E-mail Marketing Success Steps

I’d like to take a moment to give you an outline of a successful email marketing campaign.  Remember that every step in this course of action is essential to your success, so it’s important that you understand these ten steps and how they will all work together.

I can’t go into great detail in only one blog post but, I am open to questions so don’t hesitate to post any questions you may have if you are unclear about something via the comment form and I will respond as soon as I can.

Let’s get to it:

Step #1: Build an opt-in list of highly responsive subscribers

To begin with, you need to have an actual list of opt-in email addresses to send your promotions to.  This may seem like a “master of the obvious” type statement but, without a list, your campaign is going nowhere!

And while building your list is unquestionably going to be your first priority, it will also remain a key focal point for as long as you are running your own business.  To start growing and managing your new or current opt-in list, I recommend you utilize some proven strategies and tools.  One such strategy and tool that will assist you in doing this is Co-Registration Leads.

Click here for more information about Co-Registration Leads and my recommended Co-Registration Leads Source.

Step #2: Build strong relationships with your opt-in list

The most successful Internet marketers focus on developing strong, personal relationships with their opt-in subscribers.

It doesn’t cost you dime, and if you can offer the kind of precious information that your subscribers are seeking, it won’t be long before word spreads and your opt-in list (and your reputation!) begins to grow.

And no matter how large your list gets, you can make sure each of your subscribers feels they’re getting the personal attention they believe they deserve.

Today’s best autoresponder tools personalize your messages and are able to send them to targeted segments of your mailing list, all the while saving your huge amounts of time.

My recommended autoresponder service not only is one of the best on the market right now but, includes several other powerful tools that you can either implement now or use to replace another related service and save you money!  I have been using the service for years and they have never failed to keep up with the continuous changes the various ISPs make to prevent your e-mails from being read.

Click here for more information about my recommended autoresponder service and while you are there go ahead and take it and the included tools for a 30-day test drive for free.

Or if you would like an example of how effective an autoresponder service it is click here and subscribe to my mailing list about “How autoresponders can make you money.”

Step #3: Write compelling, effective e-mail promotions

Clearly, a key component of any successful email campaign is the actual salescopy itself.  How do you write convincing copy that generates the largest possible response, and ensure that it’s formatted so that the greatest number of email programs will display it the way you anticipated?

After all, there’s really no point in creating an exceptional email marketing campaign if it winds up in the targeted readers “Trash” folder!  But there’s a fine line between attracting interest and looking like spam.

Successful e-mail salescopy differs greatly from the salescopy you would normally put on a website.  If you don’t think this is the case you are wasting time and money on e-mail campaigns that aren’t optimized.  Let’s take a look at a few of the key elements of great e-mail copy:

1. The offer is important to the readers needs.  Answer the question, “How will they benefit?”
2. Include a single offer or “call to action.” NEVER include multiple offers in a single e-mail.  If you want them to buy something then focus on that.  If you want them to subscribe to a different list then that should be your focus.
3. Create an urgency to the offer. Only good for the next 24 hours, free shipping, etc.

Writing great e-mail salescopy isn’t an art.  If you take your time and hit on all the key elements you will be successful.

One of the people I consider an authority on the subject of writing effective e-mail promotions is e-mail marketing expert Jimmy D. Brown.  He has many books on the topic but, my favorite one, and the one that has assisted me with creating my own e-mail marketing campaigns can be found by clicking here.

It not only includes in great detail how to write the best salescopy for your campaigns but, it also discusses just about every other aspect of great e-mail marketing.  It is a must read for any online marketer in my opinion.

Step #4: Prepare your opt-in list for a mailing

Once you’ve prepared your email promotion, it’s time to hit “Send,” or add it to your autoresponder series.  But don’t be too hasty!  Always take great care in preparing your opt-in list for a mailout (all the top Internet Marketers do and so should you).

Most of the top autoresponder services (including the one I recommend above), offer ways to manage your opt-in list for maximum efficiency and profits.  They assist you by removing duplicate addresses from your list, automatically manage your bounced-back messages which will increase your delivery rate, remove known “spam” addresses to keep you from being reported maliciously, and much more.

You should always do everything you can to prevent your e-mail campaign from being a total disaster!  Always, always, always check your e-mail for formatting, content, omitted hot links, and spelling.  All of these things are easily avoidable but, if not taken care of before you hit send, will significantly impact the success of your campaign, and lower your credibility with your readers.

Step #5: Make sure your e-mail promotional messages don’t look like spam

If you are accused of sending spam, nearly all of your future messages may be blocked by ISPs and anti-spam organizations!  This can be the biggest headache in online marketing to fix and until it is, your subscribers will never even see your offer!  It is vital, I repeat, it is vital that you keep your mailing list off the “blacklists.”

I’m not going to go into all the ways your e-mail activities can get your blacklisted as I am assuming that you aren’t into using deceptive or phony marketing practices.  But, even the most respected marketer can end up with his or her mailing list blacklisted if they don’t do the following:

1. Include a clear and easy way for readers to unsubscribe for your list, in every single e-mail piece that is sent out.
2. Include a valid postal address, in every single e-mail piece that is sent out.

If you don’t follow these simple steps you will quickly find yourself with a completely useless mailing list because, no one on it will receive your offer.

I know I promised “ten steps” but, this post is getting on the long side and you probably already have actions to take based on what I have shared already.

I promise I will post the remaining five steps shortly.  If you have any questions just leave a comment below or click on the “contact” link at the top of the page and drop me an e-mail message.  I want you to succeed with your business and if you have a question that goes unanswered you are really doing yourself and your business a disservice.

Come back tomorrow for the other five steps…

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Technorati Tags: E-Mail Marketing, Internet Marketing