Curious about email blasts and how to execute them effectively? An email blast, also known as a broadcast or mass email, involves sending a single email message to a substantial number of subscribers in your mailing list. Widely utilized for promotional content and newsletters, this strategy can significantly boost sales and drive traffic for bloggers. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of performing an email blast the right way and provide illustrative examples.
Understanding Email Blasts
An email blast entails dispatching a single email message to an entire mailing list, a large segment of it, or even multiple lists simultaneously. Often referred to as broadcast emails, mass emails, bulk emails, e-blasts, or email campaigns, these messages target a broad audience within your mailing list. At WPBeginner, we leverage email blasts to showcase our premium WordPress plugins and disseminate helpful tutorials. For instance, observe the email campaign All in One SEO for WordPress, sent during their birthday sale event. If your aim is to inform all subscribers about special offers, email blasts stand out as a reliable and efficient communication method.
Are Email Blasts Outdated?
Despite being a powerful means of reaching a large audience, some view email blasts as an outdated communication method. This perception stems from the fact that these bulk emails are sent to everyone on the list, irrespective of individual preferences, priorities, and needs. Recipients may find blast emails irrelevant, leading to actions such as ignoring the message, marking it as spam, or unsubscribing. Common reasons why users dislike email blasts include:
- Unsegmented: Email blasts often lack segmentation, disregarding the diverse interests of subscribers.
- Untargeted: These emails send the same message to everyone, risking disengagement and unsubscribes.
- Not personalized: Lack of personalization can result in emails being marked as spam.
- Unexpected: Broadcast emails may catch recipients off guard, creating a sense of resistance.
In the current landscape where various marketing methods like social media and pay-per-click advertising are available, some question the relevance of email blasts. However, email remains the most reliable form of communication globally. With advancements in technology, there are more effective ways to execute email blasts and achieve better results. The following section outlines how to conduct an email blast the right way.
How to Execute an Email Blast “the Right Way” – Step by Step
Marketers, both from large corporations and small businesses, continue to use email blasts to promote product launches, discounts, and more, yielding impressive results. Success lies in doing email blasts the right way. For those not well-versed in marketing, the following steps serve as a guide to execute a successful email blast:
- Step 1: Choose the Best Email Blast Service
To initiate an email blast, you need a robust email marketing service that allows you to create, segment, and send bulk emails. Popular options include Constant Contact, Brevo, Drip, and ConvertKit. While all these services offer valuable features, Constant Contact stands out as the most beginner-friendly option. It provides pre-made email templates, a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, options for collecting emails, automation features, and segmentation capabilities. Sign up for a Constant Contact account to access a free trial. Alternatively, consider Brevo, which offers a free email marketing plan.
- Step 2: Create Your Email List
An email list is a compilation of email addresses to which you send messages. In Constant Contact, create a list by navigating to the ‘Contacts’ menu, selecting ‘Create List,’ entering a name for the list, and clicking ‘Save.’ Add contacts to your list through various methods such as typing, uploading from a file, or importing from other applications.
- Step 3: Segment Your Email List
Segmentation is a crucial step in a successful email blast. Divide your email subscribers into smaller groups based on criteria such as gender, age, location, interests, and more. Constant Contact facilitates this process through the ‘Segments’ tab under the ‘Contacts’ menu. Create segments by choosing criteria relevant to your campaign goals, such as contact activity or details. Save and preview your segments for targeted communication.
- Step 4: Create a Targeted Email Campaign
With segments in place, proceed to design a targeted email campaign. In Constant Contact, go to the ‘Campaigns’ menu, click ‘Create,’ and select the ‘Email’ option. Choose from pre-made templates, customize your campaign with a user-friendly builder, and personalize content to match your brand. Save and continue when satisfied with the design.
