You'll Be an Email Marketing Pro in No Time

Running a successful email campaign isn't just about having a huge subscriber list. We look at a few ways you can become an email marketing pro!

Email marketing is known to have a staggering 3800% ROI, making it a technique nobody can afford to ignore.

To be fair, though, it does seem unapproachable. Email marketing isn't as simple as traditional marketing - it's more than just plastering your logo everywhere and waiting for people to show up.

Here are some actionable steps to becoming a true email marketing pro.

1. Identify Your Target Audience

While it seems simple, this step is often skipped in the name of expediency.

Answers such as "My target audience is everyone!" are rarely honest, and even more infrequently helpful.

What's your niche? What demographics dominate that niche?

This isn't the time for stereotypes, either. Use data.

If you don't already have a traffic analysis service like Google Analytics, you're missing out on a trove of invaluable and free data.

You can only create an accurate customer profile with hard data.

Now that you know who to target, it's time to acquire them.

2. Curate a List of Subscribers

Again, this is more than just a pop-up asking for emails.

If you want emails, you need to offer value. Give them something they can't get otherwise - an eBook that contains your secret tips or a free service.

Want more tips for growing a list? Here you go. For free!

...See what I did there?

An email marketing pro will tell you that there's more to list curation than simply offering freebies, though.

You need to offer your subscribers options. Options for what kinds of emails they want to receive and how often they want them.

Even options to unsubscribe from your list.

It's important to create multiple email lists side-by-side. You gain the advantage of extra-targeted lists when people choose exactly what they want to see.

3. Craft Compelling Emails Like You're Already an Email Marketing Pro

No, we're not putting the cart in front of the horse here.

Authority isn't granted by expertise, it's projected upon you by others. Another way you might have heard this phrased is: fake it 'til you make it.

You need great content, of course. That's a given. If you can't write well enough, hire a copywriter. You can't afford to miss the mark on this aspect because everything else will fall through if your copy is bad.

Follow the 80-20 rule: 80% of your content has to be valuable to your audience. Free information is the easiest way to go about it. 20% of your content can be sales or promotions.

Don't overwhelm them!

Lastly, only email when you have something to say! No one is waiting on the edge of their seats for the Sunday email from you.

Sorry.

4. Test, Test, Test

Once you've got your audience, your lists, and great emails, it's time to get to the less sexy part of email marketing.

Testing.

This is what really separates the email marketing pro from the schmoe. If something is successful, it only means you have a good start. You're not done yet.

Implement split testing, A/B testing, and more. Your email marketing service will probably have options to help you accomplish this.

Testing is what allows you to fully capitalize on the success of your email marketing. Don't neglect it!

What are you waiting for?

The best time to start an email list is yesterday. The second best time is today.

Go get started!

If you need some further reading, here's a guide that has a step-by-step for you. Good luck!