Email marketing – why it’s still a must-do for any business.
Today, there are so many ways to connect with your customers online that you sometimes have to choose which would be the best channel (or, we’d say, do that with the help of an expert agency to guide you in creating a digital marketing strategy that’s just right for your business).
This also means learning about new technologies and marketing approaches and re-evaluating more established methods such as email marketing. While touching base with your customers (or reaching out to a potential market) with social media is relatively easy, many business owners wonder if email marketing is still relevant – running the risk of being labelled as spam or unnecessary inbox clutter. Before you dismiss email marketing, however, we think you should know why, in our books, actually still a must-do for any business.
Five reasons to use email marketing
1. It’s budget-friendly
Spending money on marketing is often a hard call (though a necessary one) for many small businesses who can’t afford big ticket marketing items like a TV advert or radio spot. Compared to other forms of marketing, email marketing is inexpensive, effective, and far-reaching.
2. Easy sharing with the masses
Did you know that in 2016, there were 4.3 billion email accounts in the world? Not only is it cost-effective, email marketing is a direct and simple way to connect with your customers on a global scale or at least across your marketplace. And it’s as easy as sending (and opening) an email. If your database is clean and up-to-date, it’s almost guaranteed that your missive will reach its destination. Research shows that consumers enjoy receiving emails from retailers they have subscribed to as an easy way to stay informed about the latest developments and deals on offer. Connecting to your customer on a regular basis offers real value when it comes to brand loyalty, strengthening relationships, and ultimately increasing sales.
3. The mobile angle
In today’s ‘always on’ world, more and more individuals report working on their phones and receiving and actioning their email on their devices, rather than at their computers. Email marketing doesn’t require any special software, hardware, or apps. It works with one of the most basic functions of any smart phone and one that is checked multiple times a day (research shows the average amount is 34 times!), making email an opportunity for almost-free marketing.
4. Emails drive conversion rates
Research shows that your customers are much more likely to click through to your website or a special offer from an email aimed at them than from a social media site (that’s not saying your social media shouldn’t be pumping too). With email, your subscribed customers have in fact told you what they want and they want to hear from you. And, if you’re doing email marketing right, you’ll be placing the best deals and opportunities right in their inbox for the easiest sell ever.
5. Reports at your fingertips
One of the biggest advantages of digital marketing is the ability to track and report. When it comes to email marketing, you can see who opened your emails, what links they clicked on, and who has unsubscribed. These metrics are extremely valuable when it comes to evaluating your digital marketing strategy (which you should be doing on a regular basis). They allow you to understand how your email campaigns are performing, make any necessary adjustments, and ultimately improve your campaign effectiveness.
Of course, knowing what channel to use to reach out to your customers is only half the battle. When it comes to email marketing, the personal and targeted still work best. That’s why you need an expert marketing team on your side. And that’s where Switch comes in. We are focused on selecting, designing, and executing digital marketing strategies (we love, love, love digital!) that will drive sales for your business. Let us help you use the power of digital marketing to do that.