Email might not be the latest tool that tech has given us in the Digital Age, but it’s far from obsolete—in fact, the majority of professionals still rank email as their preferred means of communication when it comes to business. But, what about consumers? Is email still an effective way of getting through to customers?
While it’s true that social media, texting, and various forms of direct and instant messaging have rapidly risen in prominence in recent years, email marketing remains a top outreach strategy for companies of every size. Keep reading to find out why!
Analyzing Email’s Enduring Popularity
In a world where technology is constantly evolving and there’s always something new on the market, why has email not fallen out of fashion yet? Of course, relatively speaking, email’s not too old—after all, it wasn’t until the 1990s that it reached mainstream usage. But, regardless, email has outlived plenty of other similarly-dated (and, in some cases, newer) types of technology, and its longevity is somewhat unusual. Accessibility, convenience, and reliability are all leading contributing factors to email’s continued relevance.
Accessibility
Perhaps the biggest reason why email is still in use is the ease of access that comes with it. Not only is creating an email account free, but users are also able to log in to their account from any Internet-connected device. This means that there are fewer financial barriers to using email, and virtually anyone can make an account for themselves—meaning that it’s a form of communication that almost everyone has.
Convenience
Like other methods of digital communication, email provides users with instant correspondence, minimizing the time between sending a message and getting a response. And, as technology has advanced, email has only become more convenient: For instance, smartphones have played a major role in maintaining email’s status as a prevalent form of communication, and people can now read and send emails from anywhere, at any time.
Smartphone apps make it easier than ever to access email on the go, preventing email from losing appeal and becoming outdated. Image courtesy of Pixabay.
Reliability
Because email has become such an integral part of the professional world, it’s widely viewed as a reliable way to get in contact with someone. Furthermore, as we mentioned earlier, email has been around for a significant amount of time, which means that certain email providers have built reputations for themselves as trusted networks with reliable service.
A Closer Look at Email Marketing
As you can see, email is still popular for good reason—which means that mass email marketing is a smart way to build your brand and expand your customer base. But, there are several different types of email marketing, so let’s take a look at some of the most common kinds of email campaigns used today.
Welcome Emails
Can something as simple as a welcome email really make a difference? The answer is yes, yes it can! Welcome emails are a straightforward, easy first step toward establishing a solid relationship with your customers. In addition to introducing the customer to your brand, a welcome email can also be used as an opportunity to thank the customer for their support and invite them to connect with your company in other ways, like on social media.
Promotional Campaigns
If you have a sale going on or have just debuted a new product, then a promotional email campaign is a great way to get the word out and boost sales. Unlike a social media post, a promotional email will be sent directly to the customer, increasing their chances of seeing it and taking action. You can also use a promotional campaign to send coupons and advertise limited-time deals, like seasonal sales or holiday promotions.
Remember that a lot of your customers will be reading your email on their smartphone—which means that you need to be using responsive design so that your message displays correctly on both a computer and a phone. Image courtesy of Pixabay.
Newsletters
Sending out a regular newsletter is a compelling, budget-friendly means by which you can increase customer engagement and maintain awareness of your brand. Whether you actually have news to share or just want to provide some updates about what’s been going on behind the scenes at your company, a newsletter should offer the customer some brief but dynamic insight into your business and encourage them to stay tuned as you continue to grow.
See the Benefits of Email Marketing for Yourself
In addition to being highly effective, email marketing is also cost-efficient. And, while it’s certainly true that a successful email marketing campaign is loaded with nuance, you don’t have to be an expert in tech or marketing in order to pull off one. There is a vast array of tools, resources, and templates that you can find online that make it as painless as possible to build a strong, professional-looking mass email campaign that will have you seeing results in no time.
