Publisher Corner: Quick Tips for Emailers

Hello Inuvo email publishers!  Today we have a few tips on how you can easily boost the ROI of your email drops.  These are some basics you should keep in mind to get the most out of your hard work!

• Personalize:  Personalize your mailings whenever possible. People are more likely to respond to emails they feel are sent specifically to them versus an impersonal mass email. 
  
  1. How to do this: Target niche groups as closely as possible, and don’t forget to use data you have collected, like their first name or other information to give your mailing a personal touch.
     
     
• Own It:  Drive traffic to your site so you can collect data. This will help your conversions as well.  People visit your site because they are interested in your content.
  
  1. How to do this: Build your own list by collecting having a newsletter subscription form on your website and monetize it by targeting your emails to the same vertical they found you in. For instance, if you have a health-related website, make sure to send out offers that compliment that vertical.
     
     
• Diversify:  Make sure to diversify yourself across several verticals and have a backup plan. By trying out a few verticals, you can see what sticks!
  
  1. How to do this:  Start with verticals you are naturally interested and passionate about.  Then add in some verticals just because you know they are hot right now. For example, if you enjoy cooking, you might want to start with a offers which features a chance to win professional cookware.  From there you may decide to branch out into coupon or home related offer.  See what works best for you and run with it!
     
     
• Synergize:  Combine pay per click (PPC) efforts, email mailings and even a website to create your brand. Use all three to unify your marketing efforts and gain credibility.
  
  1. How to do this:  Utilize paid search ads and email drops to drive traffic to your website and gain conversions. 
     
     
• Reciprocate:  Befriend other mailers. If you help them, they will help you.
  
  1. How to do this:  Join social communities where other mailers are and get to know them. The Inuvo Facebook page is a great starting point!  Click on the “Discussions” tab to start a conversation with the group and who knows what you may learn!
     
     
• Compliance:  Make sure your emails are CAN-SPAM compliant so you don’t run into any legal issues.
  
  1. How to do this: Click here to view the guidelines on the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

• Communicate:  Let your ISP know what you are doing so they don't shut you down.  If you have a server through an ISP and you are doing mass mailing you will most likely get a lot of complaints. 
  
  1. How to do this:  Contact your ISP to see if they allow mass emailing. Let them know of your business plan and that you are a legitimate mailer with opt-in lists that adheres to all CAN-SPAM compliance laws.  If they get complaints and they don’t know what you are doing, there’s a good chance you will get shut down quickly, which would end up causing a lot of downtime for you and that means you are not making money.  If they don’t allow mass emailing, research which ISPs do allow it and weigh your options.

• Experiment:  It’s amazing how simply tweaking one thing here or there can have an impact on conversion rates!
  
  1. How to do this:  Try various link placements, taglines and calls to action on your websites. Even test out multiple layouts, photography and color schemes. Be sure to track your efforts so you can evaluate what worked best.