subject: Ten Basic Tips For Marketing Your Business Via Emails This Christmas Season [print this page] The dash to Christmas is set to begin next week as the holiday shopping season begins in earnest after Thanksgiving. Are you using all the tools at your disposal to market your business? Is an email marketing campaign part of your overall Christmas season marketing strategy?
If you already have, or are building a significant list, email marketing is something to employ. First off, it's a cost-effective method for getting your marketing message out. Second, it's a way of regularly keeping your name in front of your niche's eyes each week.
There are numerous opinions on what constitutes an effective email campaign. However, the following are ten basic tips to help you run a proper email campaign:
1. Simplify Your Message
People are busy at the best of times. They're extremely busy come the holiday season. In the online world, they're receiving more promotional emails this time of year. Therefore, keep your emails concise and focused.
Don't try to offer everything you sell in an email message. Focus on one or two products and offer incentives to buy. Present the offer in precise and clear language. Don't have long-winded text that wastes readers' time.
2. Schedule Appropriately
You want a consistent message going out regularly over the coming weeks. Don't send a rash of emails in the last ten shopping days of the season. Your audience is even busier as Christmas Day approaches.
Start sending Christmas emails out after Thanksgiving. Consider that in the last week or so leading up to December 25, people are taking more time off. They may be travelling and some may not check their emails as often. Therefore, get your messages to them in the first half of December too.
3. Consider the Economy before Emailing
This year, reports indicate people may cut back more on Christmas shopping. However, deals, promotions and incentives may encourage them to buy from you. Consider sending online coupons, discount offerings, and two-for-one offers in your emails.
4. Make the Email Subject Line Clear
Of course, you need people to open those emails you're sending. Don't encourage them to click the delete button because of confusing "subject line" text. Let them know with clear language what you're offering and why it's important to them.
5. Don't Forget Last Minute Shopping
While you must promote early as previously stated, you can't ignore the last-minute shoppers. Every year, some individuals do wait until the last few days to shop, for whatever reason. Do send a few emails in the closing days to encourage them to get their shopping done through your website. Provide the necessary links they need to expedite matters.
6. Make Your Message Personal and Relevant
Write your email message as if you're writing a letter to one person. Don't have your email message read like a form letter generated by a lifeless computer program. Talk to your potential customers as you would talk to them face-to-face in a congenial setting. Explain clearly to them why your product or service is right for them.
7. Concentrate on Actions
You want those who read your emails to take action. Therefore, you must include a call to action in your email. Ask your readers to check out an offer on your website. Suggest that they "click on this link" to gain more information, or a coupon, and such. Have a clear call to action that takes them to a landing page that converts.
8. Don't Overdo Emails during the Holiday Season
As stated earlier, regular emails, weekly, leading up to Christmas work well. They can be daily ones if your list is used to this from you. However, don't start sending daily emails to those you typically send emails to monthly or once a week. You're overdoing it when you all of a sudden start bombarding them with emails.
9. Keep your Email Messages Consistent with Your Other Marketing Messages
Make sure your email messages are of the same quality as your articles. You may engage in article marketing, using a quality content distribution service to get your articles to your audience. Those articles are no doubt informative and of a professional tone. Make sure your emails are informative and professional sounding too.
10. Don't Forget to Say Thanks and Offer Best Wishes
This is something so basic and yet often forgotten. Sure, get your marketing message across in a reputable way. However, don't forget to wish the best of the season. In addition, thank those who are loyal customers for their business.
Start working on different email copy today and schedule their release dates leading up to Christmas. Make sure you're getting your message out well before the final week of shopping. An effective email campaign gets your niche thinking of you, when it comes time to buy.
