One of the biggest mistakes that email marketers make is over-promoting their messages. According to a 2013 survey, 53% of consumers get too many emails from retailers, and 44% receive just the right amount of emails. Email is still the number one marketing channel, and mistakes in email marketing can hurt your business. Here are some mistakes you should avoid:
First, avoid using your name in the subject line. Email marketing works best when emails are tailored to the recipient. Using the same generic email to advertise your business will make your customers feel like spam and damage your reputation in the long run. Don’t include your name or company name in the email. Instead, use the company name that is most appropriate to the content of your email. That way, readers will be more inclined to open your emails.
Next, make sure you are not sending emails that contain inappropriate content. You never know who’s reading your email. If you do, they may delete it. While this doesn’t harm anyone, it could damage your brand. Fortunately, most mistakes are not negative. Here are some mistakes that you should avoid:
Another mistake that many email marketers make is using images. Although they look cleaner, images aren’t always mobile-friendly. And some email recipients may block images, so too many images in an email can result in a blank email. If you can’t afford to replace your email with an image, use alt text instead. You should also use minimal images, space them evenly, and keep their total size between 600KB and 800KB.
Finally, your subject line should be legible. Email prospects don’t want to read long, dense emails. They’ll most likely delete them or unsubscribe. Even worse, they’ll report you if they’re annoyed by an email error. Make sure you double-check your emails to avoid this common mistake. Once you’ve mastered the art of email marketing, it will be easier for your subscribers to make a purchase.
Finally, your from line is just as important as your subject line. Your from line is the first thing your audience sees in your email, and it’s as responsible for grabbing their attention. Unknown or suspicious senders make subscribers less likely to open your emails. Use a company name, employee name, or brand name to ensure your readers’ trustworthiness. Otherwise, your emails might end up in their SPAM folders.
Multiple calls to action are another mistake to avoid. Having too many calls to action in an email will confuse your recipient and make them not take the action you want them to take. Ideally, you should have just two buttons on your email – one above the fold, and another below the fold. In addition, your calls to action should be placed on a separate line, and should be clear to the reader. This way, readers can interact with it without getting confused.
If you want your subscribers to opt-in, your emails should contain an unsubscribe link. Ensure that they can easily find it and click it easily. Make sure that you respect privacy laws by placing an unsubscribe link on every email. This will help ensure the credibility of your organization and prevent complaints and fines. As you can see, email marketing is a powerful marketing strategy, but it’s important to follow these best practices.
Finally, don’t forget to consider the length of your newsletter. Aim for 3 to 6 minutes. That’s a good length, especially for people who are pressed for time. While you’re sending a newsletter, keep in mind that it’s not always the right time to make a purchase. A few minutes is better than none at all. Aside from that, you’ll be able to see the impact of your newsletter on your customers’ lives.