Do you use email marketing or newsletters to keep in touch with your prospects and clients?
It’s a question I’ve asked several times this week, both over coffee and in email chats.
Most of the time the answer is no…
On the occasions it has been yes, it’s yes but…
Email Marketing Works (Better Than Search & Social Too!)
I’ll hold my hand up here. Email is not my forte. I should practice what I preach a LOT more.
Oddly, email marketing hasn’t been mentioned much here on the blog. Probably because I know I should do it more and feel a bit of a fraud chatting away about it.
Despite my lack of emailing, I still do some and it does work. So once again, I’m proof that perfection is not necessary!
There’s an increasing trend to send nice, pretty email newsletters with graphics. The “Yes, but…” crowd above know first hand that pretty doesn’t equal effective.
I use Getresponse to manage my email list. There has always been the option to send HTML mails. Now as soon as you enter the create newsletter section you’re faced with even more templates and styles.
You even get to preview how your newsletter looks on 20 email platforms.
So, why do I always send plain email?
It’s still HTML so the open and click rate tracking is still there. I use no graphics, no logos, no fancy stuff.
It’s not because I am graphically challenged!
It’s simply because plain works better for me.
That’s possibly because many email clients turn off images as default. Often the email you think people are receiving is not what they actually see. Let me show you an example:
Email I see
Email newsletter, not a great start!
Email they think they have sent me
Very nice – but pointless
There is actually text on that email but it’s shoved so far down the page I need to scroll. I’m busy, I am sure you are too. You need to grab me in that first paragraph.
Whether it’s email or your website, using graphics to replace text is not a great idea.
What’s surprises me is recent stats state that 65% of people prefer email that’s mainly images. Obviously, I am one of the 35% who prefer text emails.
BUT
I have tested plain emails and fancier newsletters with images. Not huge tests, granted. But tests nonetheless. And for me, plain email gets clicked through more every time.
For the, “Yes, but…” email marketers out there try something simpler. Forget the columns, the pictures and multi-coloured newsletter style mails and give single column text only emails a go. Test it and see which format works best for you.
All the “No” people…
What are you waiting for? Email isn’t dead and won’t be for a long while!
Over to you…
Do you use email marketing? How do you prefer to send your emails? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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This is something I am looking at changing Jan, I always worry that people are getting a load of gobbledegook!
Jo Harrison recently posted..Education Never Ends
Hi Jo, I’d love to know if a simpler format works better for you too. Thanks for popping in and your comment
I’ll let you know!
I never cared for graphic newsletters. I”m with you – stick to text!
Bonnie Gean recently posted..Blogging with John Chow Review, Part 4
I don’t like receiving them, Bonnie. And creating them takes longer too.
It depends on what the email is promoting, I think. For businesses like ours, plain is probably best. For a consumer branded product, for example, images might be much more important.
Ginny Carter recently posted..5 Social Media Activities to Stop Doing in 2013
I’m not a branding fan, Ginny. I guess it’s different when you’re Apple, or Nike or Coke etc. But for us little guys, I’d rather get my message across than worry about colours, logos and looking good.
It’s one of those, “test it and see what happens” times
Your brand isn’t just the logo dear heart. In your case, you can brand yourself as the WordPress authority.
You may not feel inclined to call yourself that – but it’s what I see when I come here to this blog.
I’d venture to say that others see it too!
Bonnie Gean recently posted..Video Sunday – Episode #5
I know, Bonnie
But people seem to think a logo and company coloured emails are important. It’s the words that matter 