To get the biggest bang for your marketing buck, invest in channels that consumers prefer most. While email marketing is often neglected in the face of trendier marketing channels, consumers still heavily rely on it. A recent study by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that consumers ranked email as the most important channel for both pre-purchase and post-purchase information.
So how can you spice up this tried and true marketing channel? With dynamic, real-time email content, you can ensure higher levels of relevance. Check out these five types of live email content and how to incorporate them in your next email campaigns.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Go!
Have an upcoming event or limited-time offer? Count it down! Adding a digital timer to your emails that indicates how many weeks, days or seconds are left adds a sense of urgency to your promotions. Daily deal sites commonly use this tactic to give consumers an incentive to shop, but the countdown timer can be used for much more than sales.
Next time your email contains time-sensitive information — such as voucher codes or information on an upcoming event — include a countdown clock to add immediacy. Not only will it increase engagement, but it will also add a visual touch to your emails.
Location, Location, Location
Take personalization up a notch! According to a recent survey by the EIU, 66 percent of consumers are jaded by superficial attempts at personalization. So when customizing content, make sure that it matters!
Customizing email messages with location-based information is a great way to create content that users can use. Use data to tell recipients how many miles away they are from your nearest store, or include a map with directions. Applying location-based technology encourages repeat and first-time visits, and it attracts online visitors to your physical store.
To enhance location targeting, use it in combination with existing demographic information. Coupling a recipient’s location data with past transactions and browsing history can help marketers accurately target campaigns and yield higher returns.
Know Thy Device
iOS or Android? You better know the answer! As users increasingly use mobile devices to read email, marketers must adjust accordingly. Knowing what device and operating system your subscribers are on can help better tailor design elements and content for greater campaign success. Have a mobile app for your brand? Add a device-specific link to drive downloads and make it easier for users to engage with your brand.
Bonus points! Targeting emails based on users’ devices allows for more efficient marketing automation, which can cut costs and help reach a larger consumer base.
Put Your Best Image Forward
Increase your click-through performance by displaying your best performing image. Set it up so you can automatically split test images and determine in real-time which one generates the best response. By including the image with the highest clicks you’ll optimize engagement. Typically the best images are simple, contained to a single column and are properly spaced between other clickable elements. But don’t just take our word for it, test it out!
Sunny And 75
Is there a stint of sunny weather in your city? Target subscribers in your area with a deal for sunglasses or swimsuits! Showing predicted weather conditions at customers’ current location allows marketers and brands to offer relevant products that accommodate the elements. Knowing the weather can help target users with suggested products or services. Retailers, such as Home Depot and Lowes, could use information about an upcoming heat wave to recommend products like fans and air conditioners to subscribers in that area.
Ultimately, what it comes down to is delivering customers with content that resonates with them. While email is one of consumers’ most preferred marketing channels, they move through their inboxes quickly and seek out information they need and want. By tailoring content in real-time you’ll offer the most relevant information and stand out in crowded inboxes!
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