A few months ago, I wrote a guide entitled: 101 Writing Tips for Successful Email Marketing. In fact, many COPY TIPS subscribers have a copy. Since that time, I have worked on dozens of successful projects and have discovered some additional tips for boosting response.
1. Ask a question in the Subject line. This almost always gets the email opened. I suspect this is because questions are so much a part of everyday email between friends and colleagues. It's a natural way to begin a conversation. Just be sure your question is honest and straightforward - not cryptic, hyped, or suspicious.
2. Write a letter, not an ad. With the growing use of graphics in email, a lot of marketers are experimenting with formats that look more like an ad than a personal message. The fact is, an "email ad" is more likely to be deleted on sight than one that appears to be a personal message ? even if that message is obviously promotional.
3. Don't be afraid to go long. In the early days of email marketing, short copy was the rule. But this is changing. For some offers at least, longer copy that tells a more complete story is doing better. This is especially true when a transaction is involved, such as a subscription or sign up.
4. Beginning, middle, and end. Most click-thru responses will come from the hyperlink at the top, bottom, and middle of your email message ? in that order. A lot of marketers forget the middle hyperlink. Don't. Your response rates will suffer.
5. Show a picture. For graphics-enhanced email, consider including a picture of your product. This will tend to lift response. Of course, if your product is intangible, you'll have to think of an interesting way to present it as an image. But, trust me, it's worth the effort.
6. Link the images. If your email contains pictures and other graphics, be sure to hyperlink them. You'll be surprised how many prospects will click on these to respond.
7. Drop-text images. A drop-text is a text message that appears when your curser hovers over a graphic. This is common on web pages. In email, this technique works like a picture caption or sidebar that displays as your prospect interacts. Very powerful.
8. Bribes work well. An offer of free shipping, a discount, an invitation, or a free gift is extremely effective in email marketing. For my money (and my clients') information premiums - white papers, guides, checklists, downloads - work best.
9. Add a toll free number. Most prospects will click thru and respond to your offer online. But some prefer to call and speak with someone live. A toll free number will often boost response.
About The Author
An award-winning copywriter, Steve Slaunwhite helps companies achieve their direct mail and email marketing objectives. He can be reached at www.steveslaunwhite.com
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..My dad was wrong. I just discovered that I am... Read More
On my first newspaper assignment as a critic, I was... Read More
To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
All the famous writers I heard of could paper the... Read More
Sailors had it for years. Great explorers had it as... Read More
Did you know that your back cover information is, after... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
My bookcase take up one whole wall in the family... Read More
You can make a lot of money by writing and... Read More
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
Characters in a good novel really carry the story along... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
I'm a writing fool! 2 book proposals, 1 user's guide,... Read More
Want to write your book? But, need a blueprint on... Read More
Ah, the age-old writer's debate--to outline or not to outline?Outlines... Read More
Almost everyone could profit from enhancing their writing skills. From... Read More
Long ago, movie directors mastered the technique of creating a... Read More
Beginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as... Read More
You have a great idea for a poem, a story,... Read More
Beginning writers often tend to think of a book as... Read More
You can turn your $200 fee to write a press... Read More
DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..Right off the bat, I want to say that there... Read More
In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
He ran up the steps and knocked on the door.... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try... Read More
So you want to be a successful author? You want... Read More
Language Training - A key to Global CommunicationLanguage Training is... Read More
Day after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing... Read More
What is this annoying, insidious angst that permeates my psyche?... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
There are various forms of structure, including frameworks, work processes... Read More
Welcome to the zany ideas of a productive writer. My... Read More
You may wonder why I have chosen this title of... Read More
What possibly could I have to write about? I never... Read More
Riding on the fumes of potential, you take pen to... Read More
Clustering, also called Mind Mapping, is a great way to... Read More
Anyone who has read any of my articles on the... Read More
One morning, you open your inbox and find several e-mails... Read More
I???ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More
Writing papers and book reports has long been the bane... Read More
PASSED, PASTPassed is the past tense of pass. Past means... Read More
Human beings seem to be born with a gene for... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More
Writing |