subject: How to use email marketing ethically [print this page] How to use email marketing ethically How to use email marketing ethically
Email Marketing is a very effective marketing tool and best of all Its free!
To start off, lets talk about why email marketing is so effective. To anyone who does not know what email marketing is-it is sending out emails to potential customers who have asked to be included in your email list to receive any news on new products, offers, promotions etc. Someone who may of not been interested in your product at first, may be interested at a later time after being emailed some more information. Or, someone who has already bought a product from you may be interested in knowing about any products you may be bringing out in the future.
Email marketing is a productive way to build customer trust in your company if done right. Everyone hates getting their inbox filled up with spam and any emails that don't interest them. If you start sending people spam, they are going to not only just delete it, but hold a negative image of your company. That is why it is very crucial you use email marketing ethically.
In order to send out emails, you need to build an email list. This is a lot easier said then done. You only want email addresses of people who may be potentially interested in something you offering. If you are selling a guide on SEO techniques, the email address of someone who does not have a website is useless to you.
A lot of internet marketers will email the same address numerous times with the same email(sometimes in the same day). This is a huge mistake and it usually doesn't work. If someone does not purchase your product or service after an email, its time to drastically change that email and try another approach in a few weeks.
Look at it like this. When someone gives you their email address because they show interest in your business, this is a lead. This person has just told you that they may be a potential customer if you have something they are interested in. This is as good of a lead as your going to get and you only have a few chances before this person is not interested anymore or decided to go with your competitors. Spamming their inbox with the same email or similar emails is just going to chase them away.
After you write up your email to send out to your list, read and review it and ask yourself Would I consider this email spam if someone sent it to me? If so, then your lead may think so as well.
Here are a few guidelines to follow when creating an email campaign:
Make the customer aware when they provide their email that you may contact them with special offers and information from time to time.
Don't overwhelm them with emails. Use email sparingly, and only when you have something really interesting to communicate.
Ensure that it is as easy as possible for them to "opt out" of receiving your emails.
Never sell their email addresses to a third party because you cannot be sure they will behave as honestly and ethically as you will.
Don't hide the source of the email. It's easy to mask who is sending an email. Don't do this. Use honest email addresses to send your emails and you'll build trust.
Your headlines must actually reflect what is in the email. It's tempting to put a really exciting headline on the email to get people to open it. But, if the headline has nothing to do with the email itself, it will turn people away from your company.
Make sure everyone in your company is aware of your email policies and follows them to the letter.
Make the customer aware when they provide their email that you may contact them with special offers and information from time to time.
Don't overwhelm them with emails. Use email sparingly, and only when you have something really interesting to communicate.
Ensure that it is as easy as possible for them to "opt out" of receiving your emails.
Never sell their email addresses to a third party because you cannot be sure they will behave as honestly and ethically as you will.
Don't hide the source of the email. It's easy to mask who is sending an email. Don't do this. Use honest email addresses to send your emails and you'll build trust.
Your headlines must actually reflect what is in the email. It's tempting to put a really exciting headline on the email to get people to open it. But, if the headline has nothing to do with the email itself, it will turn people away from your company.
