Since the internet’s infancy, marketers have been evolving with the web to better reach their audience. As the internet has grown over the years, digital marketing strategies, including email marketing have done their best to maintain relevancy. One question still asked to this day is: “is email still important to users?” And, the answer is yes.
When the internet was first created, the main point of communication between users was email. Over time, as more and more scams and unsolicited spam mail crowded inboxes, people began wondering if email would last, especially within digital marketing strategies. But, email is here to stay it is a fantastic tool to revitalize your repair shop’s marketing strategies. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top 6 reasons you should be using email marketing to reach your audience.
Top 5 Reasons to Use Email Marketing for Your Repair Shop
1. Stay Connected in Real-Time
Emails are one of the best ways of keeping your customers informed, especially if your shop isn’t big on using social media. And now, with the constant use of smartphones, users have the ability to check their emails instantly. We live in a world of convenience, so users enjoy having the convenience of checking and answering emails without having to log onto a desktop computer. The increase of mobile internet has given digital marketers an advantage when it comes to connecting with their audience in real time. According to Adestra, 61 percent of email opens occur on a mobile device. Because users are constantly on their phones, it becomes easier to reach them during the day. With well-designed emails for any platform – mobile or otherwise – you will keep your audience well-informed, engaged, and important. As your repair shop begins an email marketing strategy, think of different ways to connect with your audience. Try sending emails like, “We’ve been thinking of you and wanted to follow up on your repair. Here is a special offer” or “We’ve been making changes and wanted to keep you updated!” Not only will this feel natural to your consumers, but it provides them with a reason to stay connected with you longer.
2. Promotes Engagement
As mentioned earlier, email has been a prime method of communication between users for years. Most users, in some way, have been taught how to reply (or not reply) to the many different types of emails they receive. Most emails sent from businesses are sent to provoke a certain level of engagement. You want the emails you send to have an effect on your audience. Try thinking of your emails as larger calls-to-action. A well-designed, thoughtful email will encourage your audience to take a specific action. That could be to reply, forward the emails to friends, click through links within the message, schedule an appointment, download or buy something. Engaging with your audience is a surefire way to keep them informed about what your business has to offer and lets them know they are important to you.
3. Increases Brand Awareness
Many companies in the repair business think the only way you can build or increase brand awareness is through social media. But using both can set you up for an even higher level of success. If you were given an email address by one of your customers, that means they showed a possibly higher level of interest in your repair shop. Most people refuse to give up their email because they are afraid of receiving spam and numerous, irrelevant emails. Having a list of emails from current and potential clients, though, means they want to be updated. This doesn’t mean you should start sending multiple emails every day or even every multiple each week. While it is important that you sell your services, customers genuinely like to stay up-to-date on other aspects of your business. Try some email marketing that promotes your activities in local charities or changes you’re making to your shop. It’s okay to still provide a call-to-action to encourage consumers to come into the shop, but the more you can promote your brand, the more your clients will trust you.
4. It’s Inexpensive
If we haven’t sold you on why you should be using email marketing yet, we’re about to. As a repair shop, you rely on customers needing work on their damaged vehicles for income. You may be worried about spending money where money shouldn’t be spent. Well, the great thing about email marketing is that it is extremely affordable. Businesses have the ability to reach a considerably large number of clients for less than a penny per message. There are also free email marketing services such as Mail Chimp which offers free plans allowing you to send thousands of emails a month without charge.
5. It’s Easy to Track
With email marketing, there is no need to constantly worry about whether your audience is receiving and opening your emails. This method of marketing is very easy to measure. Once you are set up and begin sending, you can track bounce rates, delivery rates, open rates, click-throughs and even unsubscribe rates. By tracking your email marketing, you will be able to see what is working and what is not. This will help you improve your strategies in the future. Tracking will also help you better understand your industry’s audience. Some people enjoy receiving daily emails while others can’t stand them. Ignoring what happens after you hit send won’t help you reach the right people during the right stage of the buyer’s journey.
The Future of Email Marketing
Email will always be an ever-changing aspect of the internet and how people communicate. And just like this form of communication, email marketing will continue to evolve as well. As digital marketers look ahead to where email marketing can take businesses, one focus seems to be on the personalization of content for recipients. While mobile is still a big player in the way users check email, there will always be consumers who prefer a different platform. Changes in technology will also influence the way you can market to your audience. More visual content is on the rise with the ability to stream videos and view infographics. A few years from now, inboxes may become more visual. The ability to preview an email and its content could affect the ability to have your repair shop’s audience click through important links and CTA’s.
But don’t let the fear of the future get you down. Do you have questions about email marketing? Do you need help getting started with your digital marketing campaign? Stratosphere Studio is here to help you! Let’s talk! We’d love to hear about your repair shop and your goals for your business.
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