With thanks to johns139
Email marketing can be a very effective way of bringing new customers into your sales funnel. But due to the widespread use of viruses and malware, most people are cautious about opening an email that comes from a source they don’t recognize, that is strangely written, or appears to have come from a non-English speaker.
You can reassure your prospective customers that the emails you send are safe and reliable by following a few simple email marketing etiquette rules:
1. Do not make a sensation of your subject
The usual setting for Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc., will show who is the sender and the subject. Sometimes, the first few words of the email text itself will appear on the user’s email queue.
That makes the subject the first important element of your email. If it is exaggerated and makes extraordinary claims, or is otherwise sensational, there is a good chance that the email will be sent directly to the “Spam” folder or deleted by the user without being read.
The aim is to get the reader to open the email, so the subject must provide a reason for them to do so. Try to capture their imagination and engage their interest, but do not “go over the top”. Avoid using exclamation points/marks – especially multiple exclamation points/marks – as well as ALL CAPS and crazy colours because this will most likely tag your email as spam.
2. Use the person’s name, if you know it
The greeting is the first thing the reader sees when they open the email. If you know the user’s name because you know them personally, they are already on your list use your autoresponder to insert their first name in the greeting, such as “Dear Jo” or “Dear Emily.”
Email tends to be less formal than traditional letter-writing, so in most cases using the person’s first name is perfectly acceptable. Using the person’s last name can often seem off-putting, such as “Dear Mr. Bloggs” or “Dear Ms. Smith.”
3. Get to the Point
Emails are less formal than traditional letters and because people get so many emails every day, the person receiving your email probably has little time to give it much attention, at least initially, therefore it is critically important to get to the point of the email immediately, starting with the first sentence.
It is necessary to give the reader a reason to keep reading. Do not waffle and waste time by beating around the bush or trying to build to the main point slowly. You have only a few moments to maintain the reader’s attention, so make the most of it.
4. Signing Off
The sign-off in an email is usually rather different from that used in a traditional letter. It is not usual to include a formal “Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully.”
It is perfectly acceptable to sign off with just your name. Or you could use an informal phrase such as “Best Regards” or “All the Best”.
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SPAM
Lastly, do not spam by sending copious amounts of emails. People should enjoy your emails and look forward to receiving more. If you over send, you will quickly be sent to their Junk file. Be fresh, positive and interesting and never be over pushy. Suggest links rather than push the email recipient to click
6.GDPR
You should also make yourself aware of the new laws regarding the creation of permission from your potential subscribers before you start sending out your emails. While these laws currently only apply to Europe and the UK, there is already discussion in some US States about introducing similar legislation, and there is no doubt that similar regulation will start to appear in other regions of the world in the short to medium term.
You must get your contacts to agree to your sending those emails by adopting a double confirmation system. If, like me, you find yourself totally confused by the requirements of this law, then check out this simple solution.
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Follow these general email etiquette protocols to increase the chances the person receiving your email will open it and read it. Ensure the content of your email encourages the person to the action you want them to perform, such as clicking on a link included in the body of your email. Suggest links rather than push the email recipient to click.
