Email is consistently ranked as the most used application on the Internet. According to Epsilon International via Econsultancy Blog in June 2009:
Email is used more often than social media for personal communication. 79% of those surveyed use email as the main means of communication, only 10% use social networks.
Email has long been used as a form of marketing, but if you’re new to the email marketing game, you may not be sure how to use it and what results you can expect. So here are our top five uses for email marketing:
1. Newsletters
You can create newsletters to send to current and potential customers on a regular basis. Some companies opt for weekly, others monthly. If you’re really interested, you could even submit them daily (as long as the content is of high quality). Sending email newsletters is a very effective form of communication and helps further enhance your brand. The more you can keep your name and logo in front of current and potential customers, the more likely you are to be at the top of the list when the customer wants to make a purchase.
Newsletters can contain a variety of information: new web pages you’ve added, new articles, changes to your business, new product lines—anything goes, as long as it’s of value to the person you’re sending it to.
2 specials
Many organizations like to use email marketing to send coupons/codes or to promote a special offer they have. Offering exclusive coupons to mailing list subscribers has also proven to be an effective way to grow your email marketing list. If people are already engaged with your business, what better way to strengthen the relationship than by giving them your own special offers?
3. Invitation to the eventions
Email marketing is a fantastic way to promote events you may be organizing. Not only can you send emails informing current and potential customers that you’re hosting an event, but you can also use email to invite people directly. Email marketing tools are very sophisticated and customizable, making them great as an invitation tool. It also reduces the printing and postage cost of traditional invitations.
4. Promote Blog Posts
If you create a regular blog, you can use email to promote each new blog post. Some people may prefer to receive a direct email containing your blog post, rather than having to visit your site directly. Alternatively, you can send a weekly or monthly email containing a summary of all your recent blog posts and use it as a way to drive traffic to your site.
5. Business Updates/Press Releases
If you launched a new product, hired a new staff member, or have some other type of newsworthy announcement, email marketing is a great way to communicate this to your mailing list. You can also use email marketing to send out mass press releases to your list of journalists.
The main benefits of email marketing are:
- Speed
- flexibility
- low cost
- Ability to measure results.
These benefits make it a useful tool for all businesses, large and small. The low cost of entry means that virtually anyone can get involved and start using it.