Top Rated Email Marketing Companies

Every business needs marketing to grow and build market share and a customer base. Email marketing is, as the name suggests, a form of marketing that uses email to reach customers with information, offers and persuasive content with the aim of getting them to buy a product or service.

Email marketing has evolved over the years. While some still think of it as endless spam about winning a contest, today with opt-in lists and structured marketing plans, it can be highly effective.

Email marketing is most effective when carried out with consent, that is, consumers provide an email address for marketing purposes, usually in return for a benefit such as a discount voucher, or a free eBook. This is known as opt-in and legitimizes the marketing messages for the recipient.

It can take many forms, from simple announcements of new products, sales or other offers to sales copy and calls to action that drive traffic to your site.

Even with consumers willingly signing up for marketing messages, there are challenges with email marketing. Spam filters come free with most email solutions today, and common ones like Gmail can be quite aggressive. Using some words or symbols in titles can mean you get caught by these filters and the recipients never see them, and while asking to whitelist your email or domain can help with this, it is not something you can rely on.

However, email marketing can be incredibly effective. In fact, email marketing is up to 40 times more effective than social media, according to a study done by McKinsey and Company. The same study also shows that the buying process happens 3 times faster than in social media. Statistically, there are indicators that show the growing potential of email marketing.

It isn't surprising really, when you think about the process. Email marketing can cover many different messages that tell a persuasive story over time without the need for overt sales tactics.

It fits better with the way people like to find information about a product or services rather than alternative approaches. On social media, do you really want an update on the latest advances in coffee making technology while you just try to see what your ex is up to now? Probably not.

One of the key benefits of email marketing is that it can take many forms. While all messages arrive by email, that is really the only thing that connects these various techniques. You can send one off offers or a chain of multiple emails that tell a story leading to a buy link for a purchase. You can have regular updates in a newsletter or send information about your business to remind prospects that you are there to help them.

There are endless possibilities with email marketing, but the most common are:

Email marketing is effective, but it is only effective when it's done right.

Email marketing agencies understand how to make the most of the platform, and will develop a cohesive strategy that helps your business grow. Whether that means a regular newsletter, a longer form, multi email chain that takes your prospects towards a purchase, or a simple introduction to your business, you can trust it will be done right.

Writing good copy is not easy, and if you are not really a writer, it can take you a long time to develop just one email, so what happens when you need half a dozen? With an email marketing company, you tell them what you need, and they will deliver, quickly. Meanwhile, you get to focus on your business and do the things you are good at.

This really depends on your specific situation, your audience and what your goal is. Maintaining brand awareness is essential for any business, and here a regular newsletter is perfect. Each week or month, your brand is put in front of your current and prospective customers, reminding them of what you do, along with special offers they can enjoy, new products and so on.

But if you wanted to increase sales of a specific product, a product highlight email with information and a buy link may be better. For converting new prospects, an email chain that takes them through the benefits of a product over a period of time, culminating with a call to action to purchase can be incredibly effective.

The key with email marketing is in the flexibility. You can tailor the approach to suit any need, always using the right tool for the job. In this sense, every email marketing approach can be highly effective, as they all have their strengths that when used well will deliver the outcomes your business needs.

A great email marketing company will provide the advice and guidance as to the strategies needed to achieve your business goals, including the type of email marketing approach that will best fit your particular situation.