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Jun 25

No matter what kind of email template you are trying to create, the task can be unclear and somewhat difficult. There are several helpful tools located on the web for making email templates. Whether you are a business trying to better reach your customers or just want to make your personal emails brighter, there is an email template perfect for your needs. If you’re wanting to make your templates more customizable, try using HTML for more options.

Dreamweaver makes HTML email templates simple by providing step-by-step instructions. If you are wanting to use plain text for your email templates, there are a few things you need to know. Plain text is useful for those who prefer plain text or people that have an email client where HTML can’t be displayed. Click here for more tips on plain text templates and formatting.

For businesses wanting to more effectively convey products or messages, there are different layouts for each specific purpose. Quick announcements, also referred to as postcard emails, are very simple and brief announcements. Email newsletters build on the existing relationship with the customer. The purpose of an email newsletter is to increase sales, but focus on things the customer may be intrigued by. A catalog email is just the electronic version of an existing product brochure. There is more information and some great tips on this website

Whether you need some help getting started with email templates or you are wanting to further expand your email marketing abilities, StreamSend is the perfect solution. StreamSend can create custom templates specific to your needs to help your business grow. Email templates are a great way to express individuality and add that special touch to your messages.

Jun 18

Direct email marketing is a great way to reach customers and potential customers. Although, direct email marketing is only effective if used properly. There are several tips and tricks that make this process easy and more efficient. For instance, using an effective subject line for your emails can be vital in raising your open rates. Even adding a simple signature can help attract customers. Also if you make your site unique, it’s sure to make a positive impression.

For higher open rates, use a subject line that is straightforward. Make sure the subject line isn’t “pushy” or “salesy” in the least bit. A recent study uncovered subject lines with the lowest open rates look more creative but often end up considered spam by the recipient. Examples of an effective subject line would be:

  • [COMPANYNAME] Sales & Marketing Newsletter
  • [COMPANYNAME] Newsletter – June 2010
  • [COMPANYNAME] July 2010 News Bulletin!

Notice the subject lines aren’t flashy. The subjects are very direct and to the point. Examples of subject lines with very low open rates are:

  • Last Minute Gift – We Have The Answer
  • Christmas – Shop Early & Save 15%
  • Mother’s Day Salon and Spa Specials!

These subject lines are somewhat pushy and are obviously trying to sell a product. Most people will immediately consider these spam. Just remember to keep subject lines straightforward and do not make them seem like advertisements. Following this simple tip can heighten open rates and ultimately lead to more effective email marketing.

Another way to help your email marketing is to create a simple signature. Create a signature that includes your company name, what your company does, and a friendly departing message. Just don’t create a signature that is too long. A signature is more professional and it helps to better inform the people you are trying to reach.

Once people have opened your email, read the content, and are visiting your website, make sure their experience is unique and leaves an impression. The very first step to assuring your site is unique is to put it in writing. Write why people want to visit your site compared to other sites. This is called your USP (Unique Selling Proposition). Make this less than a page with links to your website for further information on the most important subjects.

When writing your USP, make sure the first part grabs the attention of readers. The second part should be where all the information is located. The third part should make the reader desire your product. Finally, the fourth part should put them into action and inspire them to purchase your product. For further information and more great tips on direct email marketing, click here.

If you need help getting your company on the web, StreamSend is a great resource for email marketing and templates. Here you will learn how to launch your email marketing campaign in just minutes. Find email templates that perfectly fit the needs of your company. StreamSend helps users manage lists and subscribers, create and send emails, track, report and analyze, and much more!

Jan 5

When you are trying to turn a profit (as most businesses are!) advertising is important. Most people think that the work stops there, and it does to a certain extent. You don’t have to work any harder, but your landing page will be working harder than ever!

When you send out an email marketing message or a newsletter the general goal is to draw the potential customers back to your company. In this age of electronics, most times that means your website. The key to turning that website visit into a sale is the effectiveness of the landing page.

For those who are new to this idea, most emails contain a link of some kind. This link could tie back to your general website or a specific product or service page. What ever page the link leads to is the landing page. The key to an effective landing page is fairly simple. Keep it simple.

The landing page should be very straight forward and simple. The visitor must be able to see the point of the page the moment it loads or they are going to move on. Also, if they have to search for the information advertised in the email they are going to give up and move on.

Keeping this in mind, plan your landing pages to be simple and straightforward. If you have landing pages that are not turning profits, consider redesigning them. The problem could be as simple as an overload of unhelpful information. Regardless of the design you choose to go with for your landing pages, be sure to stick to the point.

This brings me to the next key to an effective landing page. Whatever landing page you choose to use, make sure it is the most direct match to the content of the email. For example, if you’re promoting a music festival don’t send the visitor to a page promoting a similar art festival held in the same place. The link you use needs to lead to the direct match for the content of the email.

By following these two simple rules of landing pages, you’re sure to increase the traffic and the profit that your landing pages receive.

Nov 20

Every time you send a newsletter, announcement, or promotional email you try everything you can think of to draw your reader in. Once you’ve got them, the body of the email gives them the information you’re trying to get a cross. So, how do you get them to that point?

One option is a snappy, attention-getter opening. It may work and it may not. A far more effective technique is called a banner ad. Banner ads sit at the top of the email and draw your audience into the body of the email. The ad could also lead them directly to the landing page where you want them to go. A banner ad can be instrumental in effectively motivating your audience. Here are a few tips to create the best possible ad:

1.K.I.S.S. That saying you used as a kid can be very helpful in this situation. Keep it simple, silly. The banner ad has only a few seconds to catch the reader’s eye before they move on so the ad has to be simple and to the point. Don’t bother with flash or pizazz because your reader will look right over the ad if they can’t immediately see the point.

2.Call for action with words that raise emotion or attention. Words like ‘free’ and ‘limited time offer’ are always popular. Keywords like this will grab the reader’s attention and make them curious. At this point, including a keyword such as ‘Click Now’ is always a good idea. You’ve got them curious and you need to tell them what to do to get more information.

3.Emphasize what your product can do for your customer. People are always looking for ways to make their life easier or better, so tell them how your product or service can do that! For example, we offer free email templates so a great banner ad for our email blasts would highlight that downloading our templates saves you the time you’d spend designing your own (making life easier) as opposed to ‘we offer free templates’.

4. Remember that you are a business! Keep your ads with the tone of the email it is attached to and don’t forget that this ad is the first impression for your email! Remember to keep it professional. Also, you never know what will grab people’s attention best. Try to create several banner ads and test them over a period of time. Keep the most successful ads and use them in the future. If you ever need new banner ads, model them after the ones you know work.

It is always best to design your own ads because you can tailor them to suite your company and your audience; but let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t have the time. There are several options. You can always hire someone to do it for you, or you can search the Internet for free options.

If the ‘Net is seeming like a good idea, check out AdDesigner.com. Once you sign up to be a member, you’ll have access to all kinds of tips, sample ads, and free stuff. Not to mention you can design your banner ad on their site!