Last month we blogged about social media etiquette for your business, this month we decided we would touch upon another important area to practice proper politeness: email marketing etiquette. We’ve all had our inboxes spammed at one point or another, found it impossible to unsubscribe from emails, or been unimpressed with glaring spelling errors. This can be frustrating and often results in a customer assuming a negative relationship with a company, and even worse, opting-out of emails all together.

Aside from the obvious negative effects of spamming someone’s email, there are numerous other ways that you can turn away a customer from email marketing if you are not careful. Take a look at these email marketing etiquette tips your business should know for better results and happier customers:

• Get recipient permission. The best way to build an email marketing list, while following proper email marketing etiquette, is organically. Have sign-up options on your website, landing pages, advertising initiatives, and more. You will turn better results if you’re emailing people who actually want to receive your emails.

• Make it easy to unsubscribe. Email marketing etiquette isn’t just about getting permission to start sending emails in the first place: if customers want to opt-out of receiving your emails, make it easy for them. Provide a link in all of your emails, or if they email your personally, respond and let them know you will remove them from your list immediately.

• Proof and test all emails. If you’re sending emails with text errors and broken links, you will not impress your customers. Take the time to proof you emails. Having multiple sets of eyes always helps. Also, remember to test all of your emails before they are sent out to customers. Remember, proper email marketing etiquette!

• Segment your recipient list. By segmenting your email list, you make it so you can personalize your customers’ experience by location, industry, previous purchasing history, and more. This will add to the effectiveness of your campaigns by allowing you to send emails that truly pertain to your recipients’ needs and interests.

• Don’t spam your contacts. Think about how much you dislike receiving dozens and dozens of emails from one company. Don’t do it to your customers. Spamming is just bad email marketing etiquette, no questions asked. Remember to keep spam trigger words in mind when developing your emails.

• Make it mobile-friendly. With 43% of emails being open on a mobile device, according to Constant Contact, it’s more important than ever to make your emails mobile-friendly for a better user experience.

Do you practice email marketing etiquette? What bothers you about businesses that do not? Share with us in the comments below.

About Millennium Agency

Millennium Agency is a nationally recognized, top woman led B2B branding, positioning, and digital marketing firm who knows how to create value that emotionally influences your customer’s buying decision, giving you the competitive advantage. As your trusted partner in B2B software technology and manufacturing, we provide the branding and positioning framework that make an impact – so you can focus on what you do best – run your business successfully. With offices in Boston and New Hampshire, and a worldwide presence, the professionals at Millennium Agency would like to learn more about your business.  Visit www.mill.agency or book time here.