Email Marketing Tip

In a way, this blog is an attempt to put down in writing a lot of the stuff that is in my head.  This blog started off as a place I could put down what I know for friends, so that one day I can pull it all together in a book they can follow so they can earn their living online too.  I did start the book once, but within a few pages I quickly realised I know just too much to even start to write it down in a coherent fashion, so I preferred to jot down bits and bobs and one day I will bring that together in one long page of links showing several routes through. 

I think I was aiming too high.  I wanted to quickly put together a new site and thought that was an ideal time to share the knowledge and grab my screenies along the way.  The first part was easy “get yourself a domain name and hosting (told them where, which host and why)” then it went on to “install the blog through fantastico”, easy so far “get yourself a free template” ….. then before I knew it, I was fiddling with php scripts in the middle of free templates and I thought “how the heck can I describe this”. I’d just tried to write down too much in the first instance, so stopped.

Anyway, here’s one thing that will be going into my book (if/when it’s ever finished):

Email Marketing Tip

For the last few years it’s been harder and harder to get emails past spam filters and into people’s Inboxes.  Even things I legitimately want and sign up for seem to disappear into my Junk Mail, even if I just clicked on the first email to let them know I DID want to subscribe!

One of the reasons for this is down to the wording that’s used within the email itself.  There are certain words you should never use (OK, that’s another chapter to write!).  I’ve done a lot of research and testing for this and found two things:

 - most people don’t read a long email from start to finish.

 - if you cut down on your content in your email you’ve less likelihood of using one of the “banned” words, those that will shoot your email off into people’s junk boxes!

So, combine the two and what do you get?

Write MUCH shorter emails!

OK, but that doesn’t let them know about what you’re telling them about. And you’re right.  What you need to do is to write your emails more like an index (if you’ve a few things), or just a teaser and a link.

Simply write a powerful, attention-grabbing headline.  If they’re interested, they’ll click it and read the full details back at your website (and have the chance to bookmark it!).

So, keep your emails short – and to the point.

But, and this is important, make sure your powerful and attention-grabbing headline is part of the link itself.

I’ll show you what I mean:

Let me show you the full details at: www.YourSite.com/Your-Powerful-Attention-Grabbing-Headline-Here

If you’ve already got a list of site members or subscribers, try this on your next mailing.  If you’re shortly going to start mailing, then start using it from the start for instant better results! 

See it for yourself – simply keeping your emails short makes your response jump through the roof!

Phew, well, that’s one important tip logged down then!

I’ll write a separate blog entry that covers questions like:

 - how can I check my emails for these banned words before I send it?

 - how can I make sure my emails arrive safely in people’s Inboxes with the minimum effort?

Good luck!

Tags: email marketing