Email marketing: Beginner’s guide to successful email marketing starting out.

Did you know that nearly 105 billion emails are sent each day and the figure is expected to rise to 246 billion by 2020? If you are like me, you are wondering why the huge number. Here’s the shocker: Are you aware that email marketing yields a return of 44$ per every 1$ spent? How on earth is this possible?

These two interesting statistics may have illuminated each other. Hence the saying “the money is in the list”. Even though email marketing has been in existence for long, its relevance cannot be swept under the carpet.

Are you just starting out and you have little or no idea about email marketing? Or you don’t know any reason why you should start sending the emails too? Or you’ve been curious for long but you don’t know how to get started?

In this post, I walk you through the core meaning of email marketing. Its myths and most noteworthy, how you can do it right. You will also find the step by step guide to choosing your email marketing service. You will discover how to grow your list and steer clear of the spam folder. The options available to you and also my recommendations. In conclusion, let’s just say that you will be fully empowered to make more money with email marketing.

If you are as excited as I am about email marketing, let’s dive in!

WHAT IS EMAIL MARKETING

Email marketing is a digital marketing strategy of sending prospective clients and clients targeted emails to build a thriving relationship with them and turn prospects into raving fans into a loyal customer.

[bctt tweet=”#Emailmarketing is a #digitalmarketing strategy of sending prospective clients and clients targeted emails to build a thriving relationship with them and turn prospects into raving fans into a loyal customer.” username=”Ola_osofowora”]

Most noteworthy, email marketing is not buying data from one company and bombarding your list with unsolicited messages. In fact, that is spamming. You must get recipient’s permission to send them emails.

Not only is buying list or adding people to your list without their permission ethically wrong. Also, it’s a waste of time.

Email marketing begins with you getting your subscriber’s permission to send them subsequent emails. This permission means the prospect is willing to entertain your opinions and is open to build a good relationship.

WHY EMAIL MARKETING?

Email marketing is super instrumental to your success for the following reasons:

IDEAL CUSTOMER’S EMAIL IS AN ASSET

In an online business, one of the most important records you can collect is an email list. An email list of your ideal client permits you to build a good relationship with your prospects. By having an email list, it is easier for you to build your know, like and trust factor.

[bctt tweet=” In an online business, one of the most important records you can collect is an email list. An email list of your ideal client permits you to build a good relationship with your prospects. By having an email list, it is easier for you to build your know, like and trust factor.” username=”Ola_osofowora”]

EMAIL MARKETING IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE MARKETING CHANNEL

We all know that the inbox is crowded but according to (BtoB Magazine) 59% of B2B marketers say email is their most effective channel for generating revenue. Most noteworthy, 80% of retail professionals indicate that email marketing is their greatest driver of customer retention.

EMAIL MARKETING HAS THE LARGEST REACH

Yes, Facebook has over 2billion monthly users. Twitter is also about 300 million; hence it is tempting to believe social media is everything. But according to Raditica, the total number of email accounts is well over 4.9 billion.

Imagine the possibilities when you can send targeted emails to the right people.

EMAIL MARKETING AFFORD YOU ATTENTION ON DEMAND

With social media marketing, you do not have attention on demand. You are at the mercy of algorithm on social media, therefore, you have little or no control.

Especially relevant is the fact that you get your subscriber’s attention anytime you want it with email marketing.

You aren’t wrestling with an algorithm and all with email marketing. Email marketing gives you direct access to your subscribers.

[bctt tweet=”You aren’t wrestling with an algorithm and all with #emailmarketing. Email marketing gives you direct access to your subscribers. ” username=”Ola_osofowora”]

EMAIL MARKETING HAS A HIGH ROI

In conclusion, with email marketing yielding a result of $44 over every 1$ spent in America and 38 pounds over every one pound spent in the UK, email marketing is the “in thing” for continuous revenue.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH EMAIL MARKETING

One thing tells me that you can’t wait to start enjoying the tremendous benefits that email marketing offers. Without further ado, let’s get right into it!

1.0 SET YOUR OBJECTIVES

Just like anything worth starting, I’m always an advocate of having objectives for your email marketing. In addition, setting objectives or goals gives you the much-needed focus.

Just as in your social media marketing; email marketing also needs targets.

It is common practice to set the following objectives for your email marketing

• Increase sales:

Email marketing fosters interaction hence the possibility of sales. By having people click on links to products, email marketing increases sales.

By sending your mailing list coupon codes and offers, the chances of a sale are higher.

In addition, email marketing could also drive traffic to your websites and e-commerce store. Especially relevant, the possibilities are endless with email marketing.

• Increase repeat business:

The last stage of content marketing is retention and most relevant, email marketing does a good job. By collecting data from customers, email marketing helps you motivate them to make a repurchase.

[bctt tweet=”The last stage of #contentmarketing is retention and most relevant, #emailmarketing does a good job. By collecting data from customers, email marketing helps you motivate them to make a repurchase.” username=”Ola_osofowora”]

If your clients haven’t been repeating business and your transactions seem one-off; email marketing is the way.

• Drive traffic:

Email marketing also serves as good traffic source to get people to visit your website over and over again. People can click links in your email to your website. Most noteworthy, you have a mechanism to convert the traffic.

Email marketing is all about nurturing a healthy relationship with your mailing list. It is most relevant that you have reasons for building the relationship.

Having decided on your objective(s), let’s pay a visit to the next step!

2.0 SELECT AN EMAIL MARKETING SERVICE

Email marketing services are services that collect subscriber’s email data and enable you to send and receive to/from your subscribers. Without this service, email marketing is not possible.

So let’s take a look at few ones:

Aweber

Aweber is one of the world’s largest email marketing services. It offers a wide range of tools such as list segmentation, autoresponder and excellent customer support service.

Pricing starts at 19$ per month and they also have 30 days free trial

MailChimp

MailChimp is another popular email marketing service that allows you use the service with an email list of 2000 subscribers for free.

They begin to charge you after you exceed the 2000 subscribers limit.

If you want to use the autoresponder tool and other advanced features, you have to migrate to paid plan starting at $10.

MailChimp is easy to set up and managed for people who are just starting out.

So if you are looking to start email marketing for free, MailChimp has you covered.

CONVERTKIT

Convertkit is an effective email marketing service for professional marketers. It is easy to set up and it is recommendable if you will need advanced features in the future.

Pricing starts at $29 monthly for 1000 subscribers monthly and becomes incremental.

GET RESPONSE

If you are looking for an email marketing service that offers you advanced A/B testing, search no more. Get response allows you to send targeted emails to segments.

It starts at $15 for 1000 subscribers and up to $799 for an enterprise.

ACTIVE CAMPAIGN

ActiveCampaign is email marketing software oriented more towards marketing automation. Based on the actions and behaviour of your subscribers, you can add tags to their profile that will reveal more about.

For 2,500 contacts, you will pay $73/month for the Small Business plan and $149/month for the Enterprise version.

SENDLANE

Sendlane is another email marketing service that has pretty impressive data and analytics. It is built to track details. With Sendlane, you can use the autoresponder, build landing pages, forms and automated marketing.

The plan starts at $25 for 1000 subscriber and they offer 14days free trial.

You may check out mailerlite, Infusionsoft and a host of other email marketing services to decide the best one for you.

3.0 GROWING YOUR LIST

You need a list of subscribers to get started with email marketing. At Influential Business Solutions, we do not recommend buying list from a data company. It is counterproductive and people who didn’t opt into your list won’t buy from you.

[bctt tweet=”You need a list of subscribers to get started with email marketing. At Influential Business Solutions, we do not recommend buying list from a data company. It is counterproductive and people who didn’t opt into your list won’t buy from you.” username=”Ola_osofowora”]

Hence, one of the fastest ways to have low open rate is to buy list. Most relevant, you need people’s permission before you add them to your list.

In addition, if they do not opt in, they are most likely not interested in your products or services.
Most noteworthy, get people’s permission!

HOW TO GET PEOPLE’S PERMISSION EFFORTLESSLY

I. Use Opt-in forms

If you have a website or a blog, you can use opt-in forms to collect your reader’s email details. This we do here at Influential Business solutions with opt-in after every post and on most pages.

By offering your reader distinct promises that address their needs or help them achieve an objective, opt-in converts.

For opt-in forms to convert, it must have the following:

• A captivating headline that catches reader’s attention
• Specific promise(s) of result that your readers need
• Good description- your description must sell why readers should opt into your list
• A strong call to action- your call to action must get people to take action immediately.
  Beautiful visuals that are appealing.

Opt-in forms can be anywhere on the website but the common places are the header, footer, sidebar and some comes as pop up forms.

P.S- Most noteworthy, if you are yet to opt into our mailing list, you are missing out on actionable strategies to grow your influence. Opt-in now!

ii. Offer free lead magnet

Most noteworthy, lead magnets are also ethical bribes that people collect in exchange for their emails. The best way to grow your list is to offer something for free. People like free things; especially those that help them get the desired result. Hence, they give their email info in exchange.

Most noteworthy, that you offer something for free does not guaranty good opt-in rate. Your lead magnet will flop if it does not address needs or offer value.

Also, email marketing is about building a thriving relationship; your lead magnet plays a huge role.

Here are some considerations to create the perfect lead magnet:

• It is valuable –your lead magnet must contain information that your audience wants to consume. Also, it must be actionable for them to put it to use and enjoy the tremendous result.
• Should be easily consumable – email marketing leads that perform optimally are easily consumed. A lead magnet of 300 pages will most likely remain unread. Keep it short and simple.
• It consolidates your expert status –also, your email list magnet must be relevant to your niche and field. Also, it solves at least a problem.

Some popular lead magnet for your email marketing includes

• An eBook
• A free webinar
• An audio recording
• A short illustration video
• A case study or white paper
• Free trial and coupon

Regardless of your lead magnet, most relevant is the fact that your lead should help your audience.

4. SEGMENT YOUR EMAIL LIST

List segmentation means sorting your email list into special categories. It is sorting your list based on customer’s preferences, interest, location, open rate, inactivity and lead magnet.

List segmentation is important to send targeted emails to the right audience. Email marketing isn’t a one way fit all marketing strategy. Therefore, the same email won’t resonate with everyone.

With list segmentation, you can categorize your list for maximum opportunities.

List segmentation increases your open rate as you would be sending laser targeted emails.

Also, your unsubscribe rate will also be drastically reduced by segmenting.

I wonder what you are doing if your email marketing list isn’t segmented.

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5. IMPROVING YOUR OPEN RATE

Finally, you are here. Email marketing that seems incomprehensible to you is now yours for the taking. After segmenting your list, you are now set to start sending messages. But, stay with me till the end.

While the possibilities are endless, most important is your open rate. If your messages are not read, they are typically useless and a waste of time.

So how do you improve your open rate?

• Avoid the spam folder like plaque – If you are able to avoid the spam folder, you are one step closer to having your message read.
• To avoid the spam folder, you have to send emails from trusted I.P address.
• Also, you have to avoid some words like “donate”, “free”, “buy”, and a host of other words. Check out a list of
• You also have to keep your mail graphics moderate.
• Target the perfect time – It is a popular belief that Mondays are the best time to send emails. While there are many schools of thought to this; no single day of the week wins outrightly.
• In addition, send your emails at an appropriate time that offers higher chances of being read.
• Tuesdays at 10 pm is another time for you to consider according to.

Remove inactive subscribers

As you grow, you will begin to house inactive subscribers. These people will reduce your open rate, hence the need to remove them. Keep your list fresh at all time and segment your list appropriately.

Carry out A/B testing

Also, test out headlines to decide with fact, the most converting headline. With A/B testing, you are able to test out different headlines to help you pick the best.

• Use headlines that break through your audience busyness. Your headline must get your audience to read your mail almost immediately. Use numbers but avoid clickbait titles.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this is just a beginner’s guide.

Have you started using email marketing? Do you have any question or challenges getting started? Let me know in the comment below.

Also, we have a facebook community – Influential Business Network where we get close and personal to help you dominate with digital marketing. Join us now.