Archive for Email Marketing
3 Powerful Elements to Effective Email Subject Lines
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One of the most important elements of effective email marketing is the subject line. Just like a headline in a blog post, a subject line is key to get your foot in the door and have the recipient open your email.
Do you know what it takes to craft a subject line that compels your receipt to click each and every email you send? It’s not that complicated and with the right formula, you will have it down to a science.
Let’s take a look at three elements of an effective email subject line and how it will help you get more opens to your email marketing:
- Keep it short and sweet – No one wants to read a long subject line and worse, it will probably get your email deleted. Keep it short and to the point with a reason for the recipient to open the email. Five to eight words is best, but no more than 40 characters.
- Write it last – Don’t worry about your subject line until you complete drafting up your email. This gives you room to put together a great email and this ties into writing a compelling subject line. Also, it’s easier to edit a subject line than it is to edit an entire email message.
- Avoid spammy symbols – We all know about spam and hate it, right? Well, don’t be a spammer by adding spammy symbols to your subject line. These symbols include !@&!? If you’re tempted to add these symbols, just don’t do it. This increases the chance that your email will get a trip to the spam folder and not in your recipient’s email inbox.
Email marketing is an important part of your marketing mix and the first thing someone will see if your subject line. If it doesn’t compel them to open the email, you can bet they will delete it. Don’t fail to reach your customers; use these three elements to craft a powerful email subject line that gets your email opened and noticed.
If you’re looking for more help with your email marketing and list building efforts, consider a look at my email marketing Ebook. Right now, it’s only $9.99 and it covers everything you need to get you down the right path for successful email marketing.
How to Choose an Email Marketing Provider
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday, I saw a question in one of the forums I frequent. The question was about email marketing providers and which would work better for a new WordPress blog. Well, I have to tell you, not all providers fit everyone’s needs.
For someone looking to set up a new WordPress blog and email list, don’t skimp and choose some free system. Invest a little money and get a professional email marketing provider.
Now, which should you invest in? That all depends on what you need.
There are a few providers, but here’s my take on some of the most popular and why you should use each one:
- Constant Contact – I use this service for all the email marketing services I provide my clients. This is mostly for those only needing one simple opt-in box and autoresponder series. With a great variety of professional templates, ease of use, event marketing and survey capabilities, this provider is highly recommended for simple businesses.
- Aweber – Professional and in my opinion, one of the better ones for those seeking more than a simple email marketing campaign. Although more towards the technical user, this is perfect for more experienced users – I would just recommend you have a custom designed template for your email broadcasts.
- Mail Chimp – Another great service. Be sure to check out their free package if you want to test out their capabilities.
- 1 Shopping Cart – Now, if you’re looking for email marketing, a shopping cart system and integration with affiliate programs, look into 1 Shopping Cart. I highly recommend this provider to those with products or services that offer affiliate programs. Also, make sure you have a custom template for your email marketing with this provider – there’s no template to choose from unless it’s text.
- iContact – A great option for those just looking to start up a email marketing database and campaign. With comparable pricing and tools for simple businesses, it’s worth a look to check them out.
- Vertical Response – With added services including direct mail postcards and optional pay as you go pricing, Vertical Response is worth a look. Currently, there’s a limit on the number of opt-in boxes you can create and no functionality for autoresponders – they do plan to have this available soon.
- InfusionSoft – If you were looking for the Cadillac of email marketing providers, InfusionSoft would be your choice. With numerous features, it’s for serious email marketing campaigns. I would sway away from it if you’re just starting out – they have a heavy price tag to go with that list of features. This includes calls for technical support when you have an issue.
As you can see, there are different service providers for different needs and budgets. If you’re just starting out, look at the top of the list. For those with more invested and ready for a heavy-duty email marketing provider, then look towards the bottom of the list.
If you still help with your email marketing needs or just need something that can give you that extra edge, why don’t you look into my Do it Yourself Email Marketing EBook? It gives you all the information you need without all the techno speak.
“8 Must-Haves for an Effective Opt-In Page”
Posted by: | Commentsby Ali Brown
There are several ways to build your list, and one of the easiest is to build an opt-in page (that’s a web page with a form that online users can fill out, telling you their name, email address, and other contact information). You can invite people to opt-in to your list right on your homepage, and you can also have more opt-in pages embedded within your site for different courses or offerings. But take warning: The phrase “if you build it, they will come” doesn’t necessarily apply.
If you want people to actually sign up, there are several must-have items you must incorporate into your opt-in page to make sure it works and inspires ACTION.
Let’s say, for example, you are hosting a free teleseminar about a hot new topic in your industry. You need people to opt-in and reserve their spot for this content-rich call, where people will learn something they can immediately apply to their business. Maybe people aren’t interested in signing up for your general list off your homepage, but they are really interested in your FREE teleseminar topic. This might prompt them to opt-in and join your list.
So, what does your opt-in page need? I’ve broken it down into 8 essentials:
1. A memorable domain name. Select a domain name that’s so easy that people can remember it (example: YourDomain.com/help)
2. Welcoming media (video, audio, image). Add a video where you tell visitors about how they’ll benefit from opting in. If you’re not comfortable with video, next best is an audio message. Otherwise, go with an attractive image. Make sure to include a caption explaining why they should watch or listen, and make sure you include your name and introduce yourself in your video or audio message.
3. Opt-in form. Have your web assistant create a small contact form that appears ideally on the top-right portion of the web page. Make “name” and “email address” required fields. I like to ask for “company”, “mailing address”, and a “telephone number”, as optional fields.
4. Powerful copy. Use a memo style for addressing your audience, and make sure you:
- Greet your reader with “To: (Insert their category, such as Small Business Owner),” so they see this is relevant to them. Also include “From: Your Name,” so it seems personal.
- Relate with the audience. Example: “As an entrepreneur, don’t you wish that you had more than 24 hours in a day?”
- Identify with the pain your audience is feeling, such as how you struggled to get clients when you first started your business.
- Let them know you have answers for them.
- Touch on how you have expert knowledge that can help them solve their problem.
- Emphasize what they’ll learn and be able to use right away. Entice them with the benefits, but leave some surprises to be revealed.
- Let them know that you’ll be in touch with more information and resources.
5. Include your bio information. Let your readers know who you are and why your background makes you a great resource. This is more of your standard bio compared to the background you’ll give them in your memo. I put my official bio in a sidebar on my opt-in pages, so it’s part of the template.
6. Privacy policy. Adjacent to your opt-in box, you’ll want to include a brief privacy statement so that your potential customers know that you are not going to share their contact info.
7. Give something away of value. Last and most importantly, make it worthwhile for people to opt in. In our example, it’s a FREE seat at your hot new teleseminar. But, you could also offer a free ebook download, a free CD, or video to people right when they land on your website for the first time.
8. Keep the conversation going by inviting your reader to join you on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, etc. You’ve probably seen the Facebook and Twitter thumbnail icons on pretty much everyone’s homepage these days — and they make it really easy for your readers to go straight to your social media sites and sign up as a fan or follower. Use them!
I just launched a FREE report yesterday, and that opt-in page is live. So you can see this real-life example, here now.
(By the way, on that page, you should opt-in to get a FREE copy of my new report “Grow That List! The 7 Streams of List Building That Are Working Right Now.” It’s chock-full of great tips to help build your list!
© 2011 Ali International, LLC
Millionaire entrepreneur mentor Ali Brown teaches women around the world how to start and grow profitable businesses that make a positive impact. Get her FREE CD and articles at www.AliBrown.com
Want to convert your web traffic to clients? Follow the 10 Step Process
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A successful business website isn’t always determined by the amount of traffic it attracts but by how many clients it obtains.
We entrepreneurs are always looking for innovative ways to attract and obtain clients and I was so thrilled when Terry Z., business strategist, marketing consultant and owner of Solo Entrepreneur developed ten proven steps to converting Ezine subscribers to clients.
Like many internet based businesses, I offer my website visitors an Ezine – free and valuable information to take away with them. I do this to help make readers aware of and learn about my services, share my expertise and provide a helpful and free resource.
