There are a lot of great reasons to add GIFs to your emails:

• Tell stories in a visually engaging way
• Command attention for calls to action: animated “buy now,” “read more” and “donate” buttons motivate clicks
• Showcase product functionality without lengthy text paragraphs
• Explain difficult concepts with simple visuals
• Convey cause and effect, or product benefits
• Offer easy to understand, step-by-step how-to tutorials
• Present multiple products or services in a small space, like slideshows
• Encourage video clicks with animated video previews
• Add humor to emails, set the mood and express emotion to lend a personalized, human element

Animated GIFs make for livelier, more engaging emails that earn more clicks and ultimately boost sales, traffic, and fundraiser donations.

Here’s how to add them in VerticalResponse:

1. Click on an image to edit
2. Click “Replace” in the left sidebar
3. Select “Upload Your Own Image”
4. Upload your GIF

That’s all there is to it! You can even add an animated GIF as a background image, like so:

1. Select the row where you’d like the background GIF to appear
2. Click the “Background” tab
3. Click “Replace” in the left sidebar
4. Select “Upload Your Own Image”
5. Upload your GIF

Have questions? Need help? No problem! Head on over to the VerticalResponse Help Center to get answers to your questions.

Make your emails stand out from competitors and resonate with your audience. Use VerticalResponse’s new animated GIF feature to create powerful marketing emails that generate results.

The post Earn more clicks with animated GIFs appeared first on VerticalResponse.

Owned media has several advantages over paid media, including being far more cost-effective and immune to unexpected algorithm changes. You may also alter the narrative for your brand. An engaged email list is a company’s biggest asset since it is a portion of owned media or media channels your organization has complete control over.

Building and maintaining an email list in a specific place is easier than you think. Each year, the email database declines by 22.5%. Because individuals change, your contact email addresses are transferred from one business to another, and some people choose not to receive emails. An organization that understands its importance has made expansion a top priority.

How Email Lists Assist Companies in Expanding:

You can increase the size of your email list for various reasons. The most apparent argument is that you have more prospective consumers or clients the more individuals subscribe to your list. Customers prefer to interact with firms that remember them when they email them about new items, information, or sale announcements since it’s a personal and professional form of communication. Large companies like email marketing because it offers significant sales returns for a little investment.

Email lists are beneficial because they enable you to communicate with and establish relationships with your audience. Brands interact with their audience on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

In the digital age, an email is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their clients. New customers may visit your website to learn more about your brand by checking out your social media presence. However, because there are so many brands on social media and so many brands engage with their customers and visitors through email marketing, there is no guarantee that people will see your content or even remember you if you only interact with them through social media.

Why you should create an email list:

If you’re new to online business, it may be mysterious why you require your email list. But there are numerous advantages. In actuality, the most valuable asset for the majority of well-established online businesses is their email list.

Advantages of creating your email list:

It costs less

The price of digital advertising is flying while its effectiveness is declining. Comparatively, sending frequent emails to your email list is very affordable.

Emails are private

You can customize emails, but advertisements cannot. Additionally, unlike on social media, you may automate emails so that they are sent depending on consumer activity.

You can much more accurately aim

The targeting on Facebook and other ad networks is deteriorating. You may target certain things with emails, such as demographics (city, gender, and birthday) or behavior (bought product, clicking on the email, etc.)

Your list is yours

You would not need to rely on any other business or platform. Your email list is incredibly precious, and it belongs to you.

Email also use to establish connections

Digital advertisements naturally adopt a “spray and pray” strategy to communicate with as many people as possible. You can tailor automated emails that follow a customer’s journey using email. Ads won’t allow you to do that.

How can you grow a massive email list?

Here are three strategies for partnering with others and creating win-win alliances that expand your respective email databases and increase sales:

1. Partner with Local Business:

Indirect competition is common among neighborhood businesses, and many share your customer base. Ask them if they’d like to collaborate on a regional email marketing campaign by getting in touch with them.

• Exchange emails promoting each other’s weekly offers.
• Offer each other’s email list and describe the advantages of joining.
• Make a unique package. For instance, a restaurant and movie theatre might advertise a “couple’s date night” package. A win-win-win scenario is where each business provides a discount, customers sign up for both businesses’ mailing lists, and they enjoy an affordable night out.
• Create a weekly “community deals” newsletter in collaboration with other local businesses. Every company may post its weekly offers and assist in promoting the list to its clientele.

2. Collaborate with internet companies

Have a local, national, or international clientele? Consider possible business partners that do not directly compete with you but have the comparable size and client demographics by looking outside the boundaries of your zip code.

For instance, an online billing software company might collaborate with an online bookkeeping company. Alternatively, a business that sells dog food might collaborate with a business that offers dog toys.

Ideas for partnerships with online email include:

• Encourage the sale of related goods and services.
• Promote one another’s lead magnets, such as eBooks, to get clients to join one another’s email lists.
• Customers should be aware of special offers; for instance, if someone buys dog food from one company, they might offer them a 15% discount if they join the mailing list of the dog toy company.
• Establish affiliate relationships so that one business benefits financially when a customer of the other makes a purchase.
• Create packages for joint venture partnerships where you combine two goods or services into one reduced deal.

Many online businesses exist, so do your research and identify the top candidates. They offer complementary goods and services rather than ones in direct competition with you. Similar to local partnerships, it benefits everyone as the consumers receive a fantastic deal, and both companies split the marketing expense and profit from sales. It’s a fantastic way to instantly grow your Audience and boost sales through dependable referrals.

3. Work together with charitable organizations

You can reach a targeted audience through nonprofit organizations eager to contribute money to a worthwhile cause. You can make the deal more enticing by providing something in return, like a good or service.

Measures include:

• Hold a unique, time-limited sale where a portion of the proceeds is donated to a charitable cause. Opportunities abound during holidays, membership drives, and special occasions.
• Anyone who joins a nonprofit organization’s email list can receive a special coupon. To deliver the coupon and carry on marketing to its Audience, the nonprofit will share its subscribers with you.
• Give a portion of the proceeds from each sale to a charity that is important to your clientele. As long as the program is profitable for everyone involved, you can continue it.

Nonprofit organizations will promote your email list to their members, donors, and email subscribers. The relationship benefits both parties. Because they receive a portion of sales (or another type of donation, like an in-kind donation), you gain more subscribers and customers, and customers get a great deal while supporting a good cause.

How to successfully form email partnerships?

You should have picked up on a theme by now: to make email partnerships work, you must establish a win-win-win scenario. All partners profit as a result, but customers gain the most.

More advice for effective email collaboration is provided below:

Collaborate with a company has a similar Audience:

Cooperate with those with a similar audience to your own and avoid going head-to-head (who are easy to work with). Make sure the relationship benefits both parties equally and both parties receive benefits.

Never send spam to email partners’ subscribers

When you form partnerships, it’s a good idea to be clear about how you intend to use your expanding email list.

Prioritize subscribers

What will encourage them to join your mailing list? List of your partner? Then choose how to design a package or program that motivates subscribers.

Try it out with only one potential companion first

If your efforts are successful, consider forming new alliances or teaming up with several companies to run a single promotion. If you fail, figure out what went wrong and fix it: the wrong partner, target market, or offer.

Conclusion:

Any firm must have email lists for marketing purposes. They are an excellent means of getting in touch with your clients and subscribers. Your email lists will increase if you use social media, CTAs, giveaway competitions, collaboration with other companies, blog authoring, and guest blogging.

The post 3 Ways to Double Your Email List and Boost Sales With Email Partnerships appeared first on VerticalResponse.

The good news is you don’t need a big budget or a lot of time to leverage the power of email marketing for your local nonprofit.

In fact, a simple email strategy is often best for small nonprofits. Simplicity lends local appeal and suggests you’re frugal with your marketing efforts, which in turn fosters trust and encourages involvement.

To that end, here are seven simple (yet powerful) email marketing ideas your budget- and time-strapped local nonprofit can use to boost participation and motivate donations to help your cause.

1. Write short, sweet and friendly emails

You’ve seen the multi-topic email newsletters the big nonprofits send – they’re practically magazines. As a local nonprofit organization, you don’t need an entire publishing team to spread your message, and you don’t need to look like a professional publication.

Instead, keep your emails short and sweet. Don’t stuff multiple bullet points into a single email; rather, share a single message in each email.

Pretend you’re writing to a friend. Your tone can be casual and to the point, and you don’t need any graphics. When you take this approach, you can craft compelling emails in less than 15 minutes.

In addition to saving time and money, this strategy enables you to send hyper-focused emails that motivate action. It also makes it easy to keep your audience engaged: since your content is spread out over multiple emails, and each will only cover one item, nothing will be overshadowed by other news.

2. Regularly update members and subscribers

Commit to sending at least one email per week. This is easy when each email contains a single message.

Send news about your organization, commentary on new legislation, updates on important fundraising initiatives and even relevant tips your audience can use to contribute to your cause without donating. For example, an environmentally conscious nonprofit might tell subscribers how to reduce their carbon footprints at home.

Again, you don’t need long emails and fancy graphics to engage your audience. In many cases, a single paragraph will do.

The goal is to get in front of your audience regularly, so you’re top of mind when they’re ready to get involved or donate.

3. Show your impact

One of the most email marketing strategies for local nonprofits is to show subscribers how you’re making the world a better place. How are their contributions helping? What projects are you working on? Who, specifically, have you helped – and how?

Share stories that illustrate real, measurable impact. Did you save 100 dogs from the shelter? Has local lake water quality improved by 20%? Did you provide food, shelter, clothing or books for 862 underprivileged children?

Many nonprofits use email to highlight the problem they’re trying to solve. There’s nothing wrong with that, but keep in mind people want to help. If you underscore how your efforts are solving the problem, you’ll notice a direct correlation between your “big news” and a spike in new memberships and donations.

4. Need volunteers? Ask for limited help

Local nonprofits are understaffed and often rely on volunteers to do the good work. Unfortunately, volunteers can be hard to come by. Email can help, especially if you take the right approach.

A common mistake local nonprofits make is to simply ask for volunteers. The problem is the request is open-ended, and people might feel as though they’re being roped into a long-term commitment.

A better approach is to send emails that ask people to volunteer for specific, time-limited tasks.

For example, let’s say you’re hosting an annual fundraising event. If you ask for volunteers for the event, people might be worried they’ll be stuck there all day or that they’re going to be stuck doing something they don’t want to do.

On the other hand, if you say you need someone to man the door from noon to 1 p.m. or you need someone to bake four dozen cookies, you’re far more likely to get volunteers on board. They know which task they’re responsible for, that there is an end to the expectation, and they won’t be asked to do anything else.

Send an email that lists specific volunteer tasks and time slots, and you’ll get more volunteers than ever before.

5. Save the pitch with strategic timing

Resist the urge to turn every email into a pitch for donations and memberships. Instead, focus the bulk of your messages on your nonprofit’s impact and news about your cause.

Good examples include annual membership drives, holidays, Giving Tuesday, the end-of-year donation spree and whenever you launch a new project. The idea is to make the ask when people are already excited and inclined to give.

This isn’t to say you can’t include a call to action at the end of every email – that’s a good idea, since donations will trickle in year-round – but it does mean most of your messages should focus on valuable content. Once you’ve proven your nonprofit is helping the community, you can send request monetary contributions with strategically timed emails that are destined for success.

6. Showcase contributors

Receive a big donation? Did a local company provide free work? Did a volunteer go the extra mile? Showcase your top contributors via email. It’s a great way to express your appreciation and demonstrate how every dollar helps to other potential donors.

Many people want to be recognized for their contributions, even if their motivation is altruistic. Email is a simple and effective way to offer recognition and foster more community involvement. When subscribers see the people and companies they know and trust contributing to your cause, they’re more apt to follow suit.

One word of caution: Be sure to ask permission before you highlight anyone in your emails. Though many people appreciate public recognition, some prefer to stay behind the scenes.

7. Email invites (and not just to events)

Email is a quick and easy way to invite subscribers to attend your events, but events aren’t the only things you should invite them to.

Use email to invite subscribers to follow your social media accounts, share your cause with their friends and family members, purchase fundraising products and submit ideas of their own. Actively encourage community involvement through social media and enable your supporters to spearhead their own pet projects so you can do more with less. All it takes is a quick email.

Local nonprofit email marketing doesn’t need to be difficult, expensive or time-consuming. Craft short, simple emails that focus subscriber attention on your message and enable you to reach subscribers with relevant messages that influence action. Highlight how you’re making a difference, and you can easily harness the power of email marketing to attract more volunteers, members and donations than ever before.

The post 7 simple (yet powerful) email marketing ideas for local nonprofits appeared first on VerticalResponse.

What’s an email drip campaign and how do they work?

By definition, an email drip campaign is a series of emails sent at set intervals after a subscriber joins your email list. For example:

• Email 1 is sent immediately upon subscription
• Email 2 is sent three days after subscription
• Email 3 is sent six days after subscription
• And so on

When you adhere to email drip campaign best practices, each email in the series has value but also builds upon previous emails. The overarching effect is lead nurturing: Your email series takes subscribers on a journey from introduction to purchase. It lends credibility and authority to your company, fosters trust and creates desire for your products and services until subscribers are ready to buy.

The beauty of email drip campaigns is they’re automated. All content is created before you launch your campaign. After that, your email automation software handles the work, which frees time for you to focus on other business growth efforts. Create your content upfront, and you don’t need to come up with a new email every few days to keep subscribers engaged — simply set it and forget it!

How to create an email drip campaign that works

Email drip campaigns aren’t difficult when you follow these three steps.

Step 1: Identify your desired action and set up a landing page

The goal of every email drip campaign is to nurture subscribers and influence them to take a specific action. In many cases, that action is completing a purchase, but it can also be to schedule a consultation, submit a lead generation form or click an affiliate link. Start by determining exactly what action you want your subscribers to take.

Once you’ve established your campaign goal, set up a compelling landing page that makes it easy for subscribers to take the desired action when you deliver a special offer. It might be a sales page for your product or service, a simple lead generation form or even a blog post with an affiliate link button.

Your landing page is where subscribers will go when they’ve clicked your email link, so it should be laser-focused on guiding subscribers to take your desired action. It shouldn’t distract them. It’s the first thing you build but the last thing your subscribers see before they act, so by the time they get there they’re ready to buy, submit or click.

Note that you might not necessarily need a landing page, especially if your special offer is a coupon code for an ecommerce website. However, a landing page will keep subscribers focused on the product or service you want to sell.

This landing page for Smartwater makes it easy for customers to buy online or find their product in stores.

Step 2: Create and schedule your emails

Start by determining how many emails will be in your series. Drip campaigns can be comprised of as few as three emails or as many as fifteen or more, but it’s best to keep your first drip campaign simple: limit your series to six total emails.

Next, determine your email intervals. There are no hard-set rules about how frequently you should send emails, so rely on your knowledge of your customers’ buying journey to inform your decision. Also consider which stage of the journey they’re in when they subscribe: Are they in the information-gathering stage or is a purchase imminent?

For example, if customers typically buy within one week of expressing interest, you might want to send a series of six emails over six days. If customers tend to hem and haw for a few weeks, you might schedule emails to send every three days.

Your email content should cater to subscribers’ current goals. Answer these questions:

• What are subscribers trying to accomplish? How can you help?
• What information do subscribers want and need to know?
• What stage of the buyer’s journey are subscribers in?

Use your answers to create a series of individual emails that build on each other and nudge customers toward taking the next step in the purchasing process.

For example, let’s say you operate an interior painting business. The answers to the above questions might be:

• What are subscribers trying to accomplish? How can you help? Subscribers want to beautify their homes. You can help by offering interior painting tips and inspiration.
• What information do subscribers want and need to know? They want to know which colors will look best in their homes. They want to know complementary accent colors, and which colors work best in which rooms. They want to see inspirational photos and examples. They want to know how to achieve certain paint effects. They need to know how to properly apply paint and associated costs, as well as ways to simplify the process.
• What stage of the buyer’s journey are subscribers in? They’re planning to begin their project within the next 30 days, so it’s important to give them everything they need to know over the next two weeks.

Now, you can create a series of emails designed to influence customers to buy paint and supplies from you or hire you to do the painting for them. Your drip campaign might look something like this:

• Email 1: Introduction with links to helpful articles on your website
• Email 2: The best colors for each room in the home
• Email 3: Inspirational paint effects for living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms
• Email 4: Why all paints are not created equal (which paints to buy)
• Email 5: Tools needed for a perfect paint project
• Email 6: How much does it cost to paint a room?

Each email can include a call to action that leads to your site for more information, or directly to products and services customers need. In our example, the last email might compare the cost (in terms of money, time and effort) of DIY interior painting versus hiring it out, then deliver an instant coupon code to hire you to do the painting for them. The coupon code button will link to your landing page, where you seal the deal.

As you can see, each email is designed to be relevant to subscribers and to help them achieve their goals. The campaign nurtures subscribers through the buying process and ultimately influences them to act.

Once you’ve created your content, load it in an automated email sender program such as VerticalResponse and set your schedule. The VerticalResponse email builder makes it easy to add custom text, images and buttons for beautifully designed emails subscribers will open, read and click.

STEP 3: Add an opt-in form to your website

Your email drip campaign is ready to go – all that’s left to do is add an opt-in subscribe form to your website. That’s easy to do with VerticalResponse’s form builder tool: Drag and drop form elements to create your design, then embed the form code in your website.

Use these tips to craft a compelling form that converts subscribers:

• Tell subscribers how they’ll benefit. In our painting example, they can sign up to receive expert interior painting tips and tricks
• Use images to create desire. In our example, an image of a beautifully painted living room would do the trick
• Don’t ask for too much information. It’s faster and easier for subscribers to input their email address than their name, phone number, physical address and other information. Remember, they’re just agreeing to receive emails from you. If they feel they’ll be badgered with phone calls, they won’t subscribe. If you need additional information, collect it later via your landing page
• Foster trust with a no spam policy. Make a promise (and keep it) that you will not spam their inboxes or sell their information to any third party
• Prominently and strategically display your form. Don’t bury it in your footer. Instead, use a pop-up or slide-in to put it directly in front of site visitors who are reading relevant content. They’re your most likely subscribers and customers. Or, put it on top of your sidebar or right in with your site content. The idea is to make the offer on the right page, at the right time to the right people

This Nerd Fitness opt-in form illustrates how to showcase subscriber benefits and motivate sign-ups.

Once you’ve embedded your subscription form, your email drip campaign is set. Site visitors will see it and subscribe. Your email software will automatically deliver your messages at set intervals, and leads will be funneled to your landing page to complete the next step in the purchasing process.

Use reporting tools to measure the success of your campaign. You can view open rates and click-through rates as well as track sales. Feel free to tweak emails to see if you can improve conversions; later, you might get into more advanced A/B split testing and even list segmentation, but for now, you can keep it simple while you learn how to harness the power of email automation to boost sales.

Email drip campaign ideas

Want more email drip campaign ideas? Give these examples a try.

• Real estate agents can create email courses on home buying, selling and commercial property investments
• Fashion brands can send a series of makeover tips
• SaaS companies can send a series of emails that illustrate different ways to use their software
• Apparel companies can show subscribers how to craft their personal styles
• Landscapers can offer lawn beautification and maintenance tips
• Fitness companies can send workout programs, diet plans and weight loss tips
• B2B bookkeepers and accountants can develop an email series about saving at tax time
• Mechanics can send a series of auto upgrade and maintenance ideas
• Computer repair services can create an email course on how to stay secure online
• Restaurants and caterers can send a series of guides on how to throw the perfect party
• Pet stores can create an email series around keeping dogs happy and healthy

Consider your customer base. What information do they yearn for? Identify a way to package it into an email series, and you can quickly develop a winning email drip campaign that increases sales on autopilot.

The post 3 easy steps to your first email drip campaign (that sells on autopilot) appeared first on VerticalResponse.

1. Photo contests

Halloween photo contests are one of the easiest ways to earn tons of social shares for your brand. Start with a killer prize, then ask your audience to enter by posting their best photos of:

• Halloween costumes
• Haunted house décor
• Group photos
• Pet Halloween costumes
• Creepy local haunts
• Spooky vacations
• Halloween treats

If possible, select a theme that’s relevant to your products and services. For example, a grocery store might launch a Facebook contest for the best Halloween recipes.

Choose winners based on likes and shares, or use a third-party app to tally votes. By doing this, your audience will generate engagement for your brand.

2. Spooktacular sales

Hosting a Halloween sale? Facebook is a great way to get the word out. Incorporate frighteningly fun Halloween images into your posts, such as:

• Ghosts, goblins and ghouls
• Witches
• Vampires
• Werewolves
• Pumpkins and Jack O’ Lanterns
• Zombies
• Bats
• Famous horror monsters (Frankenstein, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, etc.)
• Kids in Halloween costumes
• Pets in Halloween costumes
• Haunted houses

The goal is to make your posts stand out with a relevant Halloween theme that people want to share.

3. Event invites

If your business is sponsoring a festival, promoting a booth at a local event or hosting a special Halloween party, use Facebook to invite your audience to attend. You can:

• Create an event on Facebook
• Share the event on your Facebook page and within Facebook groups
• Ask for RSVPs (people can select “Going” or “Interested” right on Facebook)
• Offer incentives for people who RSVP, such as a freebie, VIP parking or a discount
• Use Facebook ads to promote your event

If your event looks fun, event invites will earn interest and shares — ultimately driving customers to your door.

4. Halloween tips and tricks

Identify relevant tips and tricks you can share to help your audience enjoy the best Halloween ever. Ideas include:

• Halloween costume ideas and DIY tips
• Halloween decoration tricks
• Halloween recipes
• Halloween party hosting tips
• Halloween crafts
• Halloween on a budget tips

Again, the best strategy is to find a correlation between your tips, your audience and your business so you have a natural segue from post to sales.

5. Halloween lead magnets

Create an eBook packed with Halloween tips, then promote it on Facebook. The eBook serves as a lead magnet: To get it, your audience must visit your site and enter their email addresses, then you can market to them. Ideas include:

• How to host the perfect Halloween party
• 10 cool Halloween craft ideas
• Halloween kids safety tips
• Halloween cookbook
• Halloween travel guide (spookiest places in America)

Your eBook should contain valuable information your audience won’t find elsewhere, and it can be peppered with product mentions to help influence sales. Plus, you can continue reaching your audience with ongoing email marketing.

6. Halloween safety tips

Create a series of Facebook posts focused on Halloween safety tips for kids. It’s a great way to earn shares, as parents will want to help friends and family members keep their kids safe, too. Ideas include:

• Wear bright colors and add reflective strips so drivers can see children
• Stay with a parent or group of friends — no one goes alone
• Stay in trusted neighborhoods
• Keep a phone handy and know emergency numbers
• Have a parent check candy before eating it (plus tips on how to check it)
• Make sure toy weapons do not have sharp points
• Pumpkin carving safety tips
• Stay on sidewalks and don’t text and walk
• Safety tips for drivers

With a little research, you can develop a series of Halloween safety tips; or, create one post with a long list that’s infinitely shareable.

7. Scavenger hunt

Develop a fun, family-friendly Halloween scavenger hunt and promote it on Facebook. People who complete the hunt the fastest can win a prize. Have a family member submit photos of each item they find to prove they completed the hunt. Ideas include:

• Items hidden around local landmarks
• Clues to find local historical or creepy sites
• Halloween-themed items found at home
• Animals and items found in nature
• Items found in local shops (you might even partner with local businesses to sponsor the scavenger hunt, so that players must visit each store)
• Local restaurant menus

Do some research to identify the best Halloween scavenger hunt ideas for your business and audience, then promote it on Facebook.

8. Store décor and employee costumes

Spotlight your store and employees by posting photos of your Halloween décor and their best costumes. Ideas include:

• Your store or storefront, transformed into a haunted house
• “Monster” footprint stickers that lead to your best Halloween sales
• Costumed employees in fun Halloween scenes (perhaps recreate famous movie scenes)

The idea here is to post shareable content that adds a human element to your business.

9. Creepy product promos

You invest a lot in making your products appeal to your customer base. For Halloween, have a little fun by creating creepy product promos that are sure to be shared. Ideas include:

• Photos of products set in an eerie Halloween setting
• A video commercial of a product used in a unique way by a Halloween character
• A special Halloween version of one of your most popular products — a perfect idea for restaurants that can create unique Halloween-themed menu items

Have fun with this type of promotion, and you can create a unique Facebook photo or video that’s destined to go viral.

10. Halloween facts

Dig up interesting Halloween facts and statistics — another great way to motivate social shares. Ideas include:

• Halloween statistics, such as how much candy is sold each year
• Halloween facts, such as which costumes are the most popular this year
• Historical and creepy facts about your town, such as famous local murders or the story behind that one “haunted” house

Look for ways to tie your Halloween facts to your business. For example, you might list the ten most popular Halloween candies, then let people know you have every one of them ready to go in a special edition Halloween gift box.

11. Halloween countdown

Create a unique post each day that counts down to Halloween. Some ideas:

• Post Halloween prep tips by date, like the fact that you should know which costume you’re going to wear by day 15
• Post a fun fact that correlates with the countdown number, like facts about triskaidekaphobia on countdown day 13
• Post a tip of the day to a collection of handy Halloween tips and post a different one each day

A Halloween countdown is fun and engaging, and your audience will look forward to your daily posts.

12. Halloween survey

National statistics are one thing, but what do local customers like? You can use a Facebook survey to find out their favorite:

• Halloween candy
• Halloween costumes
• Horror movies
• Halloween traditions
• Spooky local places
• Halloween party games

Once the survey is complete, you can publish the results in a post that’s sure to be shared between local customers.

13. Repost memes

This one is super easy, but it can generate a lot of likes, shares and engagement for your business.

• Search for Halloween memes that are relevant to your business
• Post them and add your own commentary
• Ask customers to post their favorite Halloween memes
• Ask your audience to vote for their favorite Halloween memes — turn it into a contest!

Reposting memes is a great way to get more Halloween-themed content with minimal effort, but it can also serve as a natural segue to your business when you select relevant memes.

14. In-store photo booth

Use Facebook to invite customers to visit your in-store Halloween photo booth. You can:

• Set up a photo booth in your store, complete with Halloween costumes and props
• Snap photos and share them on Facebook
• Offer customers an instant incentive for participating

This is a fun and engaging promotion that invites customers to interact with your brand and motivates Facebook shares, which will increase brand awareness and drive more customers to your door.

15. Infographics

Infographics are ultra-shareable content that’s perfect for Facebook. Ideas include:

• Halloween recipes
• Halloween costume tips
• Halloween stats and facts
• Halloween décor tricks
• Halloween safety tips
• Most popular Halloween movies
• Most common phobias

Create an eye-catching infographic that’s packed with valuable or entertaining information, and you’re sure to get social shares on Facebook.

Facebook is a great platform for promoting your business at Halloween. The best part? You can take advantage of social post tools to schedule your entire Halloween series in advance — set it and forget it! That way, you’ll be free to focus on other Halloween marketing initiatives while your Facebook Halloween campaign runs on autopilot.

The post 15 wicked good Halloween Facebook post ideas appeared first on VerticalResponse.

Event marketing is even easier when you take advantage of email automation, which allows you to schedule a series of emails upfront and frees your time to focus on other marketing efforts. Make your next event a success by automating the following seven emails designed to boost attendance and drive ticket sales.

1. Event invitations

Begin your email series with an invitation to your event. Your invitation emails should create excitement. Ask yourself:

• How is your event relevant to your audience?
• Why should they attend? What benefits will they get, and what experience can they expect?
• Where can they learn more?
• How can they register?

Common sense says your event invitations (and all your event emails) must include the name, date, time and location as well as your event logo. But go the extra mile by telling your audience what’s in it for them.

2. Early bird discounts and incentives

What can you offer to people who register early? A discount or freebie can be a powerful incentive that also helps you determine how many attendees you need to plan for. Ideas include:

• A discount on event tickets purchased before a deadline
• A series of tiered discounts leading up to the event
• A freebie if they sign up by a certain date, such as a T-shirt
• VIP seating or accommodations
• First dibs on the official event hotel
• Preferred parking or a free parking pass
• Backstage passes
• Food and drink vouchers

Not sure which offer will motivate your audience? Consider A/B split testing against small segments of your list to see which gets the greatest response. Then, send that offer to your larger list.

3. Referral requests

Events are more fun with friends, so include referral requests as part of your email series. You can send emails that:

• Ask registered attendees to invite friends, and offer an incentive for every friend who registers
• Offer special incentives to groups of three or more to encourage multiple ticket sales
• Promote an in-event contest, such as best group T-shirt or costume
• Offer hotel room discounts for multi-room bookings
• Offer free or discount parking for cars with three or more people
• Give attendees a social link to easily share and invite their friends
• Encourage attendees to forward your email invite to their contacts

Remind your audience how much they’ll enjoy your event if they bring friends along, and you can easily double or triple your ticket sales.

4. Group sales emails

Use email to promote group sales and earn a massive spike in ticket sales. Ideas include emails that:

• Ask your audience to share your event with their groups, such as nonprofits, church groups, clubs, sports teams, schools, Facebook groups, community organizations and any other group they’re part of
• Offer group discounts and incentives such as reserved seating so groups can sit together
• Offer special incentives for nonprofit groups, such as a portion of ticket sales donated to a given cause
• Promote a charity that groups will be interested in supporting: They get to contribute and have a great time doing it

Consider which types of groups are likely to be interested in your event. Then, help them see why attending your event is a good idea for their group.

5. Event newsletters and announcements

Send regular email updates to keep your audience interested and excited. Ideas include:

• Entertainment announcements: Tell your audience who will be performing as you ink contracts
• Food and vendor announcements: What treats can they enjoy at your event? Which vendors offer on-site shopping?
• Available experiences: Will your event have games, contests, obstacles and other experiences attendees can participate in?
• Helpful tips: How can they get in early? Where should they park? What are the best directions? Where are the best seats?
• Event schedule: Make it easy for attendees to print a schedule to keep in their pockets

Use email newsletters and announcements to continually create buzz around your event and increase registrations as the date draws near.

6. Social shares

Use email to ask your audience to share your events on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social accounts. A simple request can work, but you might get better results if:

• You attach your email to a contest; for example, promote a photo contest prior to the event and let others judge the winners on social media
• You offer a special incentive for sharing your event, especially if those shares lead to ticket sales
• Your event supports a cause, remind your audience about your event’s impact and suggest social sharing as a simple way they can help

Don’t underestimate the power of social media for event promotion or the ability of email to drive social shares.

7. Product sales

Offering cool swag at your event? Let your attendees get it early with emails that promote product sales. Ideas include:

• T-shirts, hats and other apparel
• Wristbands or event bracelets
• Sunglasses
• Drinkware such as tumblers, water bottles and coffee mugs
• Flying discs
• Umbrellas
• Tote bags

Even better, create an official event swag bag packed with the necessities attendees need to “survive” your event. Sell it as an add-on to ticket sales or offer it as an early registration incentive.

Get even better results with advanced event email automation

These seven types of event emails are a great start for event promotion, but you can take your marketing a step further with advanced automation. For example, you can:

• Automatically segment registrants into new lists and automate emails that focus on referrals and product sales
• Automatically segment your audience by demographics and promote unique selling points by segment; for example, you can advertise the charitable cause your event supports or the entertainment value of your event
• Automatically segment VIP ticket holders from standard registrants and automate different emails according to the experiences they’ll have — and promote unique upsells relevant to each audience

Remember, the more your emails speak to your audience, the more likely they are to respond, share and register. Advanced automation can maximize ticket sales for your event.

Augment your email marketing with social automation

Email isn’t the only event marketing platform you can automate. Augment your email promotions with social posts scheduled to coincide with your emails. Doing so offers multiple benefits, including:

• Multi-channel marketing and repetition that influences registrations
• Social proof when your audience likes and shares your event
• “Set it and forget it” simplicity when you schedule your posts ahead of time
• The ability to focus your efforts on new event marketing opportunities as the event draws near

Email and social automation are powerful event marketing tools that are proven to increase event attendance and boost ticket sales. Leverage the power of automation to make your next event a roaring success.

The post Automate these 7 event marketing emails to skyrocket ticket sales appeared first on VerticalResponse.

Email is often underutilized by small, local businesses even though it boasts a whopping 122 percent ROI — more than four times that of social media and direct mail. Whether you own or operate an auto repair shop, landscaping business, tax preparation service, or other local business, here’s how you can leverage the power of email to win new customers and keep them coming back.

Even seasoned marketers occasionally struggle to develop successful email marketing strategies. The ultimate goal is to make more money, but you should also strive to satisfy your consumers and gain their loyalty. So what are some inexpensive methods to accomplish this? Email advertising is to blame for everything! For your convenience, we have listed 10 effective local email marketing techniques you can use immediately to ensure that your communications are always received favorably. Okay, let’s get started.

Local email marketing ideas

Email marketing should promote your business, but your email strategy should also feature value-added content that motivates opens, influences clicks, fosters trust, and ultimately earns sales. Try these proven email marketing strategies for local businesses.

Offer signup bonuses

The most effective email marketing techniques have a few things in common, like an easy-to-use layout, accessibility, and user-friendliness. A focused email list must be the foundation of an email marketing campaign to maximize its success. However, growing your email list is time-consuming and demands a sizable commitment of your time. Promotions for new members come into play here. Non-monetary rewards are fantastic as well, and they go very well with monetary ones.

Make the registration process simple. The first (and possibly most crucial) stage is getting people to sign up for your list. There is no requirement for a long-form or many questions. Therefore, you should make it as simple as possible for them to do so. Having a signup page where users can enter their information and then click “register” is the easiest option. Additional friction can be reduced by allowing users to sign up using their social network accounts.

Content-focused

Your writing must be brief and uncomplicated. Whether or not your business interests them, readers will lose interest in your material if it is too long, dull, or unclear. Use a grabbing heading. You must include a compelling subject in your email if you want your recipient to open it. Make them feel missing out on a lot by not opening it.

Mobile-optimization

It’s no secret that more than half of emails are opened on mobile devices, but most marketers still don’t know how to design their messages to be easier to read on smaller screens. This highlights the significance of creating a mobile strategy and optimizing email.

Promote email scanning

Your email should not have a lot of text, images, or other formattings, and it should be easy to skim for the receiver to understand. A concise summary will also make a fantastic finishing touch.

Infographic Maker

Include verifiable data that shows your audience why installing domestic data cables is essential. Although text-based content may be effective, images like infographics, videos, animations, and photos are significantly more compelling and challenging to ignore. They are a delicious delicacy and an effective marketing tool. For instance, if you own a wiring business, you may send your clients educational emails that include photos and describe the various types of wires and when to use them. For instance, they might get data comparing fiber optics and coaxial wires.

Online socializing

More than just your website can help you increase your email subscriber list. You can rely on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites. Including share buttons in your newsletter is a terrific way to encourage subscribers to follow you on your various social media accounts. As a result, your subscribers can connect with you and promote your content.

Make a neighborhood calendar for e-commerce site

Following neighborhood happenings is a fantastic way to showcase your business to the area and attract new clients. Make a schedule that considers important dates, holidays, and other occasions. Here are just a few illustrations of potential remedies:

Offers:

To increase sales, send clients promotional emails in honor of holidays, national anniversaries, and other noteworthy occasions. You can add details about these historical events to the email to make it more interesting.

Deals and discounts:

December is the best month to buy gifts since many save all year to spend on the holidays. It’s an excellent chance to earn some extra cash while enjoying yourself. Other occasions to celebrate throughout the year include Black Friday, Christmas, and Easter.

Seasonal deals:

Sending out an eye-catching email to inform customers of your end-of-season discount is essential.

Run Google Ads

Google, one of the most well-known international search engines, enables you to target local customers with PPC advertisements. You can advertise your company utilising this system using any of Google’s many ad products, such as the normal Google Ad that displays next to search engine results, Google Local Services Ads (Google LSA tips here), Google Shopping Ads, and more. One benefit of using Google Ads is an increase in sales and inquiries. A well-planned advertising campaign can also produce long-term, intangible benefits, like enhanced brand awareness and familiarity, which often result in recommendations and future purchases.

Editorial calendar for events, holidays, and local happenings

To attract local customers, develop an editorial calendar focused on regional celebrations, occasions, and other events pertinent to your neighbourhood. Examples include:

Ads for local holiday shopping days like Giving Tuesday, Small Business Saturday, and Black Friday. Promotional rates for regular events, including parades, community festivals, homecoming dances, and historical anniversaries.

Using the city’s long history as a springboard emphasises the importance of supporting neighbourhood businesses. Timed promotions, such as winter sales in the northeast and summer sales in the southwest, are coordinated with the requirements of the local populace.

Depending on the promotion, the spa’s discount or the restaurant’s pre-game menu may be based on the local football team’s point total. Local gift suggestions should Promote the top-selling holiday goods, or the most popular Christmas presents in your community based on local feedback, which is a great way to draw customers into your local stores throughout the holiday season.

Newsletter Winner

You might think that since customers are purportedly like family, it’s necessary to tell them. It is crucial to have a well-written newsletter that gives readers helpful information and motivates them to stick with the publication over time. Newsletters, in my opinion, are the ideal instrument for this.

Insert Useful Advice

Any newsletter would benefit from how-to instructions on business-related themes to entice more readers.

Promote updates specific to the community

Is a new set about to be released? Are we going to have a sale? Has the law lately been altered? Tell your customers the insider secrets that set your company apart.

Award Program

Most neighborhood companies today provide some reward or loyalty program to retain their customers over the long term. To increase readership and retention, include enticing incentive offers in your newsletters, such as discounts, referrals, and more.

Local small business email marketing ideas

Your neighborhood businesses typically offer loyalty or rewards programs; email is a wonderful way to encourage more people to sign up for them. Use email marketing to accomplish the following objectives:

Explain all the wonderful benefits of joining your program to pique people’s attention.

Offer your present customers a reward in exchange for referring you to new customers. Show your customers appreciation on their birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and other significant occasions.

Customers can be reminded to check their online rewards accounts and share information about your program with their friends and family on social media to take advantage of it.

Optimize analysis

Once a marketing effort has started, whether through social media or search engine optimization, it must be remembered. The results must be monitored and modified as appropriate. Before you notice any progress, you must continue the process and repeat it numerous times. Surveys and polls are excellent tools for learning more about your target audience. By listening to what your neighborhood customers have to say, you might be able to learn about local trends and improve your email marketing in the future.

Email list segmenting

You can segment your subscriber list into more focused groups using your subscribers’ actions, such as clicking links in your emails or making purchases, as well as their interactions with your website. Whether they are one-offs or a part of an ongoing sequence, promotions can be created using such insights to be highly individualized.

To divide the list, you may ask subscribers directly about their interests. You should be careful not to bombard your users with too many requests. Consider incorporating questions on your sign-up form that will enable you to create complex segments later to achieve this goal.sts, though.

According to this, adding one or two to your sign-up form is often a great way to help you modify your communications in the future. Additionally, you can send your subscribers surveys that inquire about their interests and solicit comments on your newsletter.

According to most of the experts we surveyed, delivering high-quality, targeted emails and automating your campaigns are two of the best email marketing methods for small businesses.

Workflow email

According to many of our contributors, one of the best email marketing strategies for small businesses is automated email sequences, according to Paul French of Intrinsic Executive Search. These are pre-written, highly personal emails delivered to potential clients once they take a specific business-related activity.

Automated emails are very effective during strategy, the strategy process, and afterward.

Setting the criteria to trigger an email for each action will save you from having to manually compose an email to every individual customer that interacts with your business. Automated emails allow for A/B testing and statistical analysis of your message’s effectiveness.

Want more great ideas for building an editorial calendar around local happenings? Watch Season 4 of Small Business Revolution, where our Deluxe colleagues help Searcy, Arkansas-based creperie, and coffee shop Savor + Sip harness the power of local email marketing.

There are plenty of great email newsletter topics. Then, apply a local focus to give your business competitive advantage customers will love. (By the way, VerticalResponse makes surveying customers quick and easy.)

Check out more great ideas for building an email list.

Advanced local email marketing tips

Once you get your feet wet, you can take advantage of these advanced strategies to get more out of your email marketing.

• A/B split testing: Test multiple versions of the same email to see which performs best. Then, send the winner to your entire list.
• Segment lists: Most businesses have different types of customers. Segment your lists by interests or demographics to send the most relevant information and offers. Doing so can increase responses exponentially.
• Automate email marketing: Create a series of emails designed to nurture leads over time, then send them on schedule with an email autoresponder program. Set it and forget it!
• Measure response: Use email analytics to measure open rates and clicks. Identify which emails work best, then emulate those efforts for future campaigns so you can improve your email marketing over time.

Email is a powerful and affordable tool local small businesses can use to boost sales. Use these tips to connect with local customers, earn referrals, beat the competition, and keep business coming through your door.

Conclusion

In conclusion, email is an inexpensive yet effective tool that small businesses may use to grow and boost earnings. With the assistance of our counsel, you can keep your firm operating. Describe the strategies you’re using to promote your brand through email.

The post 10 Proven Local Email Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses appeared first on VerticalResponse.

1. Recap your best posts

Identify the best performing posts from your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts. Then, turn them into a roundup email. Since these are the posts your audience likes and shares, it’s a good bet your email subscribers will likewise appreciate them. Your social audience is vetting your email content for you!

You can do a new roundup each week or month, depending on how often you post to social media; or, create an annual end-of-year email that recaps the best posts for the entire year.

2. List favorite social tips

You probably post tips your social audience can use to solve problems or achieve their goals. Turn your favorite tips into a list you can send via email.

For example, a beauty salon might routinely post styling and makeup tips on its Facebook page. The salon can take its ten favorite tips and create an email with the subject line “Top 10 Makeover Tips” for a quick and easy blast its audience will love.

3. Reuse social images

Images are central to many social accounts, and for good reason: People tend to like and share images more than text-only content. You can identify the best performing images on your social accounts and repurpose them into email content.

Back to our beauty salon. Let’s say the salon posts images of satisfied customers rocking their new styles. Take the ten best performers — or perhaps the most interesting images — then turn them into an email: “Which hairstyle should you get? Be inspired by these customer photos.”

4. Poll results

Facebook polls can offer unique insights your audience will find interesting. If you run Facebook polls, repurpose the results into email content.

For example, let’s say our beauty salon runs a Facebook poll asking customers to rate four different hairstyles. Once the poll is complete, it can repurpose the results into email content: “This is the sexiest hairstyle today, according to readers.”

5. Link to social videos

Even though videos won’t play in most email clients, you can take a screenshot with the play button overlay and embed it into your email body. Then, link to the video hosted on your own website, social page, YouTube or Vimeo.

This strategy is excellent for how-to videos that help your audience. The video screenshot will naturally attract readers’ eyes and yield more clicks than a typical text link, and it’s a great way to introduce your audience to your other platforms — plus motivate new likes and follows.

6. Hot takes on recent events

What events are dominating the news? Do you post commentary on your social media accounts? If so, that commentary can be repurposed as email content.

You’re not limited to your own social content, either. You might do a roundup of hot takes from popular social influencers, complete with your own commentary for a unique and entertaining email that resonates with your audience.

7. Use social discussion as a springboard

What is your audience talking about? Do they have different opinions about a hot topic? Read through discussions on your social posts and use them as a springboard to create unique emails that offer thought-provoking insights.

For example, let’s say our hair salon posts an image and it sparks a debate about the impact culture has on hairstyle choices. The salon could use that discussion to craft a post that explores the debate, presents different points of view and naturally segues to choosing the right hairstyle for each subscriber.

8. Feature user-generated images

When users share images with you or tag you in photos, repurpose those images as email content. User-generated content lends a level of authority to your business and fosters trust. It also suggests authenticity and solidarity with your audience.

For example, our salon could create an email that features photos of users showing off their new hairstyles or beauty makeovers — inspiring content that’s likely to generate new leads from email subscribers.

9. List user-generated quotes

User-generated content is a great way to engage your email audience. Subscribers will identify with your social audience, so they’ll be interested in hearing what other people like them have to say.

You could list quotes from post discussions, social debates or feel-good quotes your followers have shared. Find a way to portray user-generated content as inspiration for subscribers, which can motivate lead generation and sales.

10. List social testimonials

Social testimonials — or social proof — can go a long way toward fostering trust from your email subscribers. Testimonials make it easy to list the perks and benefits of your business, products and services without coming across as overly promotional.

For example, you might identify your favorite testimonials then create an email titled “Why customers love our company.” Then, list the testimonials in your email body, along with links to relevant on-site content.

Bonus Tip

Content repurposing works both ways. Not only can you repurpose social content for email, you can also repurpose your best email content for social media. For example, you might ask subscribers a question and post the results on your social media page. Or, you can use your best emails (those with the most opens, clicks and replies) as inspiration for short-form social posts.

Use these strategies to double your marketing reach without doubling your effort. Put your messaging in front of more customers and free time to grow your business by repurposing social media content in emails today and every day.

The post 10 ways to repurpose your social media content in emails appeared first on VerticalResponse.

What is email marketing?

Email marketing is a cost-effective, proven strategy that makes it easy to continually connect with your audience. For podcasters, that means you can hold a dialogue with listeners through another popular channel when you’re not broadcasting. It’s a great way to promote your brand, preview upcoming episodes and maintain relevance.

To get started with podcast email marketing, you need to grow an email list. That should be easy if you already have an audience. Set up an opt-in subscribe form on your website and promote it during your podcast episodes. Tell your audience why they should subscribe: exclusive content, insider information, helpful tips and tricks, a freebie or some other incentive. You can even create a lead magnet to grow your list.

Once you’ve established your podcast email list, you can send regular emails that interest and engage your audience — ultimately keeping them tuned in to your podcast.

You can even use email automation tools to deliver a series of pre-made emails at timed intervals. That way you can focus on your podcast and still augment your content with email marketing.

The best part? You can use email marketing to monetize your podcast. Here are five ways to do it.

Paid ads and sponsored content

You probably already have paid advertisers and sponsor messages for your podcast. With a podcast email, you can sell more ad spots and sponsored content.

Tell your advertisers and sponsors about your email list. Let them know you can put their message in front of hundreds (or thousands) of subscribers eager to learn more about their products and services. You could offer ad spots as add-ons to their current advertising packages or as standalone products.

Your email needs to have value for your subscribers, so set clear parameters for paid content. You might limit it to an ad blurb at the beginning, middle or end of your content. Or, you might require sponsors to create content that’s relevant to your audience and allow a brief mention of their products or services.

It’s also a good idea to ask advertisers to offer your audience a discount. That way you’re still able to offer value through paid advertising.

Affiliate links

If you have products or services you recommend on your podcast, it’s a good idea to sign up for their affiliate programs. You can then promote the same products and services via email and earn a commission when your audience buys.

If a company doesn’t have an affiliate program, contact them about a joint venture in which a special link is created for you. That link can be tracked so you get credit for any sales you generate.

Like sponsored content, it’s a good idea to work with affiliate partners to offer your audience an exclusive discount. The benefits are twofold: You’re able to offer additional value to your subscribers and you increase the likelihood they’ll click your affiliate link and buy.

Exclusive content

Another great way to monetize your podcast with email marketing is to offer subscribers access to exclusive content. You can create a series of niche podcast episodes or an online course packed with valuable information your subscribers are willing to pay for.

Promote exclusive content to your podcast email list. You already have a trusting audience that’s invested enough in you to subscribe, so it’s likely they’re willing to pay for content they can’t get via your regular broadcast.

Motivate a quick response with a time-limited special offer. Perhaps your exclusive content is only available for a short time, or you offer email subscribers a 50 percent discount if they purchase access by a specific date. Be sure to list the benefits they’ll receive to create desire and influence sales.

Donations

Many podcasters thrive on audience donations. You can use your email list to request donations that enable you to continue producing high-quality content.

Patreon is a popular donation platform that allows you to offer incentives to donors: exclusive content, merchandise and even ad spots or sponsor messages.

A creative idea: Select a charitable cause your audience is passionate about, then pledge to contribute a portion of the donations you receive to that cause. That way you can simultaneously boost podcast revenue and make a positive impact that endears you to your audience. Keep your audience engaged with regular updates about how much they’ve helped donate and how the funds have improved their world.

Merchandise

Email marketing is a great way to promote your podcast merchandise. You might have online courses, books, digital services or even physical products to sell: coffee mugs, T-shirts, keychains and more. Perhaps you have a product that’s intrinsically linked to your niche. For example, a productivity podcaster might sell a day planner designed on the principles it preaches.

Set up an online store, then promote your products to your podcast email list. Again, you can influence more sales by offering special discounts and/or pledging a portion of proceeds to a charitable cause.

Email marketing offers many opportunities to monetize your podcast — even when you’re not on the air. Use these ideas to attract subscribers, keep them engaged and earn more money from podcasting.

The post How to monetize your podcast with email appeared first on VerticalResponse.