the customer journey. If you're serious about improving your email marketing skills, enrolling in this course is an actionable step to do just that. Time to complete: not estimated Certificate: Yes Price: $495 Certification for Email Marketing from the Brevo Academy Brevo Academy's certification for email marketing includes 8 modules. It covers everything you need to know to get started on email marketing, from choosing the right software to GDPR compliance, building email lists, boosting email marketing KPIs, and A/B testing. This popular email marketing course comes with four eBooks, 64 videos, and 62 questions. Time to complete: 2 hours Certificate: Yes Price: free (the Bravo Academy is offers free lifetime access for anyone, regardless of whether they have a Brevo account) Email Marketing Essentials from Skillshare A lot of people prefer the online learning platforms like Skillshare because it allows them to check social proof and reviews before they enroll. For example, The Email Marketing Essentials course was taken by more than 14,800 people, showing there's great interest in it. The digital marketing expert instructing the course has a decent rating, as well.  Unlike most of the other courses on the same topic, this walks email marketers through actionable steps on optimizing the design and layout of email campaigns. If your interest is more design-oriented, it might be the right choice for you. Time to complete: 36 minutes Certificate: Yes Price: Skillshare is free for 7 days; after that, premium access will cost you $32/ month or $168/ year (and, for the money, you'll have access to all their content Email Marketing: Increase Sales with Email Marketing by Udemy As a learning platform, Udemy can feel like a hit or miss. Still, the Email Marketing: Increase Sales course is a genuinely comprehensive one. It has a 4.4 out of 5 rating from more than 64,259 students, which means the vast majority of people who took it had a good learning experience. The course covers everything you need to know about email marketing, from GDPR compliance to designing emails with SendPulse, dodging spam complaints, segmenting your audience, designing subscription forms, and more. Time to complete: 2 hours Certificate: Yes Price: The base price is $47, but Udemy offers discounts regularly (e.g., at the moment of writing this article, the course is just $8!) Email and Newsletter Marketing Foundations by LinkedIn Learning LinkedIn Learning's Email and Newsletter Marketing Foundations is a solid course, especially for beginner email marketers. It teaches you important digital marketing skills, like how to build, segment and nurture your email list, create engaging content, choose the right email templates, measure the success of your campaigns, and more. More than 70,000 people have taken the course, and it has a 4.7 out of 5 rating from more than 1,100 of its students. Time to complete: 45 minutes Certificate: Yes Price: Free if you have LinkedIn Premium, or approximately $18 for just this course Digital Marketing Bundle by Reliablesoft The Digital Marketing Bundle, put together by Reliablesoft and taught by successful digital marketing experts, is a collection of 10 courses that cover everything in digital marketing: SEO, content, social media, Google Ads, email marketing, and more. Unfortunately, you can't get just the email marketing course – but you can get the full bundle and immerse yourself in more than 75 lessons that will give you a bird's eye view of how online marketing works. The email marketing course covers email marketing tools, automation, email flows, and building lists – the basic actionable steps you need to know about to create email marketing funnels that work for your business (regardless of whether you want to run eCommerce email marketing campaigns or apply the knowledge to other industries). Time to complete: Not estimated Certificate: No Price: $114 for the whole bundle (and a 60-day money-back guarantee) Email Marketing Masterclass for Beginners by Wishpond Wishpond's Email Marketing Masterclass covers a fairly wide range of topics, from what mistakes to avoid in email marketing to actionable steps on how to build funnels and campaigns. If you're looking for a brief intro to email marketing, this online email marketing course with actionable steps, taught by an experienced marketer from Wishpond, might be a good fit. Time to complete: Not estimated Certificate: No Price: Free Email Marketing: Master the Fundamentals by CXL It's known that CXL offers some of the best courses in digital marketing. If you're serious about email marketing and improving your digital marketing skills, their Email Marketing: Master the Fundamentals course is worth looking at. Developed by a well-respected digital marketing professional, the course covers topics such as how to optimize your list growth, use email data to fuel your marketing efforts and create email content that drives actual results. Time to complete: 4 hours (1 hour/lesson) Certificate: Yes Price: $299 Email Marketing Online Training Course by Udacity Udacity's Email Marketing Online Training Course includes lessons on how to build an email list, how to create an email campaign, how to create an email plan, and how to measure the effectiveness of your email efforts. It also includes real-world projects and information on email marketing careers, which makes it easier to apply your knowledge in practice – helpful for even experienced marketers. Time to complete: 4 weeks Certificate: Yes Price: $249/ month or $846/ four months Are there any other sources for email marketing learning? Absolutely! The internet abounds with learning opportunities in virtually every domain, and email marketing makes no difference from this general rule. However, finding sources of information is not the hardest part of all: filtering through all the options is. Generally, you want to look for popular email marketing courses or learning resources, offer practical knowledge, and have good reviews from other learners. Following more experienced marketers on social media for tips and tactical walkthroughs is another way to slowly build up your digital marketing skills. For instance, Mayple doesn't offer any actual course, but we have decades of collective experience in creating, managing, and strategizing efficient email marketing. As do the email marketing consultants and digital marketing professionals we work with. So when we put together information on email marketing, you can bet your money it's accurate, up-to-date, and useful. Here are our latest pieces, for example. The key to learning email marketing (and any other digital marketing skill) lies in trying stuff. Theory will only get you so far, but experimenting with different techniques, popular email marketing platforms, and strategies is what will make you an email marketing specialist. ...And if you need help running your email efforts, don't hesitate to hire a Mayple-vetted email marketing agency. Contact us, and we will match you with the right expert for your business goals.
email-click-through-rate
Email MarketingWhat is Email Click Through Rate + How To Up CTRCongrats! You've just sent your first (or 100th) email marketing campaign and you're eagerly awaiting your stats. You can almost see people opening your email (that subject line was really engaging!), scanning it and... Going back to their inboxes without clicking your CTA buttons? Oh no! What do you do to avoid this? First of all: don't panic. The fact that people are opening your email is already a great sign! But if you want your emails to drive results for your business, make sure they click on your email links. Your click through rate is one of the most important email marketing metrics to track when it comes to email campaigns. It tells you how many people clicked on any of your links to visit your website or landing page. This is where conversions happen – whether it's buying a product, signing up for a service, or learning about your brand. What can you do to improve your click through rate? Keep reading to find out. What is the email click through rate (CTR)? Email click through rate (CTR) is a metric that measures how many people click in emails out of all the emails that were delivered. Your CTR shows how many emails subscribers click. (Source) How to calculate click through rate? To calculate the click through rate, divide the number of clicks by the total number of emails delivered, then multiply by 100. This will give you a percentage value that represents your email CTR. For example, if you sent out 100 emails and received 10 clicks, your CTR would be 10%. Factors that affect your CTR A low click through rate is not the end of the world, but it's worthy of your attention. Generally, the factors that affect your CTR include: Your content Create email content that's engaging, relevant, and visually appealing to catch the attention of your subscribers. Boring or irrelevant content could cause you to lose readers, lowering your CTR. Want to make sure your email content is on point every time? Contact Mayple and allow us to match you with one of our brilliant vetted email marketing copywriting experts! You'll be all set and ready to go in less than three days. The email layout The layout of your email can also affect your CTR. A cluttered and confusing email design is more likely to discourage clicks, whereas a clean, organized layout makes it easy for readers to find what they're looking for. Keep your email design simple and visually appealing. Use images, bullet points, and headings to break up the text to make it easier for readers to scan through. Your call to action Last, but not least, your call to action (CTA) plays a crucial role in your email CTR. Your CTA should be clear, concise, and compelling for readers to click. (Source) Make sure to use action words and create a sense of urgency to encourage your subscribers to act. It's also important to place your CTA strategically throughout the email, ideally towards the beginning and end where it is most likely to catch the reader's attention. For instance, this BFCM email campaign from REI has all the marks of a winning promotional email. It's engaging, looks great, and the CTA connects to the entire email seamlessly, while also urging you to take action. Click rate (CR) vs click through rate There is some confusion regarding email click rate (CR) versus click through rate. While these terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference between them. The click rate (CR) refers to the number of clicks on a link within an email, divided by the total number of delivered emails. This metric gives you an overall view of how many people interacted with your email in some way. The click through rate specifically measures how many people clicked on a link within an email, out of all the people who opened that email. This metric is more focused and gives you a better understanding of how effective your CTA and email content are in driving clicks. How to calculate click rate? To calculate email click rate, email marketers divide the total number of clicks by the total number of delivered emails and multiply it by 100. This will give you a percentage value that represents your email click rate. For example, if your email had 100 clicks out of 1000 delivered emails, your CR would be 10%. Why are click rates and click through rates important? Both your click through rate and your click rate are important indicators of how well your emails are performing – so tracking them is essential if you want to make sure your campaigns go well and improve over time. Why is click through rate important? Knowing your click through rate is important for many reasons: It measures the effectiveness of your emails By tracking how many clicks your emails are getting, you can see which ones are successful in grabbing the reader's attention and prompting them to take action. This information can be used to improve future campaigns. It gives you a benchmark When you have a benchmark CTR, you can compare it to industry averages or your previous email campaigns. This will help you determine if your email performance is above or below average and what areas need improvement. It helps identify subscriber engagement A high CTR indicates that subscribers are actively engaging with your emails and finding value in the content. On the other hand, a low CTR may indicate that your subscribers are not interested in your emails or that there is room for improvement in your email content. (Source) It helps you not lose sight of the goal ...Which is to drive revenue. There's no point in crafting neat email subject lines, segmenting your list, and personalizing your emails if you don't do it all with one purpose: to drive revenue. It may not be direct (for example, some emails incentivize people to recommend your business or sign up for a webinar). But even when your email campaigns are not directly correlated to revenue, the end goal is the same. When you measure your CTR, you see how many of your subscribers got you closer to your goal, and this helps you understand how your business is growing. Why are click rates important? Here are some reasons why tracking your click rate is as important as your CTRs: It shows you the big picture While CTR indicates the effectiveness of your email content and CTAs, click rate gives you a broader view of how many people are interacting with your emails. This helps you identify issues with your list or deliverability that need to be addressed. It helps optimize your email design By tracking your click rate, you can see which email layouts and designs are most effective in driving clicks. This information can then be used to optimize future emails and improve performance. It helps increase conversion rates A high click rate indicates that subscribers are not only opening your emails but also taking action by clicking on links within the email. This can ultimately lead to increased conversion rates and revenue for your business. (Source) Click rates vs open rates Another frequently confused metric is click-to-open rate vs open rate. They are both important, yet different, to gaining different insights into your campaign performance. Your email open rate is simply the percentage of people who opened your email. This metric does not take into account any actions taken within the email, such as clicks. There are a lot of factors that influence your open rates, but, generally, your subject lines and your bounce rates (both hard and soft bounces) are the two most important metrics to look at if you want to improve your open rate.  On the other hand, your click through rate measures the number of clicks on links within your email, regardless of whether or not the email was opened. Combining both open and click rates can give you a more complete understanding of subscriber engagement and the success of your email campaigns. Last, but not least, your click-to-open rate measures the percentage of people who open your emails and click on a link. You can choose to follow this specific metric depending on your email marketing goals, but it can be a good indicator of how coordinated your email marketing strategies are. Average click-through rates & open rates: benchmarks you need to know General and industry email marketing benchmarks help you understand what your click rates and click through rates should be. This can give you a good point of reference when analyzing your own email performance and determining what your target audience wants to hear from you.  Regardless of the benchmarks, every company should measure their email metrics against general, industry, and past performance numbers. For instance, if your welcome emails have a click through rate of 0.9% and you make adjustments to bump that number to 1.2% but your industry average is 1.5%, that is still a significant improvement. Likewise, the type of email you send will influence your click through rates and open rates too. For instance, a Thank You email or a post-purchase email may have a significantly higher open rate and click through rate than a product update email. That being said, here are some numbers to keep in mind: General good open rates Across industries, the average email open rate stands at 21.33%. If you want good open rate for your emails, aim for somewhere between 17 and 28%. Open rates per industry Industry-specific benchmarks are a better indicator than general open rates, especially if you're in one of the industries with a significantly low or high average email open rate. Here are some industry-specific benchmarks, as per a recent study from WebFX's: Advertising and marketing: 19.30%Automotive and aerospace: 12.60%Beauty and personal care: 16.65%eCommerce: 15.68%Financial: 20.20%Food and beverage: 13.00%Government: 19.70%Health and fitness: 21.36%IT, tech, and software: 17.60%Media and entertainment: 18.10%Retail: 13.90% (Source: WebFX) Click through rates per industry Looking at click through rates per industry can also help you better gauge how well your emails are doing. Here are some of the stats you need to know, according to WebFX's latest research: Advertising and marketing: 2.60%Automotive and aerospace: 1.20%Beauty and personal care: 1.92%eCommerce: 2.01%Financial: 2.50%Food and beverage: 1.20%Government: 4.10%Health and fitness: 2.69%IT, tech, and software: 2.50%Media and entertainment: 3.10%Retail: 2.10% High click rate but low conversions: how does it happen? Sometimes, you may have a high click rate, but your conversion rate fails to deliver on those clicks. Here are some of the reasons why this may happen: The contact list is irrelevant to your business Having a large email list is great. Still, it will help no one if you have a list full of inactive customers you can't re-engage, or if the subscribers on that list are not interested in what you offer. Even if they do open your emails and click, it will not translate into conversions. This highlights the importance of targeted and segmented email lists. The goal of sending marketing emails is not to send them to as many people as possible, but to send them to as many relevant people. These are people who are likely to become loyal customers. That's where conversions and customer retention magic happen.  (Source) Email content does not match subscriber expectations If your email content does not align with the expectations set for new subscribers, they may click on links out of curiosity or interest, but ultimately not convert because the content does not meet their needs. Make sure to set clear expectations for subscribers and deliver relevant content in your emails. Poor buyer experience Your email campaigns don't end with a click on your emails – they also involve the buyer experience after being directed to your website. If the landing page or purchase process is not user-friendly or does not meet expectations, it can deter potential customers from converting. Make sure to optimize your website and buying process for a seamless customer journey. How to use CR and CTR to optimize your email campaigns Both your click rate and your click through rate are great indicators of how well your campaigns are performing. However, measuring them is not enough. You need to take action based on your metrics and continuously optimize your email campaigns for better results. Here are some ways you can use your CR and CTR to optimize your email campaigns Segment your list By segmenting your email list based on subscriber engagement, you can tailor your campaigns better to suit the interests and behaviors of different groups. For example, if a group has a consistently low click through rate, you may want to re-evaluate the content and offers in those emails or remove them from that campaign. (Source) Personalize your emails With segmentation comes great personalization potential. Use subscriber data to personalize your emails and make them more relevant to each individual. Personalized emails have been shown to have higher open and click through rates, significantly impacting your overall email performance. Run A/B tests A/B testing can help you identify what works best for your specific audience and improve your overall email performance. Use A/B tests to test different subject lines, email designs, calls to action buttons, and more. Based on the results, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your campaigns. Optimize for mobile 47% of people use mobile apps to read their emails on their phones. You need to make sure your emails are optimized for mobile devices, or else you may lose out on a significant chunk of potential conversions. Make sure to use responsive email designs and test them thoroughly before sending them out. (Source) Include an unsubscribe button  Want to maintain list hygiene and keep your contacts relevant to your business, while complying with GDPR and other data privacy regulations? You want to keep unsubscribe rates as low as possible, but you don't want people to mark your emails as spam (or worse, report you to data privacy authorities). So make sure to include an unsubscribe button or link in your email. It's a "set it and forget it" kind of thing that helps you avoid a lot of hassle down the line. Make sure the link placement is visible, though. You want subscribers to find it as easily as possible. Leverage social proof Customer testimonials can be a complete game changer. They build trust with your email readers and make it more likely to click that call to action button. If you want to take this up a notch, include a social sharing button and encourage people to share your content or product pages with their network.  Your click through rate: the ultimate sentinel of your email campaigns All email metrics are key metrics. But if you have to narrow it all down to revenue-boosting KPIs (conversions, customer retention, etc.), your click through rate is one of the most important metrics to look at. If people aren't clicking through to your website or landing page, they're not going to convert no matter how high your open rates are. Use this metric wisely and always strive for continuous improvement. Test things out, make your CTA buttons pop brighter, and always make sure your subject line, preheader text, and email content strive for one goal and one goal only: to make people click and take action. Want to make sure your email content is on point every time? Contact Mayple and allow us to match you with one of our brilliant vetted email marketing copywriting experts! You'll be all set and ready to go in less than three days.
Best eCommerce Email Marketing Agencies to Hire in 2024
Top expertsBest eCommerce Email Marketing Agencies to Hire in 2024Whether your goal is to improve customer retention, fine-tune promotional campaigns, or optimize automated email sequences, these agencies can help you navigate the complex world of email marketing and elevate your eCommerce brand to new heights. Our top picks for the best eCommerce email marketing agencies 1. Pixated - Best overall 2. KAMG - Best for innovative email marketing strategies 3. ROI Escalator - Best for global eCommerce success 4. Snap Advantage - Best for B2B collaboration 5. Aspekt - Best for high-performance marketing 6. Mind Ad Media -Best for store profit optimization 7. The Email Marketers - Best for customer bond building 8. Taken Digital - Best for data-backed email marketing 9. Dido Agency - Best for automated email marketing 10. King Pixel Digital Marketing - Best for women-led businesses What is an eCommerce email marketing agency? It's a type of eCommerce agency that specializes in email marketing for eCommerce stores. Their role involves designing, creating, and sending transactional, promotional, and lifecycle email campaigns. A really good email agency would create an email campaign calendar, build automated email sequences, improve your email deliverability, and perfect the entire customer journey for your email subscribers. What does email marketing mean for an eCommerce brand? Email marketing is a marketing channel that uses email messages to convert potential customers and leads. For eCommerce brands, email marketing usually includes promotional email marketing campaigns and automated email flows such as the cart abandonment flow, welcome flow, and shipping and delivery notifications. How can an email marketing agency help? Email marketing has the biggest ROI of any marketing channel for eCommerce businesses. All the various traffic channels flow into your email list, and it's crucial for brands to take advantage of that and power up their email campaigns. The challenge is that often, brands are limited on resources and lack the design skills and the email automation chops to really grow their email marketing program. Thus, business owners need email marketing experts who have experience working with the particular email marketing platform the business uses, have designers on the team, and can create emails that look good and have high conversion rates. How to find the perfect email marketing agency How do you find the perfect email marketing agency for your eCommerce business? Here are a few things to look out for. Track record of success First and foremost, the agency must have a successful record working with similar brands. They have to be good at what they do. Most of the time, all you see are customer testimonials and fancy case studies, but you need to look under the hood. Ask to see the actual campaigns the agency has set up and see their email designs, the type of sequences they've built, and their sales funnels. With Mayple, you get to see that data. Experience in your niche The agency should also have experience working with other brands in your specific niche. They have to be comfortable working with a similar audience and a similar budget and know what works and what doesn't. They have to be able to create email content that works and maximize your email marketing ROI. Highly responsive and adaptable It's also important for any email marketing partner you work with to be responsive and adaptable. They should report on the results of each campaign and keep you in the loop with all the metrics they're tracking, like open rates, click-through rates, and email revenue. They should also be able to adapt to changes in your audience and seasonality and do a lot of A/B testing. What are the skills of a perfect email marketing agency? There is a wide range of skills that any agency offering email marketing services should have. Here are the most important ones: Automated email sequences & flows A good eCommerce email marketing agency should be able to build email marketing funnels for different segments of your audience. They should be able to take your existing flows and improve them based on industry best practices. In short, they should know email marketing automation like the back of their hand. Promotional email campaigns Promotional campaigns are the backbone of a healthy email program. They're made for sending out promotions, product launches, holiday campaigns, and email newsletters. They're also great for sending out referral and customer loyalty messages to your loyal customers. Knowledge of email tools & platforms The agency you pick should be familiar with a variety of email marketing software and how it integrates with your specific eCommerce platform. They should know how to create advanced flows using email list segmentation and personalization. They should also be experts in email deliverability and help you improve those open rates. Each tool requires both implementation and frequent testing and troubleshooting (based on data and customer behavior). You don't want to launch your email campaigns only to discover that the data isn't syncing correctly, so make sure the agency knows the specific tool you're using and has the expertise to use its advanced features. For instance, if you're using Mailchimp, you should work with one of our top-notch Mailchimp experts. Detailed eCommerce email marketing strategy Don't just settle for the first email strategy proposal you get. Get several proposals from your agency candidates and make sure they're comprehensive, thorough, and realistic. Expertise in omnichannel strategies Last but not least, it's critical that the agency you work with has a good understanding of the other channels you're using. No email marketing solution is complete without complementary channels like SMS marketing, retargeting, and push notifications. These other channels are needed to maximize email marketing performance. And not all email marketing companies have the expertise with them. So make sure you pick a full-stack email marketing agency that can work on all these channels and integrate them. Hire the perfect eCommerce email agency with Mayple Are you tired of sifting through lists of candidates and not knowing who to choose? Simplify your whole hiring process with Mayple. We have 600+ top digital marketing agencies with proven experience and a track record in your niche. Here's how our process works: You fill out the information about your business and your marketing goalsWe match you with the best agencies based on 50+ factors and our proprietary AI platformYou approve them, and they get started The whole process takes 3-5 business days. It's simple, transparent, and the best part is—you get a dedicated strategist to review your account, make sure the agency is doing its job, and help you expand to new channels.
AI and email marketing
Marketing strategyWhat Is the Future of Email Marketing? How AI Has Changed the GameDigital marketing is constantly changing, and email marketing, a time-tested strategy, is no exception. Of the many key trends shaping the future of email marketing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is perhaps the most intriguing. Already the adoption of AI in marketing activities is expected to grow exponentially from $27.4 billion in 2023 to $107.4 billion in 2028. As for email marketing specifically, more than 50% of email marketers have already indicated that they think AI has improved their marketing activities, rising above traditional methods. But why are email marketers saying this? Below, we explore what AI brings to the email marketing table, its challenges and opportunities, plus how it'll impact the future of marketing. Meet the expert Andrew Royal, a seasoned marketing executive with nearly a decade of experience, is the founder of RevOps. He specializes in helping SMBs optimize revenue operations through data-driven strategies. Setting the stage: From inbox clutter to opened emails The competition for inbox attention has never been fiercer. There are an estimated 347.3 billion emails sent and received globally per day. That's expected to increase to 392.5 billion by 2025. Plus, while email open rate benchmarks differ according to industries, the average open rate is only 21.5%. So, how do you make sure your email gets opened? Enter AI-generated content. AI is set to revolutionize email marketing by helping craft compelling subject lines and content. AI can even assist with image selection and collaboration, making it easier for teams to work together efficiently. Tools like Figma and Canva have further democratized design, allowing marketers to create visually appealing emails effortlessly. » Boost your subscriber engagement with these powerful tips. Maximizing email marketing with AI AI's potential in email marketing is vast, but it's essential to use it wisely. AI won't replace human marketers just yet, but it can empower those who harness its capabilities effectively. AI-generated content, images, videos, and even voices are becoming more accessible. Here are some practical ways you can harness the power of AI to enhance your email campaigns. Personalization beyond first names Currently, AI can analyze user behavior, preferences, and past interactions to dynamically tailor email content. For example, it can recommend products based on browsing history or suggest relevant blog articles to your customers. By emailing content that's more likely to resonate with each recipient, you increase the chances of engagement and conversion. Consider how this grocer used AI to create a personalized email with tailored product recommendations: Personalized email subheadingCountdown timer to create urgencyList of personalized product recommendationsChoice of purchasing method AI-generated content While it may not be ready to write an entire email from scratch, AI can certainly assist in drafting email content. It can analyze and process data from various sources, including customer behavior, website interactions, and social media trends, to generate content ideas that are likely to resonate with your audience. For example, if AI detects a spike in interest around a specific topic, it can suggest creating content related to that trend. Plus, AI can analyze your audience's preferences and historical click-through rates to generate attention-grabbing headlines with a higher chance of enticing people to open the email. » Use these ChatGPT prompts to enhance your email campaigns Customer lifecycle predictions AI can predict where a customer is in their journey and send emails accordingly. For instance, it can identify new customers, loyal customers, or those showing signs of churn by analyzing patterns and user behaviors. That data can then be used to trigger automated retention-focused emails that include personalized offers, loyalty rewards, or simply a friendly check-in to address concerns. Consider this snapshot from an email by LinkedIn to remind a customer of their free marketing consultation: Chatbots and virtual assistants When a customer or subscriber responds to an email, AI-powered chatbots can instantly acknowledge the message and provide relevant information or assistance. AI chatbots also excel at handling frequently asked questions, freeing up human agents to focus on more complex issues. With all that said, a human touch remains crucial. AI-generated content can sometimes come across as generic or mechanical. So, it's essential to use AI as a starting point and then add your personal touch to create engaging and authentic emails that'll boost your ROI. Pro tipProtect your property information: While AI is a powerful tool, it comes with a caveat—never include proprietary business information in AI prompts. Once it enters the AI system, it becomes part of the public domain. However, companies like Google are exploring ways to allow businesses to use AI with their proprietary data while maintaining security. The privacy laws reshaping email marketing AI and privacy has become a hot-button issue in recent years. While AI smoothes out many processes, it does raise questions about privacy, particularly how AI manages customer data. The main concern revolves around permission: Has the customer willingly shared their data with you?Does the customer fully understand how you use their data and are they happy with it?Is the customer reassured by how you protect their data? In response to these questions, there's legislation you must be compliant with. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set the tone by requiring explicit consent and empowering users to request data deletion. Now, Canada is following suit with its own privacy law, CASL, mirroring GDPR's principles. In the United States, the email marketing scene differs slightly, but change is on the horizon. Marketers must prepare for stricter privacy regulations, emphasizing the importance of obtaining explicit consent and respecting user preferences. But there is an upside. A more engaged subscriber base. When users provide explicit consent, they're signaling a genuine interest in your content, resulting in a more responsive audience. Plus, popular email service providers like MailChimp and ActiveCampaign offer GDPR compliance features to help you navigate these new regulations. » Want to get more out of MailChimp? Try these A/B testing strategies. The uncertain future of AI in marketing The hype around AI is undeniable, but is it sustainable? Some marketers wonder if AI will follow the same trajectory as previous industry buzzwords like the Metaverse or NFTs, which saw initial excitement but then faded. Truth is, AI is probably here to stay, and marketers must remain adaptable. New AI products and tools emerge regularly, so staying informed and flexible is key. Remember that AI is not here to replace tools such as social media platforms—it's there to optimize your workflows. And don't feel obligated to change your entire marketing strategy to accommodate AI if your current approach works. You're likely to get more out of AI when you use it as another tool in your tool belt. » Looking for marketing inspiration? Give these expert-approved books a try. What lies beyond: AI's bright horizons Email marketing remains a potent tool, and with the right strategies, it will continue to deliver results in the years to come. One of the best ways to navigate the evolving landscape of email marketing is to leverage AI wisely, remain adaptable, and stay up to date with changes, but don't feel obligated to use new AI tools if you don't need to. In fact, you can leverage AI without using it by collaborating with marketing experts who have mastered the best AI tools around. Mayple uses an AI-powered algorithm to match brands with marketing partners that are the right fit and understand your brand's needs. Ready to scale your brand?
email-spam-rate
Email MarketingEmail Spam Rates: Cracking the CodeEmail marketing is vital to modern business strategies, providing companies with an efficient and cost-effective way to reach their target audience. But you can't expect to run successful email marketing campaigns if you don't pay close attention to your email sender reputation and spam rates. So avoid sending unwanted emails to your mailing list, and join us is delving into the world of email spam rates from an email marketer's perspective: from the challenges email marketers face, to the consequences of high spam rates and strategies to reduce them, as well as the future of the email marketing journey in the ever-evolving landscape of digital communication. Let's do this! What is a high spam rate? In the case of email marketing strategy, a high spam rate is when a disproportionately large amount of your emails are getting sent to spam folders instead of people's regular inboxes. A high spam rate tells you that either you're not keeping content relevant to your audience, or your contact list isn't mostly made up of your target audience. The industry standard spam rate is less than 0.1%, or 1 complaint for every 1,000 sent messages. Anything above this level means your email sender reputation is on the line, as is your reputation as a brand. In other words, you need to reassess your email program – fast! Top factors that influence spam rates Sender reputation One of the most significant challenges for eCommerce email marketing is ensuring that their messages reach the intended recipients' inboxes. High spam rates can lead to deliverability issues, where legitimate emails end up in spam folders or are blocked entirely. This not only affects campaign success but also damages the sender's reputation. Email content Email content plays a significant role in influencing spam rates. The content of an email can impact whether it is classified as spam or delivered to the recipient's inbox. Email filters, including those employed by ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and email service providers, analyze various aspects of email content to make this determination. Spam reports Spam reports play a crucial role in influencing spam rates and email deliverability. When recipients mark an email as spam, it provides valuable feedback to email service providers and internet service providers (ISPs). These reports determine the sender's reputation and whether the email should be treated as spam.  Email frequency Sending too many emails can have a detrimental effect on spam rates and email deliverability. When email marketers send a high volume of emails without proper segmentation, targeting, and monitoring, they can fall into a spam trap. It creates a recipient overload and increases the likelihood of emails being marked as spam. Email design looks spammy Spammy-looking emails, characterized by certain visual and content elements that resemble common spam tactics, can significantly impact spam rates and email deliverability. Email filters and anti-spam algorithms are designed to identify and flag such emails to protect recipients from unwanted or malicious content. Unsubscribing (because of spamming) Unsubscribing from email lists typically has a positive impact on spam rates and email deliverability. When recipients use the unsubscribe button provided by legitimate email senders, it helps improve deliverability rates and reduce the likelihood of emails being sent straight to the junk folder. What happens if you have a high spam rate A high spam rate can lead to significant consequences and challenges for legitimate senders. These include even interested email subscribers not seeing your future emails, or worse, getting banned by email providers or slammed with legal fees or other repercussions. You want to make sure that your email marketing efforts are not making people regret ever giving you their email addresses, and beyond that, you want to convert them into potential customers who appreciate your brand and email communications. Prefer to have some expert help? Hire an email marketing consultant vetted by Mayple. We'll match you with the best one for your industry, in a matter of days! How to measure spam rate So now you might be wondering how to find out whether you've been sending too many spam emails to your list. Here's how to find out: SpamAssassin Score SpamAssassin is an open-source email filter used to identify and filter out spam or unsolicited emails. It assigns a "SpamAssassin score" to each incoming email, which indicates the likelihood that the email is spam. This score is also known as the "spam score" or "spam threshold." Complaints In the context of email marketing, "complaints" typically refer to when email recipients report or express dissatisfaction with the emails they receive from a particular sender. Options available via the email client are standard for spam complaints. These are a significant concern for email marketers, as they can have negative consequences for a sender's reputation, deliverability, and the overall success of email marketing campaigns. Email bounce rate An email bounce rate is a metric that measures the percentage of emails sent in an email marketing campaign that don't successfully reach the intended recipients' inboxes. Instead, these emails "bounce" back to the sender for various reasons, such as the recipient's email address being invalid, the recipient's mailbox being full, or the email server being temporarily unavailable. How to reduce your spam rate When it comes to cracking the code of reduced spam rates, let us delve deeper into what you can do to reduce your spam rate and ensure optimal email deliverability and reputation! Employ double opt-in verification Implement a double opt-in process, where subscribers confirm their subscription after signing up. This helps ensure that your subscriber lists genuinely want to receive your emails. Make sure everyone opted in over the last 12 months Consent Freshness: Subscribers who have opted in within the last 12 months are more likely to be active users who remember and recognize your brand and consent to receiving your emails. Their engagement is more recent, indicating they are active and interested in your content. Weed out inactive users who will likely end up hitting that spam button anyway.  Don't buy or exchange mailing lists Purchased email lists often contain email addresses of users who have not consented to receive emails from your organization. These recipients may have no prior knowledge of your brand, products, or services. Sending unsolicited emails to these people is highly likely to raise the percentage of emails reported from your campaigns, as well as lower engagement, and increase unsubscribe rates and spam complaints. Include a visible unsubscribe link Including a visible unsubscribe link in your marketing emails is not only a user experience best practice but is also a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, including the United States under the CAN-SPAM Act and in Europe under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Indicate how the contact got on your list Indicating how a contact got on your email list is an important aspect of transparent and ethical email marketing. Transparency and trust are key. Clearly communicating how a contact was added to your list builds trust with your subscribers. It shows that you are open and honest about your email marketing practices, which can lead to a positive perception of your brand. Send welcome messages A welcome message serves as a confirmation email to the subscriber that they have successfully subscribed to your email list. It reinforces their decision to join and confirms that their email address is valid. This can be part of a greater sequence of onboarding messages that preps folks for the kind of future messages they'll receive from you. Your emails should come from the same domain contacts signed up Emails that come from a different domain than expected can confuse and concern recipients. This may lead them to look for that spam button. Sending from the same domain that contacts signed up with minimizes the likelihood of spam complaints. Personalize and segment your communications Personalized emails and well-segmented lists are key to reducing spam rates in email marketing by enhancing the relevance and engagement of your emails. When subscribers receive personalized content that is tailored to their interests and needs, they are less likely to consider those emails as spam. Don’t send too many emails... Over-emailing your subscribers can lead to "email fatigue," where recipients become overwhelmed with the volume of emails in their inbox. As a result, they may start marking your emails as spam to reduce the clutter. This is where a feedback loop is incredibly helpful in moving towards a strategy where every single email you send is relevant to your audience. ...But also don’t send them sporadically If subscribers are not accustomed to receiving emails from you on a regular schedule, they may be more likely to mark sporadic messages as spam emails. Inconsistent sending can confuse or irritate recipients, prompting them to report your emails as unwanted. Regularly remove and reactivate inactive subscribers Inactive users who never open or engage with your emails can negatively impact your email list's overall quality. Sending to a large number of inactive recipients can lead to high bounce rates and a percentage of emails reported as spam. Mention the business name Including your business name in the "from" field or within the email content adds transparency and authenticity to your emails. This transparency helps recipients recognize your brand and understand the source of the email. Keep your emails relevant Relevant emails are more likely to be opened, read, and acted upon by recipients. When subscribers engage with your emails by opening, clicking, and taking desired actions, it sends a positive signal to email service providers (ESPs) that your emails are legitimate and valuable. The challenges of reducing spam reports Evolving spam tactics Cybercriminals are constantly developing more sophisticated phishing techniques. These can include highly convincing email content and fake websites designed to steal sensitive information. As phishing emails become harder to distinguish from legitimate messages, it can be more challenging to filter them out effectively. Lack of understanding of what spam is The ambiguity of the term: The definition of spam can vary depending on the context, jurisdiction, and individual perspective. Some may have a narrow view of spam, associating it only with illegal or malicious email, while others may not fully understand the broader concept of unwanted or irrelevant email. Evolving email marketing practices: The field of email marketing is continuously evolving, with new tactics and technologies emerging. What might have been acceptable email marketing practices in the past may no longer align with current best practices, leading to confusion. Lack of education: Some email marketers may not have access to comprehensive training or educational resources on best email marketing practices and spam regulations. They may not be aware of the potential consequences of spam-related activities. Some spam mimics legitimate emails Spammers may exploit legitimate email services to send their messages, making it more challenging for spam filters to block them. They can use compromised accounts or create free email addresses on well-known email platforms, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious senders. You've conquered spam rates! Email spam rates present significant challenges to email marketers. High spam rates can lead to deliverability issues, damage sender's reputation, reduce email engagement, and result in legal and financial risks. However, with the right strategies in place, email marketers can mitigate these challenges and navigate the evolving landscape of email marketing. Maintaining list hygiene, obtaining explicit consent, personalizing content, implementing authentication protocols, and complying with regulations are all essential components of reducing spam rates and improving campaign success. Moreover, email marketers must stay attuned to the changing landscape of email marketing, leveraging technology and best practices to remain effective in reaching their target audience. In the future, email marketing will continue to evolve, with AI, privacy, mobile optimization, and enhanced personalization playing significant roles in shaping the industry. Adapting to these changes and maintaining a commitment to responsible and relevant email marketing practices will be crucial for success in the years to come. Prefer to have some expert help? Hire an email marketing consultant vetted by Mayple. We'll match you with the best one for your industry, in a matter of days!
email vs sms marketing
Marketing strategySMS vs. Email Marketing—Which Channel Reigns Supreme?SMS messages have an open rate of 98%, while email marketing hovers at an average open rate of 20%. Now, imagine the impact of harnessing both SMS and email marketing. This kind of omnichannel marketing strategy is easier to pull off than you may realize. We'll look at the data-backed benefits of using this strategy and see how it can improve how you engage with and keep your customers. » Diversify your traffic to generate more leads with our omnichannel marketing guide. Meet the expert Yaron Been is a renowned growth coach and eCommerce entrepreneur, having built and scaled multiple 7-figure stores. He also hosts The EcomXFactor Podcast and has managed over $10 million in Facebook ad campaigns for various DTC brands. What is SMS marketing? SMS marketing is a straightforward way to connect with your audience through concise text messages. It's a direct and instant channel, delivering your messages right to their mobile phones without the need to navigate through inboxes. The personal touch of a text message ensures your updates, deals, or reminders get noticed promptly. What is email marketing? Unlike the speedy text vibe of SMS, emails give you a bit more space to tell your story, showcase products, and drop those clickable gems. This makes it ideal for building a more in-depth connection and delivering a bit more substance with each message. SMS vs. Email marketing: Pros & cons While both channels are valuable, SMS and email marketing have distinct characteristics. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of each. SMS marketing SMS marketing is a much more personal channel and is used to communicate on a much personal level with specific segments of your audience - such as your loyal and potentail customers. You can use it to send delivery updates, shipping notifications, as well as short-form promotional content. It has much higher engagement - 97% open rates, with 90% of messages read within 3 minutes, and a 45% response rate. However, it can quickly get annoying if overdone, and it's permission-based so you've got to be mindful of not bombarding folks. It also has a character limit so you gotta keep things short. ProsHigh open rates Immediate High engagement Compact and concise Mobile-friendly Higher deliverabilityConsCharacter limitPermission-based Costly Email marketing Email marketing is cost-effective, delivering rich content, segmentation, automation, and robust tracking. However, it can be challenging to stand out amidst crowded inboxes. This is where crafting attention-grabbing yet balanced content, fine-tuning segmentation, and deciphering analytics come in. They're all crucial components of a successful email marketing strategy. ProsCost-effective Rich content Segmentation Automation Tracking and analytics ConsLower open rates Must be optimized for mobile Delayed communication What to consider when combining SMS and email marketing strategies Email and SMS marketing play nicely together. Since many email marketing platforms offer both solutions within the same framework, it's pretty easy to implement. The key is to ensure they bounce off each other well, combining to form a more robust strategy. To do this, you can: Treat SMS and email as equals: It's best to treat email and SMS marketing as equals in your customer retention strategy. For instance, you can use both email and SMS in your automated email flows to keep customers engaged.Make your SMS messages stand out: With inboxes flooded by emails, SMS messages stand out. People aren't bombarded with SMS spam daily, making it a less crowded space for brands to capture attention.Understand the legal considerations: SMS marketing is sometimes overlooked due to potentially complicated legal considerations. But dismissing SMS marketing can be a big mistake, given its potential for excellent results. Brush up on the requirements like the CAN-SPAM Act to take advantage of SMS marketing. Comparing email and SMS marketing The choice between email and SMS marketing depends on the audience and your marketing goals. Email is generally better for speaking to and retaining a larger audience, while SMS is more personal and suited for engaging with the most loyal customers and specific audience segments. Combining both can be a potent strategy, depending on where customers are in their journey. Timing is vital to your SMS marketing strategy, as customers are less likely to return to the messages you send them. In contrast, email users tend to open messages when they can spare some time, making timing less critical. Understanding these differences will help you optimize your marketing strategies for each channel. Automation that sounds more authentic Automated email campaigns are beneficial for engagement but may not address the reasons behind a customer's decision. In contrast, SMS marketing, with its conversational approach, bridges the gap by providing a more human touch. Conversational SMS tools allow for immediate interaction, addressing customer queries, and building closer relationships with customers. This human element is crucial for turning undecided customers into promoters and, ultimately, increasing sales. Building trust and increasing sales The end goal is to connect with customers on a personal level, building trust and transforming them into promoters. While email marketing excels in reaching a broader audience and providing automated responses, SMS marketing, especially when conversational, adds the human touch necessary for addressing individual concerns and driving sales. The key is to find a balance and leverage the strengths of both channels to create a non-intrusive and engaging marketing strategy. Examples of SMS and email marketing in action Let's explore real success stories and smart strategies that businesses use to connect with their audience, increase conversions, and create lasting bonds through SMS and email marketing. Airbnb Airbnb meticulously tailors its email experience, strategically guiding users through sequences like their behavioral email series. Encouraging users to choose a continent, trip theme, and ideal home, the journey kicks off with an engaging subject line. Subsequent emails, personalized based on user preferences, unfold seamlessly. For example, if Europe is selected in the initial email, the next email beckons with "Your adventure in Europe awaits." This personalized progression extends to specific interests, shaping each email to reflect the user's unique preferences, such as a follow-up subject line like: "Ready to embark on a romantic adventure in Europe?" Airbnb's approach ensures a concise, yet highly customized, email journey for each traveler. Airbnb then uses SMS text messages for notifications such as reservation reminders, helpful tips to improve your trip, as well as promotions and tips. Airbnb also uses SMS for quick and cost-effective communication between hosts and guests. If a host hasn't responded to a booking request, Airbnb sends an automated SMS with guest details, requested dates, and pricing, facilitating a swift text-based response from the host. Sephora Sephora works its magic on each platform in its unique style. For instance, they use email for restock reminders and product recommendations. They then use SMS messages for things like appointment reminders, order tracking updates, and back-in-stock notifications. These messages are tailored to the customer's preferences, which means the client only receives specifically requested information. Sephora's strategy is all about meeting customers on the channel that's most convenient for them, making it easier to engage with their content and take the desired action. How to leverage email and SMS marketing for the holiday season The holiday season, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday, presents a unique business opportunity. However, with rising advertising costs and fierce competition, it's essential to strategize effectively to keep those conversion rates high. Rather than attempting to outspend larger competitors on advertising, consider doubling down on retention efforts through email and SMS marketing. Build anticipation: Creating excitement around your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals can be highly effective. Send out SMS messages and email marketing campaigns to inform your subscribers about upcoming discounts.Offer exclusive discounts: Instead of slashing prices only on these special days, consider offering exclusive discounts to your loyal customers beforehand. This can make your existing customer base feel valued and appreciated.Avoid the discount race: While matching competitors' steep discounts is tempting, it's not always sustainable. Be cautious about selling products at a loss. Some discounts advertised during this season may not be as substantial as they appear, so prioritize honesty with your customers. Remember, the holiday season is a prime time to engage with your existing customer base and strengthen brand loyalty. By strategically using email and SMS marketing, you can make the most of this busy shopping period without breaking the bank. » Discover the best eCommerce SMS marketing tools and strategies. Using SMS and email for cart abandonment recovery Conquering abandoned shopping carts in online retail is no easy task. SMS and email can help you tackle this challenge head-on by engaging customers across multiple touchpoints, thus increasing the chances of converting potential sales. SMS Send a friendly nudge: Shoot a quick SMS reminding customers about the items they left behind in their carts.Exclusive perks: Sweeten the deal by offering special discounts or incentives, making it hard for them to resist checking out. Email Detailed follow-up: Craft marketing emails with extra care, showcasing product recommendations and customer reviews, and reiterate why they should buy your product.Reinforce value: Email is an effective way to emphasize your brand's unique value proposition, building a stronger connection and trust with potential buyers. Loyalty program engagement You can also combine email and SMS in your loyalty program communication. SMS delivers real-time updates on loyalty points and exclusive offers, even celebrating milestones. Email, on the other hand, steps in with visually engaging content, showcasing program perks like member events and personalized rewards. SMS quick hits Instant updates: Keep loyalty program members in the loop with real-time SMS alerts on points, exclusive offers, and personalized messages celebrating their loyalty milestones. Email visuals Showcase benefits: Leverage the visual appeal of email to highlight the broader perks of your loyalty program, such as member-only events, early access, and personalized rewards. SMS vs. email marketing: Which one is right for your business? As you weigh the decision between SMS and email marketing, it ultimately boils down to what aligns best with your business's unique needs, goals, and understanding your customers. The decision-making process should be a reflection of your company's identity and the unique relationships you cultivate with your audience. The personalized approach of both ensures that your marketing efforts not only make sound business sense but also authentically align with the heart and soul of your brand. Email is better for long-form content, with lots of visuals and automation built in. It's great for automatic sequences, welcoming subscribers, and retargeting your customers. Text messages are best for short content, time-sensitive updates, and conversations. When you combine the two channels you're able to reach more customers with more effective messaging. For all its benefits, SMS marketing does have some disadvantages. Your message needs to be very short - you do not have much space. You can also overwhelm your audiences with unwanted texts. Make sure you get permission to send your SMS marketing campaigns and that you comply with all the privacy and data protection regulations out there.
retention-email-marketing
RetentionRetention Email Marketing: How & Why It WorksMost business owners have heard that it takes around 5-7 times more spending to gain a new customer than it does to retain an old one, which means that increasing your customer retention by a small margin can lead to much higher profits with a more predictable revenue stream. One of the best ways to engage your customers more with your product and build stronger relationships with them is to have a solid retention email marketing campaign in place. Meet the expert Jurgen Stojku has almost a decade of B2B and B2C marketing experience in many industries, including SaaS and eCommerce, and is currently the Head of Marketing for TinkerList.tv. The importance of customer segmentation Before retention emails, it was enough for marketers to send generic emails in mass volumes, but today's landscape is filled with so much competition that this is no longer adequate. With so many companies trying to steal clients from you, a single bad experience can lose you a customer permanently. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this; you have to get to know your customers, understand what they like and want, and learn how they behave so that you can personalize their experience and provide real value. Email remains the most important marketing technique with low cost and high potential, but you have to target the right customer. A mechanic doesn't want to receive emails about baking, and incorrect targeting can make customers unsubscribe or never purchase again. How to segment your customers The more data points you have, the better. Some good things to keep track of in e-commerce include: Purchase history (both the item choice and the purchase value)Cart abandonment rateTime spent on siteWhen and where they drop offLifetime value » Learn more about this with our marketing packages What to include in retention emails You should have a combination of promotional and informative content so that you are trying to provide value and answer questions alongside selling products. Start your email with pain points based on your segmentation data, and then introduce the value that your product offers, combined with a promotional deal. In e-commerce, discounts and exclusive offers work extremely well so long as you understand the segmentations. Consider these strategies for better retention: Discounts Find customers who have purchased a few products from you already, and then offer them a 10%-15% discount on similar products.Upselling Have a customer that just purchased a set of golf clubs from you? Send them an email with some complementary products, such as golf balls, tees, or even shirts.Cross-selling If you notice a customer abandoned their cart, send them an email informing them of similar products to what was in their cart. Maybe even attach a discount. Any of these strategies can help build brand loyalty and keep your customers coming back for more. How to time your retention emails There's no absolute answer when it comes to timing your retention emails and it depends largely on your customers' segmentation. It takes some intuition to figure out the best time for a particular email, but you should always try and target your customers the moment they need something. For example, let's say you are a fashion e-commerce brand. You won't want to promote summer swimwear to your customers in the middle of winter when they aren't interested, but sending your emails in the middle of summer might already be too late and you might have lost sales to other brands that timed it better than you. Instead, you should anticipate your customers' needs—in this case, swimwear for the approaching summer—and target them the moment they start thinking about summer, such as early spring. Once you've got a few hits, you can start pushing a little harder with other summer clothing items, such as sundresses or hats. Seasonal offers Don't forget about seasonal offers aside from summer! For example, tech brands should start promoting their Black Friday deals a month or two in advance to start building the hype and urging customers to save up for your premium deals. Year-round products Certain industries aren't necessarily bound by these seasonal rules, but there are still many factors that can determine the optimal timing for retention emails! For example, if you are a premium coffee brand, you can use customer data to identify the average time it takes for your customers to finish their supply and repurchase from you, then target them with emails as you get closer to the time, reminding them to refresh their supply instead of finishing it unaware and settling for the store-bought generics. The best part is that there are many services that can automate this process with the data you provide so that you never have to worry about missing an opportunity. The future of retention email marketing Many of the processes handled by people will eventually become automated and managed by AI. Especially with the state of the global economy and record-high interest rates, more and more businesses are realizing the benefit of retaining existing customers instead of spending extra money for the chance to obtain new ones. How AI will benefit merchants In time, automation will be able to streamline the entire process from customer segmentation to retention email marketing, making it far more efficient. It'll be able to refine the data you provide in order to create much more specific segments, which will lead to better personalization and the ability to provide your customers exactly what they want at the price they're willing to pay, enhancing your customer retention. Is retention email marketing worth it for smaller businesses? While it's important for businesses to spend some of their resources on acquiring new customers, this isn't always the best approach among smaller companies without a large pool of disposable funds. However, they should never neglect putting in the effort to retain their existing customers. Retention email marketing is worth it for all businesses, regardless of size, and can even be an effective strategy for acquiring new customers. Email marketing is more cost-effective and makes the process of convincing repeat customers to make additional purchases far easier than acquiring new ones. Additionally, promoting your business as a brand that advocates for community and relationships with their customers makes it far more likely that they'll advocate for you and convince their friends, family, and followers to check you out.
black-friday-email-marketing
Marketing strategy6 Black Friday Email Marketing Templates for 2024It goes without saying that Black Friday is one of the most important shopping events of the year. In fact, more than 50% of US shoppers plan to do their holiday shopping on Black Friday. This amounts to $30-40 billion in sales—of which $8.9 billion is spent online. So, the big question is: how do you get a slice of that? Email marketing is uniquely suited to help you make a big impact on Black Friday. You can simultaneously reach a wide audience while still maintaining a high level of personalization for each customer. Below, we list and discuss 6 free Black Friday email marketing templates to help you get started. 6 free Black Friday email marketing templates for 2024 Countdown to savingsExclusive sneak peek dealsFlash sale extravaganzaDoorbuster discounts galoreThanksgiving gratitude and offersVIP customer exclusive deals Template #1: "Countdown to Savings" This is a classic email template to use urgency as your strategy. You know the feeling: watching a ticking clock stirs up an instinctive sensation that time is running out and you must act fast. When you couple a countdown timer with appealing visuals, you have a formula for action. Pro tipDon't just send an email at the start of the countdown, but near the end, too. It's the final hurrah—the last little nudge to get customers to pull the trigger on the deal they've been considering. Sample text for "Countdown to Savings" Subject: The Countdown is On! 🕒 Don't Miss These Savings Hey [Customer's name], The biggest shopping day of the year is right around the corner. We want you to be in the front row, so here's your personal invitation to our Countdown to Savings event. [Add your offers. Include: Numbers wherever possible, like percentage discounts, BOGO, etc.High-quality photos of key itemsClear headlinesVisual separationColorful buttons to get the user to take action.] [Consider using a countdown app to insert a live countdown timer clock into the email.] [Button: SHOP NOW] Looking for more ideas other than email? Check out our guide to marketing on Black Friday. Template #2: "Exclusive Sneak Peek Deals" Customers want to know that they're valued. Offering exclusive sneak peeks is a great way to make them feel special. Plus, it also gets them excited and curious about what's coming up and how they can get in on the deals. Sample text for "Exclusive Sneak Peek Deals" Subject: Sneak Peek: A Special Deal Just for You, [Customer's name] Hey [Customer's name], As we approach Thanksgiving (not to mention one of the biggest shopping days of the year!), we want you to know we're thankful for you. That's why we're giving you an exclusive sneak peek at the deals you'll be getting this year. [Tease your deals. Include numbers: High-quality visualsClear headlinesVisual separationColorful buttons.] [Button: SHOW ME THE DEALS] Looking to extend your Black Friday promotion to Cyber Monday? Check out our guide to the best BFCM marketing ideas. Template #3: "Flash Sale Extravaganza" A flash sale is another way to create a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out). In a flash sale, you're offering a large discount for a short period of time to get your audience to act now. Sample text for "Flash Sale Extravaganza" Subject: Flash Sale Extravaganza: You Don't Want to Miss This 👀 Hey [Customer's name], Black Friday just got brighter! For a limited time, we're slashing prices on our most sought-after items. But don't blink, or you'll miss it. [Showcase the top products on sale with: Vibrant imagesOriginal pricesDiscounted prices Include brief descriptions that generate interest and highlight savings.] [Button: GRAB THE DEALS NOW] Template #4: "Doorbuster Discounts Galore" Doorbuster discounts get their name from the idea that the discount is so enticing that customers will "bust down the door" of your store to take advantage of the deal. Of course, since this is online, it's more of an e-doorbuster (or a screenbuster, perhaps). Regardless, the deal should be irresistible—something that's so exciting they simply can't pass it up. Pro tip Before you send, segment your email list based on past purchase behavior, preferences, or demographics. This allows you to offer several doorbusters to customers in each group, drastically boosting the likelihood of conversions. Sample text for "Doorbuster Discounts Galore" Subject: Doorbuster Discounts Galore: Deals You Simply Can't Pass Up Hey [Customer's name], How about exclusive savings without the usual scramble? Dive into our doorbuster offers—it's the rush, without the rush. [Highlight products with clear, straightforward visuals. Show the old price, neatly slashed, beside the fresh deal.] [Button: GET YOUR DOORBUSTER ] Template #5: "Thanksgiving Gratitude and Offers" We all love eating turkey, but Thanksgiving also presents big opportunities to connect with your customers and show how much you value them. Acknowledging your customers' importance to your business and offering them a special deal is a win-win situation: they feel appreciated, and you drive sales through enticing offers. Sample text for "Thanksgiving Gratitude and Offers" Subject: As Warm as Your Thanksgiving Stuffing 🥧 Hey [Customer's name], While families have their secret stuffing recipes and cherished traditions, we have our own way of giving thanks. It might not be edible, but it's crafted with the same love and appreciation. [Display the curated offers with elegant visuals, each telling a story of value and care.] [Button: DISCOVER OUR THANKS] Template #6: "VIP Customer Exclusive Deals" This template focuses on loyal customers: the ones who have been around for a while and consistently choose you over their competitors. In fact, many customers expect a little extra something from brands they're loyal to. Black Friday is a great time to give them VIP treatment. Sample text for "VIP Customer Exclusive Deals" Subject: Black Friday’s Finest, Reserved for You Hey [Customer's name], Through seasons and sales, one thing remains: your choice to stick with us. As Black Friday nears, we've curated something that mirrors your distinction. [Present deals with sharp visuals, focusing on their unparalleled appeal.] [Button: ACCESS YOUR VIP COLLECTION] » Remember to thank your customers for their purchase: Use a post-purchase email template. Utilizing templates for maximum impact It's critical that you customize any template as much as possible to make it unique to your brand and your audience. Try these tips: Add your company logo and branding, like colors, fonts, and imagery.Craft compelling subject lines that are short and sweet while still highlighting the key points of interest. For example, write numbers and offers clearly: "75% off all jackets, today only!"Use personalization as much as possible, including the customer's name in the body and subject line.Include a clear call-to-action with bold buttons to click to your website.Use high-quality photos and images so customers know exactly what they're getting.Leave your contact information at the bottom or in the footer, including email, phone number (if possible), and a link to a live chat if you have one. » Don't forget your preview text: Here's how to inspire more clicks. Email templates: Your secret weapon for Black Friday success Improve your email marketing for Black Friday with these versatile templates. From the urgency of "Countdown to Savings" to the exclusivity of "VIP Customer Exclusive Deals," tailor and optimize each template with personalized touches, captivating subject lines, and compelling visuals. Elevate your Black Friday game, making this year's event a sales and engagement triumph. » Explore these additional email marketing examples to improve ROI.
launching-a-new-product-line-with-email-marketing
Marketing strategyUltimate Guide to Launching a New Product Line With Email MarketingEmail marketing is an ROI goldmine, with studies showing an astonishing average of 3600%. This isn't just a figure but a testament to the unparalleled potential of email marketing in the digital communication sphere. And when it comes to product launches, reaching this level of engagement can be the difference between success and mediocrity. Below, we look at: Why you should use email to launch a new product lineHow to build an email list for your campaignHow to put an email marketing strategy together for your new product lineWhat to include in your email to your customersHow automation can make email marketing easier Meet the Expert Jameela Ghann is a seasoned online store owner with over a decade of eCommerce experience. Apart from running Alora Boutique, she's also the marketing manager for Fera Product Reviews. Why use email marketing to launch a new product line? An effective product line launch largely depends on building a buzz that deeply connects with your target audience. This is where email marketing truly shines. It's direct, personal, and, when executed correctly, proves to be incredibly effective. Email marketing offers the following benefits: Audience engagement: Email subscribers actively anticipate your updates so that you can establish direct communication with an attentive audience.Unique personal touch: Unlike social media, email allows for personalized product launches. You can build excitement, anticipation, and even loyalty by sending your subscribers sneak peeks and exclusive offers directly.Cost-effective: Unlike other advertising channels, email marketing enables you to reach a broader audience without extensive ad spending. » Follow these steps to create a successful email marketing journey. Effective strategies to build your email list Before launching your new product line via email, you need to build an email list. Studies predict that the number of email users is set to reach an astounding 4.73 billion users by 2026. This means that building a robust email list will work in your digital favor for years to come. However, you should focus on nurturing a community of engaged subscribers who genuinely connect with your brand. Here are ethical and effective strategies to help you grow your email list with high-quality leads: Building a loyal customer database: Add your existing customers to your email list. They're already familiar with your brand and more likely to engage with your emails.Lead magnets: Offer something valuable in exchange for email subscriptions. This could be a discount on the first purchase or a free downloadable resource like an e-book, recipe guide, or informative PDF related to your products or services.Opt-in forms and popups: Place opt-in forms and popups strategically on your website. These can trigger based on user behavior, such as scrolling or visiting specific pages. Ensure the popups are not intrusive but compelling enough to encourage sign-ups. Referral programs: Encourage your current subscribers to refer friends and family in exchange for discounts or rewards. Word-of-mouth referrals can be a powerful source of new subscribers.Content marketing: Incorporate opt-in forms within your blog posts and content. Readers will likely subscribe for further updates if your content is relevant to your products or services.Social media promotions: Leverage your social media presence to promote your lead magnets. Create engaging posts or reels that encourage users to subscribe in exchange for valuable content or secrets related to your niche. » Learn how you can improve email engagement. 4 steps to plan your product launch email marketing strategy Now, you need to focus on crafting your product launch email marketing strategy. This will be the compass that guides your journey to success. 1. Define clear goals Are you seeking customer feedback, creating buzz, generating user-generated content, or aiming for sales? Clearly defining your goals is essential to guide your strategy, help you measure success, and ensure your messages hit home. 2. Carefully select your KPIs Select the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will gauge the success of your product launch campaign. Will you track open rates, click-through rates, or specific purchase targets for your top customers? 3. Segment your email list Categorize your subscribers based on factors that align with your campaign goals. Consider elements like purchase history and engagement levels. Although demographics can be handy in certain cases, prioritizing segments directly related to your product launch objectives ensures a more targeted approach. 4. Create personalized content Tailor your email content and offers to each segment. Personalization maximizes engagement and helps you achieve your business objectives effectively. I truly can't overstate how much personalized content works wonders, with 71% of customers engaging better with tailored emails. Use smart tactics like geographic relevance for local appeal and past purchases for recommendations. These boost engagement and brand connection, especially during product launches. How to craft the perfect email for your product line launch Finally, you can compile the actual product launch email. Make sure to pay special attention to your subject lines, content elements, and storytelling elements. Come up with compelling subject lines The importance of email subject lines cannot be overstated, especially when optimizing your email marketing for product releases. Begin by creating intrigue to capture your subscribers' attention. Compelling titles like "Discover Seven Must-Try Styles" can pique interest and boost open rates. You can also leverage tailored messaging to show your audience you appreciate them. Address subscribers by their first name or reference their city to add a personal touch to your emails. Lastly, carefully using phrases like "for a limited time" can create a heightened sense of urgency, enticing recipients to take immediate action. Woolworths and Greeting Island use puns to promote their new seasonal products in email subject lines. WoolworthsSubject: Good… Better… Zest 🍊Greeting IslandSubject: Little Pumpkin on the Way? 🎃 Use the right content elements The potency of launching a new product via email lies in its content, and the best way to start is by making sure you're using the right elements. Here are some key email content elements you can use: Pre-header text: Pre-header text appears just below the subject line. Use it to provide additional context or tease the email's content, making subscribers more likely to open it.Strong call to action: Your email should have a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) button, such as "Shop Now." Make it easy for subscribers to take the desired action.On-brand content: Maintain consistency with your brand's style and messaging throughout the email. Subscribers should easily recognize emails from your brand.Dynamic content: Consider including dynamic content, like customer reviews or testimonials, especially if they showcase the product's appeal and popularity.Visuals: Include stunning visuals related to your product launch to capture attention and generate interest. Ensure your email design is visually appealing and on-brand. Zoom has recently introduced a new AI companion feature to its users. Subject: Introducing: Zoom AI CompanionPre-header text: Unlock your potential with our new AI assistant Create content that tells a story Stories resonate universally, connecting us through shared experiences, emotions, and aspirations. That's why storytelling is immensely impactful when done right. Here are some great tips to help you captivate your audience: Customer-centric storytelling: Tell your customers why you decided to create the product and how it solves their problems. Make them the heroes of your story.Language and emotional appeal: Use language that resonates with your target audience and highlights the emotional benefits of your product. Help your subscribers see why they should care about your product.Visual storytelling: Showcase your product in real-life scenarios. Visual storytelling helps customers envision themselves using your product. Include images or descriptions that evoke a connection with the product.Authenticity: Stick to your brand's authenticity and avoid making up stories. Use real stories that relate to your product's origin and purpose.Combining information and persuasion: Strike a balance between providing information about the product and persuading subscribers to take action. Organize your content logically and tell a compelling story. Grammarly places focus on the customer and the benefits they can get from using its premium service. How to use automation to streamline your product launch email campaigns You can use automation to maximize the impact of your email marketing campaigns. These strategies can help to ensure each subscriber is on a journey that aligns with their interests and behaviors: Welcome sequences: Set up an automated welcome series for new subscribers. It kickstarts engagement and maintains their interest in your product launches. Email marketing is a marathon, not a sprint, and nurturing leads from the get-go is key.Segmentation: Automate audience segmentation, ensuring seamless movement in and out of segments. Our email marketing packages include audience management resources to help you streamline this process.Abandoned cart recovery: Implement a robust automated abandoned cart recovery email sequence. Most email service providers offer this feature to help you recover these sales.Post-purchase interaction: Create automated post-purchase email sequences. Ask for reviews, provide care instructions for the purchased product, and engage your loyal customers. » Here's how you can create successful email campaigns with ChatGPT. Make the most of your product launch Launching a new product line is a pivotal moment, and email marketing can be your strongest ally on this journey. Every email sent is an opportunity to connect, engage, and convert. And with Mayple—your go-to for connecting with top marketing pros— you can make every email count.