Email Marketing Services

It wasn’t so long ago that e-mail marketing, which is the process of acquiring an e-mail address list from your customer base and using it to promote your business, was a frowned-upon tactic that failed to produce positive results; but today, e-mail marketing is no longer a prohibited technique. In fact, it’s an acceptable, and often expected, internet marketing format that’s used by some of the most reputable companies in the world.

E-mail marketing campaigns may be more popular with certain industries, but most of the time, they can work for businesses of all types. When your clients and prospects receive e-mails from you on a routine basis, they can stay abreast of your latest special offers, discounts, and other news. This is a way to connect with your audience on a scheduled basis. But what makes e-mail marketing a more suitable tactic today than in the early days of online marketing?

In short, what sets it apart today is a commitment to following the rules. Companies that find success in their e-mail marketing efforts know there is a clear path to follow for a successful, ethical e-mail campaign. That path is laid out by CAN-SPAM, a policy act of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that was implemented in 2003. Without a doubt, CAN-SPAM is the #1 authority on the best practices for e-mail marketing, for the benefit of consumers who want to reduce unwanted e-mail spam.

 

CAN-SPAM E-mail Marketing Guidelines

Don’t we all hate receiving spam? Your audience is no different. If you want your e-mail campaigns to impress consumers rather than frustrate them, it’s important to abide by the CAN-SPAM guidelines; that way, your e-mail marketing messages can be effective promotional tools rather than nuisances. Some of those guidelines include:

• Only including those who have voluntarily provided their e-mail address (via your online contact form or other opt-in format)
• Circumventing false or misleading header information
• Avoiding the use of deceptive subject lines (i.e. “I saw your ad on Craigslist...”)
• Clearly identifying the message as an ad (inside the message is fine)
• Disclosing your business location, which lends you credibility
• Providing an opt-out for recipients to remove themselves from the list (normally near the bottom)
• Honoring all opt-out requests promptly and without questioning users who make opt-out requests

How our E-Mail Marketing is Better

At Crest Media, we pride ourselves on staying in strict compliance with the CAN-SPAM act in the e-mail marketing campaigns we launch for each and every client. Unlike irresponsible, unethical guerilla marketing providers, Crest Media doesn’t shoot e-mails haphazardly to dubiously acquired addresses. We don’t take advantage of unsuspecting Craigslist users by sending them annoying, irrelevant spam messages in response to their well-intentioned ads. We don’t use fake names, fake addresses, or fake anything.

Instead, our process involves a careful, strategic plan for successful e-mail marketing campaigns. That plan includes:

• Determining your target market and customer base
• Compiling your list of opt-in e-mail addresses
• Designing your e-mails, including key messaging and graphics
• Designing a landing page (leading to your website) for recipients to click through

Finally, we deploy your first e-mail blast – and follow up with you as we monitor the results. Just as we would do for any of our other marketing services.

What is an E-mail Blast?

E-mail blasts can be anything you want them to be; the important thing is that you say something that grabs readers’ attention and gives them something of value. Just a few ideas include short messages, newsletters, promotional offers, “insider” information, and industry news or information. They can contain photos, graphics, and industry-specific colors to make them stand out.

At Crest Media, we can personalize your e-mail blast messages so that they reflect your voice. Because this is content your audience is likely to find valuable, many users are likely to peruse the message. They are likely to retain some of what they read. Most importantly, they are likely to think of your brand when a product or service you carry comes to mind – and visit your site the next time the message arrives in their inbox. Pair a service like email marketing with SEO and its easy to see how a multi-platform marketing campaign can help your buisiness saturate its target market, just as intended.

This is not spam; this is legitimate, highly polished, expert e-mail marketing that conveys the integrity and professionalism you pride yourself on as a business owner. To inquire about e-mail marketing services of this outstanding nature, contact Crest Media today. We can show you how to reach a wider, more targeted audience with ethical e-mail marketing that works.