Do you think email marketing works? If so how do I develop an email list?
Good Answers (8)
Email marketing is a quick, easy, cheap, and efficient way of getting your brand in front of current and potential client's.
E-flyers, e-xclusives and e-newsletters are a very useful way of getting the attention of your target audience.
It is possible to buy e-data from mailing list providers for one-off use, a 12 month period, or ongoing. However, your campaign will only have a chance of being successful if the data provided is up to date.
If you are targetting your own database then your success rate will increase 10 fold!
Links:
Daclaud L.
Daclaud dot com - www.daclaud.com a website for information and entertainment
Email marketing is as effective as the target audience's need for the service or the product. A lot of websites will include a registration page so the customer or potential customer can register their email and sign up for a newsletter. Be sure to give them the option to opt out, because too much email gets old really fast.
For cold email, here are a few places to start: www.claritas.com or a business e-mail provider such as www.mardev.com - these lists are from people who want to receive email offers, but it is essentially a "cold list" because they may or may not have a need for your specific product or service, so the sucess rate is the same as a cold call in telemarketing.
You can also do co-branded email by networking with another company you have a strong tie with. This form of e-mail marketing is a bit warmer since there is a strong relationship among existing customers. When both brands are mentioned, the customer's interest in the new brand will peek further.
Another way to generate an email list is through a third party newsletter. This can be in the form of an ad, sponsorship or PR editorial which provides a link to your website (see first paragraph on email registration).
Remember that email marketing is only successful if you are creative, relevant, incentive and are able to integrate it with the look of your brand.
Dear Satya,
It's important develop own mailing lists which are profiled on real interests about your website's user.
So, thanks to email autoreponders, you can automatically create one or more profiled lists, identifying users who visit the website.
Then you'll use these lists to send email marketing campaigns with targeted contents on specific interests and habits of your recipient.
With SitoVivo Email Marketing U can also have After Click Tracking, to calculate ROI on your email marketing campaigns and newsletters.
Feel free to add my contact (giovanniquaglino@gmail.com) !
Best regards,
Giovanni
Links:
Giovanni Q. also suggests this expert on this topic:
Email marketing definitely works! Getting the right emails to the right customers is what your focus should be to ensure success.
Targetted emails are always the most sucessful, so the more information you can obtain on the recipient the better.
Emails should be
• Well written - preferably front loaded, so people can almost assimilate the information without having to read much. Time is precious
• Relevant – to the reader, otherwise they are pointless
• Reflect your brand and the individual reason for the email
• Look good – appealing images will encourage people to open the email which is the first step
Building a mailing list:
• Add a “join our mailing list” option on your website to build up your database and if you can offer some incentives for doing this, people are more likely to join.
• Contact all current, past and prospective clients to suggest they sign up
• If your target is businesses, make a list of all the companies you would like to receive your email and call them – find out who the relevant contact is. It will take a bit of time but is the most effective way of finding real customers
You can buy in data from a number of sources. Do research the companies well and ask about a trial - try get taster list which you can check to see that the information is relevant and up to date.
Planning well will give you the best results and documenting well will show you an accuarate return on investment and help prevent making the same mistakes a second time
Good luck!
I've found e-mail marketing to only be effective if you target it to your current customers or potential customers who opt-in. Third party lists are very often ineffective, and for most companies will not deliver enough leads to cover the cost of buying permission to use the list.
Getting permission to e-mail market to your customers is relatively easy. If you have an e-mail address database that is not being used for marketing, e-mail that list, explain the program, and ask them to opt-in.
Often, running a promotion or contest in exchange for an e-mail address is a good way to collect, just be careful that potential customers who register that way might only be interested in the prize, and not actually be engaged with your brand.
Good luck.
Satya,
Great question and we know email marketing definitely works. What you have to ask your self in developing an email marketing campaign is how am I going to gain the attention of this prospect, client, or consumer? What I am talking about here is if you simply send out information on your product or service, why should they be interested…especially in light of all the spam messages we get today. What we do for our clients is use content that relates to those people you are trying to reach and integrate your message into that. In other words, you must first establish who you want to reach and then understand that "consumer" you are trying to reach and developed a program that 1) breaks through the clutter 2) gain their attention and engage them 3) get them to act on your message through a consistent communication platform. For example, we use a NASCAR email newsletter to send out to Snap-On's list of retailers, installers, and mechanics. Obviously, Snap-On knows a lot about who they are trying to reach and they tailor the program around that. It’s amazing what happens to sales with a targeted email marketing campaign.
Good luck with your email marketing campaign.
Allen
Satya,
I agree with a lot of the responses you have been provided. Keep in mind that Pew Internet recently released a study which stated that 91% of Internet users continue to use email on a daily basis and the same percentage conduct searches on a daily basis. Therefore, while adding a newsletter sign-up to your website is very viable list growth tactic, I would also add it to your blogs. If your blogs are SEO optimized properly, you should gain a much higher percentage of traffic to them rather than directly to your website based on their search inquiries matching your blog titles and content. Your target audience may come to your website in a series of ways however two of the most prevalent factors are; 1) brand recognition and, 2) after being introduced and compelled to visit it based on the value you can provide through your blogs.
Chris Baggott (Co-founder of ExactTarget and Compendium Blogware) recently published a whitepaper on how Corporate Blogging and Email Marketing work together. You may find it an interesting read based on your interest of subscriber/list growth. Here is the link to the whitepaper:
http://www.compendiumblogware.com/resources.html
Links:
- http://www.exacttarget.com
- http://www.compendiumblogware.com
- http://www.compendiumblogware.com/resources.html
Daren T. also suggests these experts on this topic:
Hello Satya -
I believe that eMarketing does work, however, with each passing day it gets more difficult. Email filters are getting more strict, finding a list of people that will actually read your emails is tough, etc. Because it is a cheap way to market and it's accessible to almost everyone, the majority of companies both legitimate and not, take advantage of it. In the end, if you take the time to know your audience and what they are looking along with designing a meaningful email, I do still believe it can be very effective.
There are multiple ways you can obtain a list, including making one yourself, getting contacts to sign up for emails as they do in retail stores. Retailers collect email address in the store and through their websites. Another way is to buy a list pertaining to the audience you are trying to market to. There are many companies that sell contact information, hence all the spam you get when cleaning out your inbox, but there are also some good ones out there. In my opinion, the most effective way is the first, because the people that actually sign up are actually interested in getting more information on what you are trying to sell.
Good Luck!
More Answers (15)
True, email marketing is a quick, easy, cheap, and efficient, but it's also very easy for it to become an irritant... with the obvious consequence of the mail being deleted and/or the person unsubscribing, thus wasting your money.
I'd say limit the number of communications, make sure they're particularly short and sweet, and if you are able to offer some kind of incentive to get your targeted customer group on board, then so much the better.
If you can get your hands on the sort of content management software that deletes dead email addresses from your databse, you'll also save yourself a lot of time! (e.g.: http://www.vyre.com/)
Hi Satya,
I do think email marketing works (and agree with Nick). I would also recommend asking yourself some simple questions before sending email, like the ones listed on Seth Godin's blog (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/06/email-checklist.html).
Also, be thoughtful in how you promote your email in efforts to entice people to sign up. Copy Blogger wrote an interesting article on word choice when promoting blogs. I think the same principles apply:
http://www.copyblogger.com/increase-blog-subscribers/
Developing your own list through your customers opting in is a great way, but you can also buy lists from list companies, which will provide you a great many contacts--with emails, titles, etc. Doing it right--meaning not spamming constantly, and only sending emails that are relevant to the recipient, are how you should go about it.
What's great about email campaigns is that you get instant results in terms of your ability to track who's reading your emails (or at least opening them), as well as the ability to measure results.
We do email campaigns at Level2wo, if you're interested. Feel free to drop us a line.
Links:
Brian D. M.
Experienced Sales and Project Professional
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Email marketing is evil! Unless an individual truly opts-in for a newsletter, anything else is spam. Don't mix your brand with spam or you will get nothing but irate phone calls and mad potential customers.
You can buy lists, but again make sure that they are 100% opt-in or your message is unwelcome.
Satya,
The best way to go about e-marketing is to hire a reputable firm to manage it for you. E-mail marketing typically has a $57 ROI for every $1 spent. That is if it is done right. I would recommend building you own database from your site. Yes it will start slowly, but it turn you will be targeting people that have a sincere interest in your product or service. Check out Fathom SEO's site if for nothing else than the newswire, it contains a ton of great information.
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Brandie W. also suggests this expert on this topic:
Email marketing works, especially (as one respondent mentioned) if you grow your list with opt-in principals. Do not buy lists. Sponsor other email lists or grow your own. There are many ways you can grow your list organically, but it will require at least one of the following ingredients: time or money. If you want to grow the list quicker, it will require lots of one or the other, possibly both.
I do host an intro to email marketing session, and will probably do one next week. Contact me (matthew@aperiomarketing.net) if you would be interested in sitting in on the session (it's free).
Links:
Boris M.
Social Media and Online Marketing Coach, Speaker & Author, iBizAcademy.com
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According to the Direct Marketing Association in the US, email marketing is the #1 marketing channel with $45 return on investment for every dollar spent.
These facts are indisputable and regardless of the fact that today 90% of ALL email is SPAM (or considered spam by the recipient), email will, if done correctly, continue to provide excellent return on investment.
Now, to build your list, you can and should heed most of the advice given by others here, but you can also check out these "list membership" sites The List Machine and YourLuckyList.com. They offer a free membership, but I can tell you right away - forget it - it's too slow.
However, for a low one time fee you can gain access to thousands of members and you can send them emails - through the service - of any kind offering whatever. This will, in effect, build your list overnight.
I offer a $37 product called Massive List Building Platinum Package, which will give you tons of material to help you build your list: tactics, strategies, and software is included (see link #2)
Also, check out my resource page for additional information and links to reputable Email Service Providers, such as Aweber, 1ShoppingCart, etc. (see link #3)
Boris Mahovac
Email Marketing Coach
http://YourEzineCoach.com/links/linkedin
Links:
- http://www.thelistmachine.com/index.php/YourEzineCoach
- http://yourezinecoach.com/Massive_List_Building_product.html
- http://YourEzineCoach.com/resources/resources-for-ezine-publishers.html
Clarification added June 10, 2008:
Almost forgot to mention this great piece of software by Mike Filsaime, one of the superstar list-builders:
http://www.ViralFriendMachine.com
You install it on your site and it will double or triple your results - your sign ups recommend you to their friends, and the viral effect kicks in. If you've heard of "Tell-a-Friend" scripts, this is so much more than that!
Personally unless the email ad is from a website or company i know and trust i tend to delete them or look past them in some way. But if one would want to give it a shot i would say use social networks like likedin.com, facebook.com, myspace.com, etc... and search for the characteristics of the target market you are trying to reach and you should come up with lists upon lists of people and from there you can easily reach them. Spock.com is also a good way to do this type of research.
Links:
David X. L.
Pro marketer of data storage and data management products, entrepreneur, and blogger on marketingstorage.wordpress.com
Hi Satya
There is a white paper on sales lead management (incl. list building and email) on the MarketingSage web site.
- Dave Lamont
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Biana B.
Consultant
Best Answers in: Internet Marketing (4), Events Marketing (2), Sales Techniques (2), Advertising (1), Direct Marketing (1), Writing and Editing (1), Blogging (1)
It definitely works. One of the first things I recommend that my clients do in order to promote their business online is to start and build their list.
See my articles at http://www.avocadoconsulting.com/articles/news.html for more on newsletter marketing.
Biana Babinsky
Links:
Hi Satya,
I work with OptinLists.
Email Marketing works tremendous. OptinLists is an online marketing form we provide B2B contacts & B2C contacts with they complete contact information such First Name, Last Name, Company Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, Fax Number, Opt-in Email Address, Number of Employees, Revenue Size, SIC Codes, Industry etc.
Custom Build List: -
OptinLists is the most trusted list source in the market – provider of highly targeted opt-in lists. Name your target audience and we will help you in reaching them.
Please let me know your target criteria so that I could send you few samples for your review and give you a feel of our database.
Data Appending: -
We can typically append missing data for 50% to 90+% of your business records. Through our 32 million B2B file, 120 million B2C file, and our unique email appending methodology, our 150 member dedicated team can append records for virtually every business in North America, Europe and Canada.
Our expertise is in: -
· Email appending and reverse appending - matching email addresses to database/postal records and vice-versa.
· Decision makers appending – by adding all the right contacts to your existing internal database with all contact details and verified email address.
· Enhancing marketing data by email hygiene and Electronic Change of Address (ECOA) -- to improve your data accuracy and response.
· Personalized email campaigns - helps you reach the right audience with the right message with strategic lead capture method.
· Email management tools and click-through tracking - enables you to effectively track your online campaigns with opens, clicks and leads reports.
We have a special offer for you, that is if you can send us 50 contacts from your in-house database with missing email address, telephone numbers, fax numbers or mailing addresses, we can append it for you at no cost. And this will help you check the quality of our services.
Please let me know your convenient time for a quick 10 minutes call to discuss in brief in this regard.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best Regards.
William Russell
OptinLists
+1-800-718-4087
www.optinlists.us
Sharon S.
Director, Marketing Strategy, Planning and Communication at Sears Home Services
Best Answers in: Internet Marketing (1), Search Marketing (1)
Satya, check out some of the on-line newsletters - eMarketer for one has a ton of statistics that show exactly that. I have been doing email marketing as a client and provider for more than 10 years and I can personally attest to it's benefits and performance. I built an opt-in list for a travel company in the early days of e-marketing from nothing to 250,000 members. I have also driven sales volume using automated email marketing. We can help you come up with a definitive and ROI focused emarketing strategy that will prove itself. Give us a call.
Sharon Swendner
President
.Com Marketing
www.commarketing.com
407-774-4606 e 206
Hello Satya,
Yes email marketing works!, It is a cheap mode of marketing and also time efective marketing. And we can assist you to develop email list based on any criteria.
As the U.S. economy slows, it causes a global ripple effect. When the going gets tough, budgets, projects, money, customers, and jobs gravitate to the “go-to” performers that are trusted. All businesses are gradually moving their direct marketing initiative to online marketing.
We expertise in Custom business lists for any industry vertical. These lists provide complete marketing information including telephone number, verified email address, Company revenue, and #of Employees. Our lists are excellent to reach decision makers across the board.
Business email appending is another strong forte. One can add missing emails addresses to their in-house data base with this service. On B2B (Business to Business) email appending we can achieve 45% to 85+% plus append rate. We achieve this through our master data of 60+ Million(Bussines) and consumer part 240 million+ records combined with 180+ member email append team at our Global Marketing Centers that work 24x7x365, we can have records appended for virtually every business in North America and Europe.
Optinbuilders is also specializes in Email campaign services
Please let me know a convenient time for a quick conference call to discuss further about this project.
Look forward hearing from you soon.
Regards,
Glen Austin
415-658-6067
glen.austin@optinbuilders.com
Email marketing works, period.
Of course, it should be exploited in the proper manner to yeld results and not to be a boomerang (spam & Co.).
About the mailing list, it would be great if you could rely on your own database of customer and prospects.
Using this kind of list, produces the best results over time, including acquiring new subscriber to your email publication.
Acquiring mailing list from third parties can be tricky but if the vendor is serious, you can reach quite a large number of people to market to your product/service or whatever.
Good luck for your e-mailing ;-) / Pasquale
Hi Satya,
Email marketing does indeed work, and if done correctly can quickly become your most successful marketing channel.
You want to start developing your email list organically. First recommendation would be to add an email sign up form on your website. Make the sign up process simple (dont ask too many questions). Only collect the info you feel necessary to use to segment and target market to your list moving forward (email, name, city, state, etc). Make the newsletter sign up option easy to see and above the fold on your web page(s) so people are enticed to sign up.
Make sure to leverage double opt-in for your sign up process as well. Very important! This will mitigate the risk of malicious email addresses and/or spam traps getting into your list and causing you future deliverability and ISP problems.
Once you begin collecting email addresses and are ready to start sending out campaigns be sure do what you can to deliver relevant content to people based on their preferences and profile information. If you have sales and purchase behavior data to add to your customer profiles that will help as well.
Also a good idea to test deliverability as well. In order to really understand the performance of your campaigns, its essential to understand what % of them are actually getting to the inbox vs. spam folder vs. blocked. If you are using an ESP (email service provider) make sure you ask them about deliverability, white listing, and ISP relations.
Would be happy to answer any further questions you have about how to best get your email marketing program off the ground. I worked for and ESP for many years.
Cheers,
Morgan Witt
mwitt13@gmail.com
