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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Marketing strategyHow to Create Impactful Email Marketing NewslettersEmail marketing is a powerful tool, but how do you create newsletters that truly make an impact on your audience? Below, we dive into the strategies and techniques you can use to craft compelling email marketing newsletters that engage your subscribers and drive results.
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.
1. Start with content
The foundation of impactful email marketing newsletters is content. Understand what your audience wants and what resonates with them. Use A/B testing to determine the language and tone that resonates with your subscribers and optimize your email content accordingly.
You should also regularly analyze your email metrics, such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions, to gauge the effectiveness of your newsletters. This data-driven approach will help you continuously improve and deliver valuable content that engages your audience.
2. Craft punchy subject lines
The subject line is your one-second hook in the inbox. That's why you want to create short, attention-grabbing subject lines that entice recipients to open your email. Avoid deception; your subject line should accurately represent the email's content to foster and retain trust.
3. Ensure skimmability
When reading emails, most people start with the call to action first, and if it resonates, they'll go back and read the entire thing. So, make your content skimmable by using headers, bullet points, and concise paragraphs. A well-structured email enhances the reader's experience and improves their chances of fully understanding and retaining the information you're trying to convey.
» Need help creating content? This guide might be of help.
4. Customize imagery
You should also tailor your email's imagery to your audience's preferences. Some may respond better to lifestyle images, while others prefer product-focused visuals. The point is to adapt your visuals to align with your subscribers' expectations to create a more personalized and engaging experience for your audience. Plus, the more tailored and relevant your imagery is, the stronger the connection you can build with your subscribers.
5. Watch your tone and language
Consider your audience and industry when determining the tone and language of your emails. Again, skimmability is crucial, so avoid lengthy, complex sentences and consistently match your tone to your brand's voice. Of course, you may need to use industry-specific jargon if you're in the B2B space, but you can still do so without creating 40-word long sentences.
» Want to write better email preview texts? Start here.
6. Create a sense of urgency
Drive action by creating urgency in your emails. Use email engagement tactics like limited-time offers or countdowns to encourage immediate action from your subscribers. Another effective way to create urgency in your emails is by highlighting the scarcity of a product or service.
Emphasize that there are only a limited number available or that the offer is exclusive to a certain time period. This will motivate your subscribers to take action quickly before they miss out on the opportunity.
7. Balance promotional and informational content
Strike a balance between promotional and informational content. Offer value beyond your products or services. Share helpful tips, guides, or industry insights to engage your audience.
» Speaking of guides, this one will teach you all you need to know about email audits.
8. Optimal email frequency
There's no one-size-fits-all answer for email frequency. It depends on your audience and content. The most important thing is to maintain consistency; subscribers come to expect emails at specific times. Avoid overwhelming them with too many emails in a short period, though, and be mindful of not sending too few emails so that they forget about your brand. Finding the right balance is key to keeping your subscribers engaged and interested in your content.
» Here's how to figure out how many emails you should send per month
Common mistakes to avoid
Sending multiple emails on the same day with disjointed topics: If you're running multiple initiatives at the same time, be very careful that you're not running on the same day as another campaign.Putting subscribers into a funnel and just letting them funnel run: To avoid this, carefully schedule drip campaigns to complement your regular email schedule.
Unlock the power of email marketing
Implementing these strategies and avoiding the common mistakes we mentioned can go a long way to enhancing your email marketing efforts and can help achieve better results. It all comes down to understanding your audience, crafting compelling content, and most importantly, being consistent.
Ready to scale your marketing campaigns?
Marketing strategy7 Expert Techniques to Increase CTR for Your Email Marketing CampaignEmail marketing remains a powerful tool in the digital marketer's arsenal, but its effectiveness hinges on one crucial metric: the click-through rate (CTR). Your CTR is a direct indicator of how effectively your email content captivates recipients and motivates them to take action. Let's delve into some strategies that you can use to boost your CTR and enhance your email marketing campaigns.
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.
1. Streamline your call to action (CTA)
Your CTA button is the linchpin of your email. It's the gateway to conversions, whether that's making a purchase, visiting your website, or downloading content. To maximize CTR, avoid cluttering your email with multiple CTAs leading to different destinations. This dilutes your message, and it looks messy.
Instead, focus on one primary CTA and, occasionally, a secondary one for crucial actions. For example, if you're running a petition site that's also seeking donors, differentiate your CTAs by using distinct colors for each one and emphasize the primary CTA by placing it front and center of your email.
2. Craft compelling subject lines
To drive higher CTR, you need to get people to open your emails first, and crafting compelling subject lines is the initial step. Here's how you can do that:
Use a strong hook: Consider what makes your email relevant to your audience and why they should open it. Use that as inspiration to come up with a strong hook that'll compel people to go on your email marketing journey.Consider using personalized subject lines: These can be effective at grabbing the recipient's attention and making them feel like the email was specifically crafted for them.Incorporate urgency or curiosity: This can also help create a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) and encourage people to open your email right away.
3. Hook readers instantly
Most people usually decide within the first 10 to 15 seconds whether to continue or abandon your email. In B2C scenarios, showcasing a captivating image or lifestyle representation of your product can hook them.
For B2B, consider greeting each recipient by name and follow that with your hook line—a sentence or two about what to expect. You should also break down especially long emails into digestible sections with clear headers.
4. Use A/B testing
A/B testing is your best friend for optimizing email campaigns. Start by testing subject lines to determine which ones resonate with your audience. Experiment with send times, especially if you have a global audience, to find the optimal delivery window.
When testing content, focus on changing one element at a time to pinpoint what impacts CTR. For instance, if you're testing a CTA button, just test the CTA button. Don't change your text or anything else.
5. Monitor key metrics
While CTR is crucial, it's not the only metric to watch. Monitor open rates, click rates, and unsubscribe rates to gauge overall campaign health. An increase in unsubscribes might indicate a mismatch between your content and audience interests. Keep up a net positive by engaging the subscribers who genuinely value your content.
6. Utilize unsubscribe insights
Many email service providers offer options for subscribers to explain why they're unsubscribing. Leverage this valuable feedback to refine your email content and strategy. Additionally, consider using archive lists to keep unsubscribed contacts' engagement history in case they decide to re-subscribe.
7. Analyze engagement patterns
You should also dive into engagement patterns to understand why subscribers leave. Evaluate contact ratings to track how often individuals interact with your emails. If a long-time subscriber suddenly unsubscribes, investigate the reasons behind their decision and see if any recent changes in your email content or frequency may have contributed to their disengagement.
How to increase your CTR?
There are several ways to improve your CTR and subsequently enhance your email marketing campaigns. Impactful strategies include optimizing your CTAs and subject lines, hooking readers with compelling content, and leveraging key insights to improve your emails.
A combination of these and other strategies mentioned in this guide can go a long way to fine-tune your approach. Ultimately, a well-crafted email that resonates with your audience will lead to higher CTRs and better overall campaign success.
And who does email marketing better than skilled and experienced pros? You can easily find and hire the best of the best with Mayple, knowing that they're vetted and possess the skills you need.
Marketing strategyWhat Is an Email Audit? Expert Insights on How It Can Help Your BusinessIn digital marketing, staying ahead of the curve isn't just a preference—it's a necessity. Email marketing, a timeless tool in a marketer's arsenal, continues to drive business growth. But like any tool, your email marketing strategies need to be sharpened. This is where email audits come into play.
An email audit involves looking closely at all the emails you've sent to your subscribers and assessing how well they've performed. This will help you understand what's working and what isn't.
An email audit typically involves:
Reviewing your email content and design to make sure it still aligns with your goals and brand identity.Checking open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to check how effective your emails are.Organizing your email list into different segments based on their behavior to send more targeted emails.Making sure your emails comply with relevant laws and regulations.Removing inactive or unsubscribed subscribers.Adjusting your email marketing strategy based on the insights gained from the audit.
The term "email audit" often raises questions about how it differs from a regular analysis. To clarify:Email analysis provides a snapshot of your current email performance. It's a one-time look at how your emails perform at a specific moment—open rates, sales, and customer engagement.Email audit delves deep into the entire email process and its role in your business strategy. It's about understanding the big picture and optimizing your email strategy accordingly.
Below, we look in more detail at how to approach an email audit, what role data plays, how to implement email audit recommendations, and common challenges you may encounter.
Meet the expert
Aaron Parnes has 16 years of online marketing experience. As the founder and president of Razor Clicks, he specializes in helping customers develop cutting-edge marketing strategies to effectively reach their target audience and run profitable operations.
3 questions you should be able to answer after an email audit
If you haven't done an email audit before, it may seem daunting. To get you started, here are 3 key questions you should be able to answer once you've done your email audit:
Frequency: How often do you send emails?Open rates: How deeply do your customers interact with your emails?Loyalty: How often do your customers buy through your emails?
These questions center around if you send your emails frequently enough and if your customers even interact with them when they get them—both just opening the email and buying from it.
Frequency: How often do you send emails?
The optimal email-sending frequency is a nuanced matter that depends on the size of your email list. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
The key is maintaining a consistent presence in your customers' inboxes while continually striving for improvement.
While a visually appealing design and a well-thought-out layout are undeniably important for engaging customers and encouraging their response, keeping things in perspective is crucial. Often, companies get caught up in the pursuit of perfection, working on every detail of content and design.
Here's the reality: It's far better to send out an email, even if it doesn't have a perfect design, than not to send one at all. Inaction can be a significant setback.
For smaller email lists with limited subscribers, sending emails too frequently can overwhelm the same individuals with content. In such cases, scaling down and sending emails a few times a month is advisable.
Open rates: How deeply do your customers interact with your emails?
In your quest to determine how deeply and frequently your email list engages with your content, you need to analyze your open rates. However, there's a twist—Apple introduced privacy settings that disrupt how we interpret these rates. They no longer provide data on "privacy opens," making it challenging to gauge actual open rates accurately.
"Privacy opens" occurs when Apple's system pre-opens an email without confirmation of user interaction. We can't be certain if the user genuinely engaged with the email. Instead, we have to rely on more reliable indicators of list quality and engagement:
Are they actively clicking on the content?Do they revisit the email multiple times?Are they forwarding or sharing it with others?Do they take the desired action—visiting the website—after encountering an email?
Loyalty: How often do your customers buy through your emails?
Another crucial aspect of the email audit is your company's email process. This encompasses your emails' content, how you execute your email campaigns, and the overarching strategy governing how you send emails. To gauge the effectiveness of these elements, you need to examine their performance closely.
This includes checking the repetitive rates, an essential metric that reveals how frequently your customers purchase through your email campaigns.
Is it a recurring pattern throughout the year, or do customers return multiple times over their lifetime with the company?
These insights help you understand the immediate impact of email marketing on sales and its long-term influence on customer engagement and loyalty.
» Here's how retention email marketing can help boost customer loyalty
Data analysis: The backbone of email audits
To help you answer the above questions, you have to become best friends with data. It gives you invaluable insights into your email campaigns' impact on revenue. So, a crucial metric you should consider is the percentage of revenue your business generates from email marketing.
While a rule of thumb suggests aiming for 1 out of 4 of your sales to come from email marketing, the ideal number depends on your business's nature.
You can't expect the same revenue for a one-time purchase product like electronics and for a product used daily that needs to be replaced much sooner, like skincare.
The data you analyze from the audit translates into actionable recommendations, helping you make informed and strategic decisions.
Cheat sheet: How to implement email audit recommendations effectively
After completing your email audit, you should embark on a structured journey. We've formulated a mnemonic, "Cash is King," to encapsulate the essential steps for you to follow to implement your email audit recommendations effectively. While "King" isn't part of the acronym, the six letters that form "Cash is" are a compass for companies to navigate this process:
C - CollectionA - AutomationS - SchedulingH - HygieneI - InboxingS - Segmenting
This formula ensures a methodical approach, progressing from easier to more challenging tasks. We begin with straightforward actions, such as adjusting domain settings to optimize deliverability. As you gain momentum, you can delve into designing and implementing additional email campaigns, developing a robust calendar strategy, and refining automated workflows that engage customers based on their unique interactions and behaviors.
Cross your T's and dot your I's: Making sure your emails are compliant
Apart from your email's content, it's equally important to make sure it meets all the necessary legal requirements. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) reigns supreme in Europe. It requires that you obtain clear and explicit permission from each contact for every interaction your company initiates.
Modern email service providers (ESPs), like MailChimp and Klaviyo, have stringent policies. They not only encourage but demand compliance with the law. As a result, violations are rarely an issue when using reputable ESPs.
Common challenges in email marketing
Successful email marketing requires overcoming several common challenges:
Perfection paralysis: Striving for perfection can delay campaigns. It's often better to send out emails regularly, even if they're not perfect.Decision-making bottlenecks: Too many decision-makers can lead to indecision. Streamlining the process is crucial for efficiency.Development delays: Relying heavily on development work can slow down email marketing efforts. Modern ESPs make email marketing more accessible, reducing the need for constant development.
A glance into the future of email marketing
While artificial intelligence (AI) is a buzzword across various industries, its tangible impact on email marketing remains somewhat elusive. AI's role in email marketing extends to text generation and generating subject line ideas, with limited applications beyond that. AI's transformative potential in email marketing remains largely untapped.
On a different front, SMS marketing is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. However, integrating SMS effectively with email marketing is critical. Many ESPs recognize this synergy and are actively merging SMS capabilities into their email marketing platforms. The future might see a harmonious approach—sending emails alongside SMS reminders, creating a seamless and effective omnichannel marketing strategy.
Take your first email audit steps with Mayple
Email audits aren't just a necessary tool— they're a compass guiding your email marketing journey. By regularly evaluating and adapting your strategies, you can continue to harness the power of email marketing to drive your business forward.
If you need a partner to help you tackle the first round of email audits, Mayple can find you the right email marketing expert:
We use an AI-powered Perfect Matching algorithm to link you with a vetted expert.You get a dedicated campaign manager to see you through the process.Our tools automate payment, admin, and other processes.
Marketing strategyGoogle Bard Marketing: What to Expect in the Future of AI MarketingWith AI in your arsenal, your business's marketing strategy is about to get faster, more global, and more accessible than ever before. Google Bard is constantly expanding its technology, including key updates to available languages, real-time data integrations, and even more nuanced language processing. Let's take a look at what the future holds with Google Bard marketing.
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.
What is Google Bard?
Google Bard, a powerful AI language model, is making waves in marketing and content creation. Like ChatGPT, it draws its strength from extensive training on vast datasets of text and code. Let's take a closer look at Google Bard's capabilities:
Natural language processing: Bard can understand and generate human language, including text, code, and speech. You can analyze customer data, such as purchase history, browsing behavior, and email engagement, to identify customer preferences and interests. This information can then be used to generate personalized email marketing campaigns. Personalization: With access to current data, such as a customer's purchase history, browsing behavior, and interests, Bard can assist in personalizing marketing campaigns for different customer segments. For example, it can write ad copy recommending shoes to a customer who has recently browsed the shoe category on your website.Predictive statistics: Bard can help businesses identify trends, forecast demand, and assess risk.
It can identify which products are most popular during different times of the year and forecast demand for new products based on customer browsing behavior. Real-time data access and integration: Bard can access and integrate real-time data from the internet and Google services—even your own Google suite like Docs, Mail, and Drive—which gives it some advantages over other AI models. For example, it can use data from YouTube to generate a blog post about the latest trending videos or use real-time data from Google Maps to generate a personalized travel guide for a user.
» Speak directly to customers at scale with the ultimate guide to personalization.
How will Bard impact the future of digital marketing?
Global reach through multilingual content
Google Bard has over 40 languages in its global toolbox and continues expanding its offering. So, you can simply plug text in and quickly localize your copy in any available language. This is essential in today's globalized market, where businesses need to be able to reach customers all over the world, regardless of their native language.
When customers can effortlessly navigate your website and engage with marketing materials in their native language, it fosters a sense of comfort and confidence in making purchases. This, in turn, can boost sales and enhance overall customer satisfaction. What's more, by localizing your business, you show that you are committed to serving customers in all markets, which has knock-on effects on brand reputation and customer acquisition.
Conversational AI for enhanced customer interactions
Bard is also an excellent tool for customer service through conversational AI integrations like chatbots. It can answer customer questions submitted via email or chat, and it's always learning, so it gets better at it all the time. It can analyze a customer query, determine its intent, and generate an appropriate response. This can help businesses provide quick and accurate customer support, which is essential for customer satisfaction.
AI-powered analytics for data-driven insights
Google Bard is transforming the analytics landscape by making data-driven insights more accessible and actionable. AI integration with platforms like Google Analytics allows you to ask natural language questions to get specific insights, reducing the need for manual data analysis and enabling faster decision-making.
This can help with tasks such as segmentation, identifying trends and patterns, and predicting future outcomes like customer churn, sales trends, and the impact of marketing campaigns.
Efficiency and creativity enhancement
Google Bard's automation capabilities can streamline marketing operations, allowing you to focus on strategic thinking and creative pursuits. This improves overall efficiency and creativity within your marketing team.
Bard can generate new ideas for marketing campaigns, product launches, and content creation and personalize marketing messages and experiences for individual customers.
» Learn how to write PPC ads that convert with these handy ChatGPT scripts.
Challenges and limitations
Although AI continues to develop every day, it's important to keep its limitations in mind as you make strategic business decisions that may have a lasting effect down the line.
Reliability and fact-checking
It's best to keep in mind that Google Bard's responses may not always be completely accurate. You should view its output as a starting point and conduct thorough fact-checking. Producing inaccurate content may only hurt your website's rankings down the line. Use the built-in "Google it" feature to assist in identifying reliable information.
Bias in data and output
Google Bard learns from the internet, which can introduce biases into its content. This means that the content generated by Bard may reflect the biases present in the data it has been trained on.
It's important to be aware of the potential for bias in Bard's output and take steps to mitigate it. For example, you can review Bard's output carefully and make necessary edits. You can also provide Bard with more diverse and representative data to train on.
Human involvement and expertise
AI-generated content is not a standalone solution. Human input remains essential, so dedicate time to editing and improving the content. When AI is part of the marketing process, human reviewers will likely be needed to guarantee quality.
Putting Google Bard to the test: A competitor analysis case study
I recently used Google Bard to streamline and optimize aspects of my marketing strategies, and I found an interesting prompt that inspired me to explore Google Bard's potential for competitor analysis further.
Step 1: Mobile-friendly analysis
I asked Bard to evaluate the mobile-friendliness of a competitor's website, allure.ca. I also wanted it to identify areas that needed enhancement. The AI swiftly provided insightful output.
Step 2: Identifying images to resize
I then wanted clarity on image size optimization. Bard's great at giving detailed responses, and I followed that up with a prompt to identify the specific images that needed resizing.
Step 3: Image optimization
Bard not only pinpointed the images but also recommended the ideal image resolution, suggesting resizing to 1920x1080 pixels.
This example shows how handy and budget-friendly Google Bard can be for marketing. Small business owners and marketers can use AI to make their websites better without the need for extensive consulting or specialized expertise, which often comes with a hefty price tag.
» Want to keep an eye on your competition? Check out our competitor analysis explainer.
How to stay up to date with the latest Google Bard trends
AI is constantly in flux, and some people and businesses make it their work to stay at the bleeding edge of these updates. To stay competitive, you should be, too. Here's how:
Join Reddit communities: Engage in discussions on the Google Bard subreddit, where you can gain insights and updates from the community.Check Google Bard updates: Bookmark this page for authoritative information and announcements directly from Google.Participate in LinkedIn Groups: Join relevant LinkedIn groups, but be mindful of self-promotion. These groups often host valuable discussions and updates related to Google Bard.Conduct online research: Conduct Google searches to discover articles, blog posts, and discussions offering tips, best practices, and prompt suggestions.
Google Bard Marketing: What lies ahead?
Against an AI-dominated landscape, you've got to keep an eye on the future, especially as AI continues to accelerate change. Let's look at some potential future enhancements.
Plugin and app marketplace: Google Bard is gearing up to broaden its plugin and app marketplace. This expansion will transform Google into a versatile assistant, offering an extensive range of integrations and tools.Enhanced integrations: Expect tailor-made integrations designed specifically for marketing needs. For instance, Google Ads integration will likely become more robust, simplifying marketers' advertising efforts.Increased free options: Google is set to continue offering free options for users. These cost-effective tools can be invaluable for marketers looking to boost their campaigns without breaking the bank.Data privacy concerns: As is often the case with tech giants, data privacy concerns may linger. Keep a watchful eye on how your data is used, remaining prepared for ongoing discussions about data security and privacy in the digital marketing landscape.
It's an exciting time for the joint power of marketing and AI. With Google Bard, you have a powerful tool to increase efficiencies, yield data to make informed strategic decisions quickly and improve how you communicate with your audience.
Marketing strategyNonprofit Organizations: Using Email Marketing to Forge RelationshipsNonprofit organizations play a pivotal role in addressing various social, humanitarian, and environmental challenges. Their effectiveness largely depends on building strong relationships and maintaining clear communication with donors, volunteers, and supporters. Email marketing emerges as a powerful tool in their arsenal.
The nonprofit industry boasts an email open rate of 25.17%, surpassing the average of 21.33% for other industries. This statistic alone underscores the potential of email marketing for nonprofits. Today, we'll explore strategies to leverage nonprofit email marketing for growth.
Understanding your nonprofit target audience
To thrive, nonprofits need to engage with diverse groups of donors, volunteers, advocates, and beneficiaries. To truly be successful, they must intimately understand their target audience. This entails grasping who each group is, their motivations, interests, and needs. This is why the most successful nonprofits use audience segmentation strategies in their email marketing campaigns. Segmentation ensures that each group receives tailored content that resonates with them.
Email marketing categories for nonprofits
Nonprofits can choose from a variety of email marketing categories, each with a unique purpose and potential for different audience types. These categories include:
Newsletters: Regular updates that keep supporters informed about your nonprofit's latest activities.Fundraising campaigns: Emails that drive donations and increase nonprofit revenue.Event invitations: Invitations to events, fundraisers, or volunteer opportunities.Drip campaigns: Automated series of emails to nurture relationships and guide potential donors.Surveys and feedback requests: Emails that gather insights and feedback from supporters.Membership renewals: Reminders to renew memberships and continue supporting the cause.Impact stories: Stories that illustrate the tangible impact of donors' contributions.Educational content: Information and resources related to your nonprofit's mission.Company announcements: Updates on organizational changes or achievements.
This list merely scratches the surface of possibilities for communicating with your target audience. With well-timed emails, you can engage with these crucial stakeholders, share updates, convey impact, and inspire action.
» Looking for inspiration? Explore some of the best email marketing examples
How to develop a marketing plan for nonprofit organizations
Creating a well-defined marketing plan is essential for nonprofit organizations. There's no single right way to develop one, but there are some key concepts and guidelines that can help:
Define Your Goals
This can include increasing donations by a certain dollar or percentage amount, raising awareness, and growing membership.Identify Your Target Audience
Determine the key stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, supporters, and advocates.Choosing Email Marketing Categories for Each Audience
Decide which email categories will be most impactful for each group. For instance, donors may respond well to impact stories.Set a Schedule
Establish a consistent email schedule with occasional one-off emails for special announcements and events.
Pro tip:Consider using a physical calendar to stay organized, similar to this:
» Looking for a head start? Check out our ultimate marketing plan template to streamline your nonprofit's success.
Structuring effective nonprofit email marketing campaigns
To craft compelling emails, follow a general email marketing structure that includes:
A header with your nonprofit's logo and branding.Clear and concise body content with visually separated headers and sections.Call-to-action (CTA) buttons that entice readers to take desired actions.Contact information and social media links for further connection.
In this example, Autism Speaks checks off all the boxes for a Giving Tuesday campaign.
Crafting effective email marketing titles and introductions
Email marketing titles are the critical first step. They determine whether your emails get opened or ignored. Use concise and informative subject lines that highlight the email's key point. For instance:
"Double your impact: Every donation matched 100% for the next 24 hours""Join Us in Making Dreams Come True for Children in Need""Will you help us give Selassie's village clean water?""Exclusive Invitation: A Night of Inspiration and Giving"
Then, your email marketing introduction should be direct and quickly explain your offer and request to resonate with readers' interests while aligning with your mission.
Email marketing segmentation and personalization
The practice of marketing segmentation entails the division of your email list into separate groups, utilizing criteria like donation history, engagement levels, and demographics. The greater the degree of marketing segmentation, the greater the relevance of your emails. Consequently, this results in increased engagement and a higher rate of conversions.
Leveraging personalization is equally essential. For instance, send a personalized thank-you email to frequent donors or share volunteer opportunities with highly engaged supporters. You can also send special gifts or notes on membership anniversaries and birthdays to further show your audience that you care about the relationship.
» Interested in learning more? Discover the best ways to personalize your eCommerce store
Leveraging Mayple for nonprofit email marketing success
For nonprofits seeking to elevate their email marketing, consider Mayple. This digital marketing platform connects organizations with marketing experts. Their expertise complements your email marketing efforts, strengthening connections with donors, volunteers, and supporters. With Mayple, you'll gain benefits such as:
Tailored strategies that align with nonprofit goals and target audience.Expertise in crafting compelling email subject lines, content, and calls-to-action.Assistance in segmenting email lists and personalizing content to maximize engagement.Continuous monitoring and optimization of your email campaigns for improved results.
Nurturing bonds beyond boundaries
At the end of the day, nonprofit email marketing is a potent strategy for fostering relationships with potential stakeholders. As you work to optimize your campaigns, remember to understand and segment your audience, choose the right email categories and topics, and craft well-structured emails with compelling titles and content. Consider a platform like Mayple to connect with nonprofit email marketing professionals who can help you accomplish your mission faster.