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Anne Clark
New Email Marketing Changes for Google and Yahoo Starting 1st February 2024

New Email Marketing Changes for Google and Yahoo Starting 1st February 2024

by | Feb 7, 2024 | Business, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing

Starting from 1st February 2024, Google and Yahoo will implement new regulations affecting how bulk emails are managed. These changes aim to reduce spam and improve email security and deliverability.

Key Changes:

  1. Bulk Email Threshold:
    • The new regulations specifically target senders of bulk emails, defined as those sending to 5,000 or more recipients.
  2. Spam Management:
    • Senders are required to keep spam complaints below 0.3% to ensure their emails are not flagged as spam.
  3. Email List Hygiene:
    • Only active email addresses should be targeted. Inactive email addresses need to be regularly cleaned from your lists.
  4. Sender Domain Requirements:
    • Emails must be sent from the sender’s own domain (not generic email addresses like Gmail) to enhance sender reputation and improve email branding.

Required Actions:

  1. One-Click Unsubscribe:
    • Include an easy-to-find unsubscribe link in emails, allowing recipients to opt-out effortlessly.
  2. Monitor Spam Rate:
    • Use tools (e.g., Google Postmaster) to monitor and maintain spam complaints below the 0.3% threshold.
  3. Clean Email Lists:
    • Regularly check and remove inactive email addresses to maintain list health and compliance.
  4. Authenticate Sending Domain:
    • Implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain to verify your emails and prevent spoofing. This is crucial for ensuring your emails reach the inbox.

Importance:

  • Compliance with these new rules is essential for maintaining the deliverability of your email marketing campaigns.
  • Even though the threshold is set for bulk emails to 5,000 or more recipients, it’s recommended that all senders, regardless of list size, adhere to these guidelines to avoid potential issues.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your email marketing efforts remain effective and compliant with the new Google and Yahoo regulations. This not only helps in reducing spam but also in building trust with your audience through responsible email marketing practices.

How to Set Up Your Mailchimp Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Set Up Your Mailchimp Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

by | Nov 26, 2023 | Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Mailchimp

How to Set Up Your Mailchimp Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a Mailchimp account can open up new avenues for email marketing, allowing you to engage with your audience more effectively. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you get started with Mailchimp, from creating an account to sending your first email campaign.

Step 1: Sign Up for a Mailchimp Account

  1. Visit the Mailchimp website: Go to Mailchimp’s homepage.
  2. Click on ‘Sign Up Free’: You’ll find this button on the top right corner of the homepage.
  3. Enter your email, username, and password: Follow the prompts to enter your details. Mailchimp requires a strong password, so be sure to mix upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.
  4. Activate your account: Check your email for a confirmation message from Mailchimp and click the activation link provided.

 

Step 2: Set Up Your Profile

  1. Fill in your personal information: After activation, complete your profile by providing details like your name and contact information.
  2. Set your time zone: This ensures that your email campaigns are sent according to your local time.
  3. Add your address: Legal requirements necessitate that your physical business address is included in every email footer to comply with anti-spam laws.

Step 3: Create Your Audience

  1. Navigate to the Audience section: This can usually be found in the sidebar menu under ‘Audience’.
  2. Create an audience: If you’re new to Mailchimp, you’ll need to set up your first audience. Enter details such as the audience name and default email address.
  3. Import your contacts: If you already have an email list, you can import it via CSV file, or manually enter subscriber details.

Step 4: Customise Your Email Preferences

  1. Set up your email templates: Go to the ‘Templates’ section and choose from pre-designed templates or create your own.
  2. Personalise your template: Customise your chosen template with your brand’s logo, colours, and fonts to make your emails recognisable to your subscribers.

Step 5: Design Your First Campaign

  1. Go to the Campaigns section: Click ‘Create Campaign’.
  2. Choose your campaign type: Select ‘Email’ and then choose between a regular campaign and an automated one.
  3. Customise your campaign: Add content and design your email. You can use drag-and-drop builders, which are user-friendly even for beginners.

Step 6: Test and Send Your Campaign

  1. Preview and test: Always send a test email to yourself to check the design and content before sending it to your audience.
  2. Schedule or send your campaign: Choose ‘Send Now’ to send your email immediately or ‘Schedule’ to send it at a later time.

Step 7: Analyse the Results

  1. Check your reports: After sending your emails, monitor how they perform. Mailchimp provides detailed reports that include open rates, click rates, and subscriber activity.
  2. Adjust based on feedback: Use the insights from your reports to improve your future email campaigns.

 

Setting up your Mailchimp account is just the beginning of your email marketing journey. With its comprehensive set of tools and features, Mailchimp not only helps you manage your email lists and campaigns but also provides analytics that can guide your marketing strategies. Remember, the key to successful email marketing is consistency and adaptation based on recipient feedback and engagement metrics.

100 Clickable Subject Lines For Your Newsletter

100 Clickable Subject Lines For Your Newsletter

by | Sep 14, 2023 | Business, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Mailchimp

Are you feeling frustrated that your subscribers aren’t opening your newsletters? Crafting compelling email subject lines can greatly boost open rates. Here are 100 email subject lines to help you capture the attention of your readers:

1. *Exclusive Offer* : Unlock it Inside!
2. Sneak Peek: Tomorrow’s Big Reveal!
3. Missed Our Webinar? Here’s the Replay!
4. An Invitation Just for You, [First Name].
5. Your Personalized Discount Inside.
6. Urgent: Last Chance to Save 50%!
7. Congrats! You’ve Earned a Special Reward.
8. Ready for a Surprise?
9. Breaking News: Product Launch Tomorrow.
10. A Thank You Gift Inside
11. Don’t Open This (Unless You Love Surprises)!
12. Flash Sale: 3 Hours Only!
13. You Asked, We Listened: New Feature Alert!
14. The Ultimate Guide to [Topic] is Here.
15. Hot Off the Press: [Topic/News]
16. Unopened: Your Special Offer is Expiring!
17. Calling All [Profession/Group]! This One’s for You.
18. Secrets of [Industry/Topic] Revealed.
19. Your VIP Access: Behind the Scenes.
20. Let’s Celebrate: Exclusive Event Invite.
21. [First Name], You Won’t Want to Miss This.
22. Last Day: Grab Your Early Bird Discount!
23. Urgent: Update Your Account Info.
24. We Miss You! Come Back with a 20% Off.
25. [Product/Service] is Back in Stock!
26. Introducing Our New [Product/Service].
27. Your Feedback = 15% Off Next Purchase.
28. Just Dropped: [New Collection/Product].
29. Time-Sensitive: Important Account Notice.
30. Your Exclusive First Look Inside.
31. Curious About [Topic]? Find Out More.
32. 24-Hour Flash Deal – Act Fast!
33. Our Gift to You: Free Shipping Today!
34. Your Front-Row Seat Awaits…
35. Can We Get Your Opinion, [First Name]?
36. The Results Are In…
37. Unlock Your Full Potential with [Product/Service].
38. Limited Seats: Reserve Your Spot!
39. Want to Boost Your [Topic]? Here’s How.
40. [Product] Just Got an Upgrade. Check It Out!
41. Did You See This?
42. Meet the Experts: [Event/Date].
43. Your Perfect Match: [Product]!
44. Big News! We’re Expanding.
45. Thanks for Joining! Start with this Special.
46. The Countdown Begins: [Event/Product Launch].
47. [Topic]: Myths vs. Facts.
48. Today Only: Buy One, Get One Free!
49. Say Hello to Our Newest [Product/Service].
50. Your Custom Recommendations Inside.
51. Early Access for Our Top Subscribers.
52. Next Stop: Massive Savings!
53. Discover the Magic of [Product/Feature].
54. Hey [First Name], Did You Forget Something?
55. Attention: Price Drop Alert!
56. Only a Few Left in Stock. Hurry!
57. A Personal Message from [CEO/Influencer Name].
58. Welcome to the Family! Special Inside.
59. Exclusive Webinar: Spots Filling Up!
60. Breaking the Silence on [Topic/Issue].
61. Be the First: Pre-order Now!
62. You’re in Luck! Special Deal Inside.
63. [First Name], This One’s Tailored for You.
64. An Offer Too Good to Refuse.
65. Just for You: Unlock Your Private Deal.
66. Discover What’s Trending Now.
67. Top Picks Just for You.
68. Let’s Set the Record Straight on [Topic].
69. [First Name], Let’s Catch Up!
70. Are You Ready for the Big Day?
71. New Arrivals: Get Them Before They’re Gone!
72. Members Only: Exclusive Access Inside.
73. It’s Official! We’ve Made a Change.
74. Only Hours Left to Save Big.
75. We Saved You a Seat: Join Us!
76. Dive Deep into [Topic].
77. Surprise! Bonus Inside.
78. Top 5 [Industry] Trends to Watch.
79. Need a Little Boost? Check This Out.
80. Your Monthly Dose of Inspiration.
81. Don’t Keep This Secret Offer Waiting.
82. Thank You for Your Loyalty! Here’s a Token.
83. Unleash the Power of [Product/Service].
84. Our Best Sale Yet. Don’t Miss Out!
85. We Thought You’d Like This.
86. Wait! Your Exclusive Offer Inside.
87. Something Special is Coming…
88. Spotlight On: [Product/Service].
89. Join the Revolution: [Product/Service Launch].
90. [First Name], Your Adventure Begins Here.
91. It’s Now or Never: Closing Soon.
92. Hey! You Left Items in Your Cart.
93. Unlock the Secrets of [Topic].
94. A Special Invitation for Our Top Customers.
95. Take a Peek: What’s Inside?
96. Ready to Level Up, [First Name]?
97. This Week’s Must-Have Deals.
98. Your Golden Ticket Awaits.
99. Did You Hear the Buzz?
100. Thanks for Being Awesome! Here’s a Token.

Remember, the effectiveness of an email subject line depends on understanding your audience and the context. It’s essential to test different lines to see which resonates most with your subscribers.

How to determine your Return On Investment (ROI) on your email marketing

How to determine your Return On Investment (ROI) on your email marketing

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Business, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Mailchimp

Calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) for your email marketing campaign involves comparing the revenue generated from the campaign against the costs associated with running it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you determine your ROI for email marketing:

  1. Define Your Goals and Objectives

Start by setting clear goals for your email marketing campaign. Are you aiming to generate direct sales, increase website traffic, gain new subscribers, or achieve some other objective? Clearly define what success looks like for your campaign.

  1. Calculate Costs

Determine all the costs associated with your email marketing campaign. These may include expenses like:

– Email marketing platform or software subscription fees
– Costs of creating email content (copywriting, design, images)
– Costs of any third-party tools or services used (e.g., analytics, automation)
– Staff salaries or contractor fees for campaign planning and execution

  1. Track Revenue

Measure the direct revenue generated as a result of your email marketing campaign. This might include:

– Sales directly attributed to the campaign (tracked through unique promo codes, links)
– Conversions from email subscribers who made a purchase after receiving the email
– Any other revenue-related metrics that align with your campaign goals

  1. Exclude Other Factors

Make sure to exclude any revenue or costs that are not directly related to your email marketing campaign. This helps ensure an accurate ROI calculation.

  1. ROI Calculation

ROI = (Revenue – Costs) / Costs * 100

For example, if your email marketing campaign generated $10,000 in revenue and the total campaign costs were $2,000:

ROI = ($10,000 – $2,000) / $2,000 * 100 = 400%

  1. Interpretation

A positive ROI indicates that your email marketing campaign was profitable. A negative ROI suggests that your campaign costs exceeded the generated revenue. A higher ROI percentage implies a more successful campaign in terms of returns relative to costs.

  1. Consider Other Metrics

While ROI is a crucial metric, it’s also important to consider other performance indicators, such as click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, open rate, subscriber growth, and customer lifetime value. These metrics provide additional insights into the effectiveness of your campaign beyond just revenue and costs.

  1. Continual Analysis and Improvement

Regularly analyze your email marketing campaign’s performance and adjust your strategies accordingly. Test different subject lines, content formats, send times, and targeting to optimize your results and improve your ROI over time.

  1. Segmentation and Personalization

Utilise segmentation and personalisation techniques to tailor your email content to specific audience segments. This can lead to higher engagement, better conversion rates, and ultimately a higher ROI.

  1. Long-Term Considerations

Remember that email marketing’s impact might extend beyond immediate revenue. Engaged subscribers can become long-term customers, and the branding and relationship-building aspects of email marketing can contribute to customer loyalty and repeat business.

By following these steps and regularly evaluating your email marketing campaign’s performance, you can effectively determine its ROI and make informed decisions to improve your marketing strategies.

 

How your business can grow its returns with email marketing

How your business can grow its returns with email marketing

by | May 8, 2023 | Business, Customer Service, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Mailchimp

Email marketing gives you immediate access to your audience by allowing you to send your content directly to their inboxes, which can lead to increased conversions and brand loyalty.

According to research email marketing has the highest return on investment than any other form of digital marketing.

Here are some best practices for using email marketing in your business:

The first step is to build a list.

You can’t market to anyone if you don’t have their contact information, and the best way to do that is by building an email list.

You want to develop an offering of some form that entices your target market to subscribe to your list. For example; a retail store may offer a discount on their first purchase, and service-based business might offer something that showcases their expertise and gives their audience a sample of how their services will benefit them. Give a solution to the most common problem your target market may have.

Send emails with personalized content that engages your readers.

Personalised content

  • is more effective,
  • helps build a relationship with customers, and
  • helps you stand out from competitors.

Personalised emails are more likely to be read and acted upon by your customers, which can increase customer satisfaction levels if used appropriately.

Automate where possible

When someone signs up to your mailing list, create an automation where you welcome them and introduce your business and services in more detail so they can get to know you.

Some kinds of automation you can also add that have great ROI (return on investment) are

Anniversary or birthday emails – make your audience feel special. Sending a birthday or anniversary email is a wonderful way to make a customer feel special. You can add an incentive for them to buy products as part of their birthday wishes, for example: when they spend $50, they will receive a birthday gift valued at $30.

Abandon Cart or Recovery emails – often people can get distracted on a website and forget to finish their purchases, a simple email saying you held their items for them can see purchases completed.

Some interesting statistics on abandoned cart emails by Moosend

  • A staggering average of 69% of online carts are being abandoned by users 
  • 45% of cart abandonment emails are opened; 21% of all are clicked on, while 50% of the users clicked purchase. 
  • Shipping-related reasons contribute to over 60% of carts being abandoned. 
  • Setting up an automated cart abandonment email is a great way to lower your cart abandonment rates.
  • Offer free shipping to really boost the conversion of your cart abandonment emails.

Perhaps incorporating free shipping more regularly in your marketing offers could be a great conversion for your business, obviously, you would have set guidelines around this such as minimum spend amount, or limited time offer. 

Consistency

Send out a regular newsletter is important, this can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Consistency is key. Your target market has given you permission to be able to email them, so don’t allow this opportunity to be missed. Life gets busy, so being consistent is a gentle way of reminding your audience you are still there if they need you!

Content

Make sure your content is valuable to your audience. It’s a privilege that they’ve allowed you to email them directly, so treat them with that same respect. Where possible throughout your content, don’t be afraid to insert their first name.  

When creating your newsletter, create the value of sharing your content and showcasing your expertise.  

Whilst we have AI here to help you along, only YOU can make it a personal experience for your audience. 

Need Help?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the whole process, then feel free to reach out to me for assistance. Creating opt-in, automations, funnels and newsletters is one of my specialities.

Some wise words for you

David Newman says “Email has an ability many channels don’t: creating valuable, personal touches—at scale.”

Ramsay Leimenstoll says “A small list that wants exactly what you’re offering is better than a bigger list that isn’t committed.”

Ann Handley says “Make the customer the hero of your story”

Karl Murray says “Focus on growing your list all the time as newer subscribers are more engaged, adding to healthier open rates and ROI.”

Why email marketing is a MUST for any business

Why email marketing is a MUST for any business

by | Nov 8, 2022 | Business, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing

Why email marketing is a MUST for any business

If you’re like me and have a business, then you know that marketing is one of the most important parts of running it. And if you’ve been around for any length of time, you’ve probably seen a lot of the same old stuff when it comes to marketing: Google ads, Facebook ads, print advertising…and so on. But what if I told you that there’s a form of advertising that can help your business stand out from all the others? What if I said this form of advertising was proven to bring in more revenue? The answer is email marketing—but don’t just take my word for it!

Email marketing gives you intimate access to a customer’s inbox.

Email marketing is the most personal and intimate of all digital marketing channels.

Email gives you a direct line to your customers.

It’s the only channel that can be personalized to each customer.

You can use email to send targeted messages to specific customers, or broadcast a message out to all customers at once, depending on what type of campaign you want to run.

Email advertising is proven to make money.

Email advertising is one of the most cost effective ways to advertise. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, email marketing has a higher return on investment than other forms of advertising. When it comes to digital advertising, there is no denying that email has been and will continue to be one of the most effective ways for marketers to get their message in front of their target audience at scale.

Email marketing can be more effective than other forms of advertising

There are many reasons why email can outperform other forms of digital marketing and why you should consider using it as part of your overall strategy:

  • Email is more targeted than any other form of online media (including social). This means that your audience is more likely to be interested in what you have to say because they’ve opted-in or been actively “marketed” towards this content through previous interactions with your business (e.g., newsletter signup).

Email gets people clicking through your website.

You can’t just send out an email and expect people to click through your website like they used to. The key is to have a call-to-action (CTA) in your email that encourages people to click through. This helps you turn more leads into customers, as well as increase the number of sales you make from each lead.

The best way for businesses to use email marketing is by creating newsletters and promoting them on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, or even LinkedIn if it’s more appropriate for your business. You should also include a CTA in these emails that encourages people who receive them to visit the website or sign up for other services offered by your company.

For example: “Learn how we did it here.”

You get an invaluable opportunity to re-connect with inactive customers.

The best way to re-connect with inactive customers is by sending out a newsletter. This is an incredibly effective way to re-engage with your audience and let them know about new products, services or promotions that are happening. By doing this you’re reminding them of what your business has to offer and how it can benefit them.

You can also use newsletters as a way of thanking people for their support or loyalty over the years, which will help build up trust in the brand name going forward. Another great thing about using newsletters is that they’re easy enough for anyone on your team to create!

Email marketing lets you reach customers in a personal way that other media don’t offer.

One of the biggest advantages of email marketing is that it is a personal medium. When you send an email to someone, you are directly reaching out to them, and they know that it’s coming from YOU. There’s no middleman involved; no third party who may or may not be delivering your message in the way you intended.

Email also gives you more control over what information gets sent out. For example, when someone signs up for your newsletter or other updates through social media channels like Facebook Messenger, they might have to accept several permissions before receiving any messages from your business—and even after accepting these permissions, there’s no guarantee that all messages will get through anyway!

With email marketing campaigns, however, everything goes straight into the inboxes of people who have already granted permission by subscribing via email address or phone number (or both). And if some of those subscribers decide later on that they don’t want any more information from one company? They can just unsubscribe—no hoops required!

I encourage you, if you haven’t already, to implement your email marketing from an opt-in sequence to regular newsletters and special broadcasts for special events.  If you have any questions about how to get started or what tools are best for your needs, feel free to contact me here.