My answer: Yes and No. Pretty vague, right? I know, but I will explain when to say yes, and when you should say no to email marketing.
Email Marketing is a fabulous way to reach out and communicate with your clients/customers. If used properly it is a great tool, and a reminder to your clients, hey remember me? You can talk about latest company news, new products, sales, and anything you feel relevant to your audience.
Email Marketing is especially good for:
eCommerce Websites: You can talk about new products of course, but talking about sales is great. EVERYONE likes to save money. So when you have a good deal, talk about it.
Coupons: Again, everyone likes to save money so sending a coupon to your list is a no-brainer. And the best part? You know exactly how many people use the coupon, metrics like that, are crucial.
How often should we send?
We live in the age of spam, so this is so important. If you abuse the privilege of sending emails to your list, you will pay the price in the form of unsubscribing and worse, being marked as spam.
So, here is my opinion:
For eCommerce sites I recommend no more than once a week. Personally I think companies that send those daily emails end up deleted without being read quite often. I think once a week is enough, and only if you have something your audience will enjoy and hopefully purchase. Now, if you are an Amazon, the rules are different as they have millions of products so their frequency is different. (But as a consumer I still hate daily emails).
For the rest of us: If you aren’t selling online, or sending coupons, then the rules change dramatically. I personally think quarterly is enough, but if you feel the need and have a lot to say, monthly is fine.
How do I know if I have sent too often?
Metrics: What is your open rate? How many people are sharing on social media? How often are people un-subscribing and worse, marked as spam. I know at RooSites we are on target as we are at nearly 100% for our open rate.
Don’t send for the sake of sending. If you don’t have anything interesting, wait until you do.
DON’T SEND CANNED GARBAGE!!! (All caps and bold, you know this is serious)
I have a certain mortgage pro I know that subscribes to a service that sends these weekly emails. This same email goes out to thousands, and my guess is their unsubscribe link is the most popular in the email. When I asked him about it, he answered he didn’t have time to write the emails and this is better than nothing. I disagree, sometimes NOT doing something is a better business decision.
Don’t send if you don’t have an email marketing service. Don’t send an email with 200 people in the “To” field. People hate seeing their email address exposed to strangers. And the giant list in the BCC field? This is a red flag that you are sending spam, and often never make it to most of your list.
Ok, so which email service should I use?
There are a lot of players in the email marketing business. For me it is about simplicity, cost and metrics. While I have used Constant Contact, and many others, I use MadMimi for myself and most of my clients. It is easy to use, they have good support and you can sign up for free and decide if you like it. They have great metrics and less expensive than some of the larger services that spend oodles on advertising.
Bottom Line: Email marketing is a great way to communicate with your clients/customers. Tread lightly and don’t spam the people who support you and keep you in business. Be aware of your metrics and adjust your strategy when needed. Lastly, as I advise on social media, only send what you find interesting. If you don’t think your email is interesting, then your audience probably won’t enjoy it either!
Why you ask? Well, first they send in a spy to check out the bar and to sample the food and drinks. In my case I look at the website and evaluate. They figure out why the bar is losing money, re-design the space and fix the deficiencies. Very similar process for me but I don’t get as angry as the host of Bar Rescue. (Most of the time)
I was watching an episode the other day. The bar owner had sold his previous bar. He then opened a new place across the street. This particular bar was in New Orleans which means it is one of the few places in the US where you sell drinks to go. Instead of coming up with a new concept, he copied the plastic to-go cup in color and looks. (the old bar had a green hand grenade shape at the bottom, the new one had a turtle motif on the bottom, but both looked identical) The result? They got sued for copyright infringement and spent $100,000 defending the suit. His bar ended up a cheap copy of his old place and the result was a cheap imitation that was easy to miss. So easy in fact, that the spies which were sent in actually walked by the place!
So, this made me think in terms of new websites and new business branding. Often times clients will look at their competitors and want to copy what they see. Now competitive analysis is a great first start when you are in the process of getting a new business venture going. But copying what they’re doing is never a good idea. You want your own original branding strategy. Readers to my blog will remember I spoke about names in my last post. You also want to think very carefully before you name your new business. If you choose a name which there are already five or six other companies with the same name, chances are you will not get a great domain. And even worse, you actually drive traffic to those sites.
Bottom line: Be original in your name, your design and everything you do so that you establish your own brand and company identity. You want to differentiate yourself, not copy others. Do your competitive analysis, but think of ways you can be better than the existing competition. As the web world is ever changing, chances are your website is a good place to outdo your competition as you can have the most up to date website with the latest technology.
Being original in branding, business name, design, and everything you do is crucial for several reasons:
1. Differentiation: In a crowded marketplace, originality helps you stand out from the competition. It enables you to establish a unique identity and create a distinct brand image that sets you apart. Originality helps consumers remember and recognize your business, leading to better brand recall and differentiation from competitors.
2. Brand Identity: Originality allows you to develop a strong brand identity that aligns with your values, mission, and target audience. It gives you the opportunity to craft a narrative and personality that resonates with your customers. By being original, you can communicate your brand story effectively and build an emotional connection with your audience.
3. Authenticity: Originality promotes authenticity, which is crucial for building trust with your customers. People are drawn to genuine and original brands that have a clear purpose and offer unique value. By being true to your vision and expressing it through your branding, you can establish credibility and foster long-term relationships with your audience.
4. Memorable and Impactful: Originality helps create memorable experiences for your customers. When your branding, business name, and design are original, they have a higher chance of leaving a lasting impression on people’s minds. Memorable branding leads to word-of-mouth referrals, increased customer loyalty, and a positive brand reputation.
5. Competitive Advantage: Originality gives you a competitive edge by allowing you to offer something different and innovative. By introducing fresh ideas and unique approaches, you can attract customers who are seeking novel experiences or solutions. Originality can help you disrupt traditional markets, capture attention, and gain a competitive advantage over rivals.
6. Intellectual Property Protection: Being original helps you protect your intellectual property, such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents. By creating original designs, logos, and names, you reduce the risk of infringing on existing intellectual property rights. Protecting your original assets ensures that your business remains distinct and legally safeguarded.
In summary, originality in branding, business name, design, and all aspects of your business is vital for differentiation, brand identity, authenticity, memorability, competitive advantage, and intellectual property protection. By being original, you can create a strong foundation for your business and attract the attention and loyalty of your target audience.
