| In today's technology-friendly environment, many of | | | | there should always be a call-to-action. A call-to-action |
| us correspond via email. However, business email is | | | | guides your readers toward a specific action, such as |
| much different from personal email. In business, email | | | | visiting your website to learn more or learning about |
| blasts or campaigns are used in an effort to increase | | | | a new product or service. If your email is asking for |
| customer awareness and turn a profit. I can't tell you | | | | feedback, provide a link to a survey or short form |
| how many email messages I receive in a day but I | | | | for readers to complete. You can also include your |
| can tell you that many of them are missing three | | | | Twitter and Facebook as options. Always make sure |
| very important elements. | | | | that your call-to-action is prominent in order to get a |
| Have you ever received a mass email from a | | | | better response rate. |
| company that doesn't have your name on it? We all | | | | Once you incorporate these 3 vital elements and |
| have. This is rule number 1. Always personalize your | | | | your readers adjust to your email messages, you'll |
| email campaigns. Most email marketing platforms are | | | | find that your readers will be more likely to read your |
| set up to allow this but many people don't take the | | | | messages and respond. |
| time to use the merge tags to create the | | | | If you're new to email marketing and aren't sure |
| personalization. Most consumers just delete those | | | | which email marketing program to use, I recommend |
| emails just like they throw away junk mail addressed | | | | MailChimp. MailChimp is free up to 500 subscribers and |
| to Resident. Be sure to always take advantage of | | | | 3,000 emails per month. It's great if you're just |
| the merge tags in your email marketing. | | | | getting started and you're not sure of your volume. |
| Branding is another key element that should always | | | | You can also upgrade to a monthly plan if you find |
| be included in your email. Your logo should be clearly | | | | you need room for more subscribers and/or you |
| visible in order for your recipients to know who the | | | | need to send more than 3,000 emails per month. |
| email is from. All of your marketing materials should | | | | MailChimp is integrated with Twitter so your email |
| look very similar to increase brand recognition. | | | | campaigns can also be posted to your Twitter |
| If you're sending out a mass email for any reason, | | | | account. |