With all the buzz about Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, it can seem like there’s a new way to market your business every five minutes.  Social media marketing is wonderful, but all the fast-paced changes can make it easy to forget a real powerhouse that you have at your fingertips: email.

That’s right, email like the email you checked just this morning.  In fact, if you’ve checked your email several times today, you’re in good company.  About 91% of consumers use email, often checking it via mobile devices several times per day.  Think about it: every time your customer checks their email, that’s another chance for you to get your message to them.

But What About Social Media?

Social media marketing works best when you can marry it to your email marketing.  A carefully thought-out marketing plan will allow both strategies to work synergistically: your email list can help direct people to your social media content, and your social media content can direct people to sign up for your email list.  

For example, your social media content might include interesting videos related to the lifestyle associated with your brand.  (A food brand might include cooking videos.)  A link on social media can direct those who see it to sign up for your email content, which can contain coupons or other things to woo consumers.  Likewise, your emails can contain links to your social media pages, which will allow those who find you via the email list to also follow you on social media.  It’s a feedback loop, with the customer getting something to reward them at each stage, and with your company getting something it needs, too–the customer’s attention.

Multiple ways for your customers to access your content ensures that you have multiple chances to connect with them.

What Are Customers Looking For In Email Marketing?

Your customer’s attention is most likely to be grabbed if your emails contain something that makes them worth opening.  This can be news about your company, like advance notice of a sale or a new product line.  Perhaps it’s specialized content or video that your customers would find interesting.  Or perhaps it’s a reward for opening the email, such as a coupon.  While customers say they sign up for newsletters in order to save money, email marketing is an effective tool to drive revenue for companies.  Customers feel like they’re winning, and you’ve ensured that next time they see your email in their inbox, they’ll open it.

What Are Companies Looking For In Email Marketing?

Companies are always looking for a marketing strategy that is cost-effective, efficient, and simple to use.  Email ticks all of these boxes.  Designing a great email campaign is much less expensive than utilizing television, radio, or billboards, making it a tool that can be utilized equally well by large companies and budget-conscious small businesses.

If your company isn’t using email as part of their internet marketing plan, then you’re missing out on a vital chance to get information to your customers.  As one of the most effective, accessible, and budget-friendly strategies available, email is too good to ignore.

Sources:

Here Are 5 Reasons Why Email Marketing Still Works – www.inc.com

Why Marketers Should Keep Sending You Emails – www.mckinsey.com