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The Anatomy of a Great Marketing Email

Marketing Email

We think you’ll agree: if there’s one big difference between the old marketing days and now, is that marketers are able to reach audiences further than they ever have before. Partially, this is possible through emails. All you’d need to know is someone’s email address and it won’t matter which part of the world they are in.

This type of outreach, though is quite a double-edged sword. As helpful as it is, a lot of other brands and companies are doing it too. In fact, a study made by campaignmonitor.com shows that office workers get about 121 emails per day on an average workday. Within these emails are promotional emails, deals, offers and others that would help brands get more customers.

Knowing this now, it then begs the question: as marketers, how do we create great marketing emails that will stand out above the rest? Lucky for you, the gang might just have the solution. In these next few minutes, you’re going to learn about six parts of an email that would make you an exception to the rule. After all, aren’t we all trying not to get discarded?

If you’re curious about these six crucial portions of what makes a great marketing email — read on.

First impressions last, even in email marketing

We’re talking about how you need to make full use of the subject line of your email. This is the most crucial part of your email. Not only would you need to appeal to your audience, but your subject line also needs to capture attention and get them to open.

A stellar subject line depends on how eye-catching it is — plain and simple. If it will not stand out among the thousands, there is no use in sending out your email. So for this part, it is best to let people know what’s in store for them if they click on your particular email. 

A design that isn’t too distracting goes a long way

Design is important, yes. But if it’s something that completely distracts your recipient or if it has some designs that are not related to you, your brand design, then it would be best to keep your design simple. 

A minimalist email copy? Yes, please!

That being said, you need to be able to convey your message as quickly as possible. If your subject line is what’s going to reel people in, then your email copy will determine if they stay or not. If, let’s say, you put up an offer in your subject line and it convinces people to open what you sent them but they don’t see how they can redeem that 30% off of their next purchase as soon as they open the email, then they are most likely going to pull the plug really quick.

Easy to read and straight to the point, you need to convey your goal of sending the email as quickly as possible.

The power of the alt text in emails

Now, this is something people seem to neglect a lot. An alt text provides context on the images that come with your email, just in case they don’t load. When writing it, you need to be able to accurately and concisely describe what the image is so that people can still visualize it in their heads even if something goes wrong in the loading process.

Not only that, an alt text is what visually impaired subscribers use with screen reader programs so that they could get a description of the image. So the next time you add images into your email, make sure the alt text field is something you consider filling out.

Crystal-clear call to action are a must

Keep in mind that most people who open an email in their inbox have one question plaguing them: what exactly am I doing here? You need to be able to address this question through call-to-action. Call to actions are essential, especially if you want to urge your readers to take action. 

Below is an example of a great CTA button, it is straight to the point and it commands full attention.

 best CTA button great email marketing
photo courtesy of zoho.com

Give them a way out by unsubscribing

Great marketing emails will always have this present. Having the unsubscribe option is not only legally required, but it’s also a courtesy gesture. It is important that you give people the choice to opt out always.

Finally, don’t forget to send out test emails to yourself before you send your email blast. Make sure all the links and the buttons work, there are no typos in your copy and all the images have been optimized for alt text.

So before you send out your next marketing email, make sure that you have all of these elements present. Make a good first impression, make sure that you go straight to the point, but also give people the chance to opt out.

If you need help growing your business and averaging 400% or more ROI from your digital efforts, give us a call today or schedule a free strategy session with one of our experts in digital marketing. You will have an opportunity to discuss your business and your marketing goals, and we will provide recommendations on what you should be doing based on our BOOST Method. This is a sales-pitch-free no-obligation meeting, just real advice.

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