E-mailing Strategies Online

Jim Mack offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print.
Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum.
-----------
PUBLICATION GUIDELINES
- You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety.
- Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity.
- Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only.
- If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure that all URLs and email addresses are active links.
- Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to jim@whoisjimmack.com
- Article Marketer (www.ArticleMarketer.com) has distributed this article on behalf of the author. Article Marketer does not own this article, please respect the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this article.
-----------
Article Title: E-mailing Strategies Online
Author: Jim Mack
Category: Advertising, Network Marketing, Ask an Expert
Word Count: 570
Keywords: automated marketing systems, marketing systems, autoresponse, automation, prosperity
Author's Email Address: jim@whoisjimmack.com
Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com
------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------

As the end of the first quarter draws near, it's time to review your e-mail efforts to determine if you're still on the road to success. Though sales and response rates are key indicators to how well your program is performing, there are 12 critical areas where you can rate your program's effectiveness to forecast how well you can expect the rest of the year to go.

The questions were initially proposed by Andy Goldman, an associate director of my company's e-mail practice. "These questions represent categories that are core areas for analysis with our clients' e-mail marketing programs," said Goldman. "They reflect the entire customer journey with e-mail, and they lead to a consideration of areas for growth and optimization."

Will your e-mail efforts succeed in 2006? Find out by answering these questions for your organization's programs, then answer them for your top two competitors. Comparing results will offer some clear direction of how the rest of 2006 should be managed.

The E-Mail Marketing Success Forecast

* Opt-in environment:

o How simple is it to access your opt-in environment? Is your subscription link buried on your Web site?

o How well does the opt-in process explain all the communication types available and establish relevance?

o Does your opt-in process decrease attrition by providing examples of the content people will receive if they sign up?

o Is there a place where potential subscribers can see samples or access live versions of prior e-mail content (old newsletter versions, etc.)?

o Is the registration process labor intensive? (If e-mail isn't one of the first four requested fields, you run the risk of losing up to 50 percent of interested parties.)

* Creative and content:

o Does your subject line advise the e-mail's purpose and the offer?

o Is the copy format readable under all e-mail circumstance? Does it render well on a mobile device or BlackBerry? Are the text versions actually designed?

o Is the message visually optimized? For example, are images strategically placed to move the eye toward the call to action?

o Does the e-mail's layout support the brand? Does it carry a consistent brand message through the entire user flow?

* List and usage:

o Do you have an established cadence that's clearly communicated to the readers (e.g., a monthly newsletter or seasonal update)?

o Do you have a third-party list rental strategy? For example, are you renting lists your competitors just used? Do your offers under-perform compared to your competitors'?

o Do your programs have triggers built into them? Meaning, when someone opts in, does she receive a welcome e-mail? When she downloads a white paper, does she get a follow-up e-mail to verify receipt and take advantage of a cross- or up-sell opportunity?

Jim Mack is the leading authority in teaching actual methods - proven, practical strategies that work. In fact, Jim truly lives the principles he teaches and is the epitome of leading by example. See him at http://www.whoisjimmack.com and http://www.passivecashcow.com
------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------