The 3 Essential Components of Email Marketing for Small Businesses

Email marketing is a powerful tool for small businesses looking to drive traffic to their website, generate leads, and increase sales. However, if you're finding that your emails aren't generating the results you hoped for, don't despair. Incorporating the following three essential components into your email campaigns can make your emails more enticing, engaging, and effective.

Enticing Emails

The subject line and preview text are two of the most crucial components of an enticing email. A well-crafted subject line can mean the difference between getting your email opened or having it go straight to the trash. Here are some tips for writing subject lines that get your email noticed:

  • Keep it short and sweet, with 7-10 words

  • Avoid spammy words such as "earn," "apply now," "cheap," "compare rates," and "free"

  • Personalize and target when possible

  • Choose the approach/tone carefully based on the content

  • Use tasteful emojis (but not too many, as this can lead to spam)

  • Use subjectline.com to test different subject lines and choose the best one

  • Consider using A/B testing to see which subject line performs best.

The preview text is your subtitle and provides a brief overview of what your audience can expect from the email. Here are some tips for writing compelling preview text:

  • Keep it brief, with 30-90 characters

  • Use it as a teaser, but avoid creating clickbait

  • Use action words

  • Broaden the subject to give more details

  • Personalize the text

  • Consider your mobile users

  • Use special deals and promotions if applicable.

Engaging Emails

Engaging emails must serve a purpose for your target audience. This could be solving a problem or helping them get their hands on something in high demand. Here are some tips for writing engaging emails:

  • Know exactly what your objective is

  • Know your audience and write to their interests and concerns

  • Keep it short and to the point

  • Use subheads to make the email easily digestible

  • Use storytelling techniques

  • Personalize the email and write it as if it's to a real person

  • Use active voice and second-person perspective

  • Be succinct

  • Utilize white space to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Effective Emails

Creating a sense of urgency can be a highly effective tool for email conversion. You can encourage your target audience to take immediate action by using call-to-action buttons and landing pages. Here are some tips for writing effective emails:

  • Use call-to-action buttons and landing pages

  • Place the CTA button towards the top third of the email and at the end

  • Use words that create urgency, such as "book now," "start saving today," "quick!," and "claim your discount today."

  • Conduct A/B testing to see what your target audience responds to best. You can test different email components, such as images, subject lines, header copy, videos, and more.

Email campaigns are still a very effective, low-cost form of marketing. But, in order for them to work for you, be sure to utilize these best practices. Better yet, contact us, Anneomaly Digital; we would love to help you create enticing, engaging, and effective emails to grow your brand and your business.