8 Reasons Why You Should Love E-mail & 7 Ways to Make Yours More Effective
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E-mail is the most effective way to reach customers, acquire new customers, and sell to customers – worldwide.
A 2014 study by McKinsey & Company proved that e-mail marketing is nearly 40 times as effective as Facebook and Twitter combined.
91% of all US customers use e-mail, whereas only 71% of online adults use Facebook, 23% of online adults use Twitter, and 28% use LinkedIn. (2014).
Additionally, the average order value as a result of e-mail marketing is 17% higher than that of social media marketing, which may be contributed to the fact that e-mail is more personal than social media.
Obviously, customers who receive e-mail offers believe that they belong to a selected group that has the opportunity to take advantage of a special offer.
Advantages of writing e-mails, particularly for the Small Business Owner
Writing e-mails levels the playing field. A skillfully written e-mail from a small business owner can look superior to a lackluster e-mail written by an employee from a huge corporation.
Quite often, small business owners receive unexpected or unusual requests, to which they may not have all answers; in fact, they may not even know if they can fulfill the request. Sending a skillfully written e-mail buys them time to solve their issues while looking professional.
Writing great pitching e-mails to media persons gives small business owners the opportunity to get exposure via guest blogging or to be featured on TV or in a magazine.
So, what can you do to write most effective e-mails with personal appeal?
When getting ready to compose an e-mail, think “product – product – product” and focus solely on how your product or service will affect your customers’ needs.
Avoid writing the word “I” as much as possible, instead – find ways to say “you” and “your”.
Avoid writing standard phrases. Instead of using run-of-the-mill phrases like “Please feel free to call me” write “If you have any additional questions, please call me – anytime.”
Never ever use a template. If you found it on Google, chances are somebody else is using the same template. If writing is not your strong suit rather hire a writer to create unique content.
Never ever use a standard greeting like “hi” and “sincerely”. “Sincerely” is the most overused word in all e-mails – worldwide. Writing “sincerely” indicates “I am like everybody else” and/or “you are like everybody else to me.” In the 21st century, we strive for distinguishing ourselves.
Avoid simply “listing” features of your products or services. Ideally, your e-mail should have the same personal impact like a short meeting with a future client.
Read your e-mails out loud to yourself before you click that ‘send’- button. Listening to your own writing is the easiest way to find out how your e-mail will sound to the recipient. Don’t believe that this works? -- Just open your sent-folder and read any e-mail you sent four weeks ago! Does it sound effective and personal?
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Gisela Hausmann is an e-mail evangelist, who has analyzed 100,000+ e-mails for effectiveness and personal appeal. She is the author of “Naked Words: The Effective 157 Word Email”.
Follow Gisela at your favorite social media platform.
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If you enjoyed reading this blog please share right below. Thank-you!
© 2015 by Gisela Hausmann, All rights reserved.
Copyright: Nata-Lia/ShutterstockE-mail is the most effective way to reach customers, acquire new customers, and sell to customers – worldwide.
A 2014 study by McKinsey & Company proved that e-mail marketing is nearly 40 times as effective as Facebook and Twitter combined.
91% of all US customers use e-mail, whereas only 71% of online adults use Facebook, 23% of online adults use Twitter, and 28% use LinkedIn. (2014).
Additionally, the average order value as a result of e-mail marketing is 17% higher than that of social media marketing, which may be contributed to the fact that e-mail is more personal than social media.
Obviously, customers who receive e-mail offers believe that they belong to a selected group that has the opportunity to take advantage of a special offer.
Advantages of writing e-mails, particularly for the Small Business Owner
Writing e-mails levels the playing field. A skillfully written e-mail from a small business owner can look superior to a lackluster e-mail written by an employee from a huge corporation.
Quite often, small business owners receive unexpected or unusual requests, to which they may not have all answers; in fact, they may not even know if they can fulfill the request. Sending a skillfully written e-mail buys them time to solve their issues while looking professional.
Writing great pitching e-mails to media persons gives small business owners the opportunity to get exposure via guest blogging or to be featured on TV or in a magazine.
So, what can you do to write most effective e-mails with personal appeal?
When getting ready to compose an e-mail, think “product – product – product” and focus solely on how your product or service will affect your customers’ needs.
Avoid writing the word “I” as much as possible, instead – find ways to say “you” and “your”.
Avoid writing standard phrases. Instead of using run-of-the-mill phrases like “Please feel free to call me” write “If you have any additional questions, please call me – anytime.”
Never ever use a template. If you found it on Google, chances are somebody else is using the same template. If writing is not your strong suit rather hire a writer to create unique content.
Never ever use a standard greeting like “hi” and “sincerely”. “Sincerely” is the most overused word in all e-mails – worldwide. Writing “sincerely” indicates “I am like everybody else” and/or “you are like everybody else to me.” In the 21st century, we strive for distinguishing ourselves.
Avoid simply “listing” features of your products or services. Ideally, your e-mail should have the same personal impact like a short meeting with a future client.
Read your e-mails out loud to yourself before you click that ‘send’- button. Listening to your own writing is the easiest way to find out how your e-mail will sound to the recipient. Don’t believe that this works? -- Just open your sent-folder and read any e-mail you sent four weeks ago! Does it sound effective and personal?
~*~
Gisela Hausmann is an e-mail evangelist, who has analyzed 100,000+ e-mails for effectiveness and personal appeal. She is the author of “Naked Words: The Effective 157 Word Email”. Follow Gisela at your favorite social media platform.
RYX6ZF8QT9YW
If you enjoyed reading this blog please share right below. Thank-you!
© 2015 by Gisela Hausmann, All rights reserved.
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