Sunday, August 7, 2011

Reasons to use email marketing

As a small business owner perhaps you have asked, “Should I use email marketing?”  What are the benefits of email marketing? Who uses it and why?  Is email marketing still effective?

Who uses Email Marketing?

Microsoft sends out 20 million email marketing pieces each month.  The drycleaner in town sends out monthly newsletters.  Your favorite clothing store emails you whenever they are running a sale.  Non-profit organizations use email marketing to keep in contact with donors and volunteers.  Even dentists are replacing postcard reminders to their patients with email correspondence.


Geographical borders and physical distance are no longer an issue.  Email costs the same whether it is addressed to someone down the street or across the globe.  Personalized emails are sent around the clock and around the world.  Graphics, videos, games, surveys, and quizzes are all instantaneously passed along via email.

Is the Investment Worthwhile?

With all the social networking and clever ways to communicate online some wonder if email marketing is still practical.  In any advertising/marketing campaign the decision-making question that needs to be asked is, “What is my ROI (return on investment)?”  If you’re not taking advantage of a marketing strategy with a positive return on investment, you’re missing out on “free money.”

According to the Direct Marketing Association, email marketing generated an ROI of $43.62 for every dollar spent in 2009. The expected figure for 2010 is $42.08.  Email marketing outperforms all the other direct marketing channels examined by Direct Marketing.

To reach 5000 recipients an email campaign will cost up to 78 percent less than traditional direct mail marketing.  And no special equipment is required.  You can generate an email marketing campaign from your home or business.

The Ad Effectiveness Survey commissioned by Forbes Media in February/March 2009 revealed that email and e-newsletter marketing are the second-most effective tools for generating conversions, just behind SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

A December 2009 survey by Silverpop found that companies were feeling the effects of recession, but "four out of 10 marketers reported that email budgets would increase in 2010.  Forty-seven percent said they would stay the same.”

Why Does Email Marketing Work?

Email marketing is highly targeted, data-driven, and builds relationships.  Email marketing services and constituent relationship management software continuously improves email marketing campaigns through analytics.  Where else can you simultaneously test and compare two similar campaigns, find out how many recipients read your mail, and continually grow and monitor your database?
Email is effective; email recipients can download, purchase, visit the site, and make inquiries immediately.  Highest response is achieved on day one.  With direct mail it could be seven to ten days before you know if
your marketing efforts have paid off.

If you have a list of people who want to hear from you and a well-crafted message, email blast services make it easy to deliver emails.  Opt-out or unsubscribe options should be included as standard courtesy.
If you need help launching your email marketing campaign, contact a freelance writer and marketing consultant who specialize in internet marketing.

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