Are you looking to take your email marketing to the next level? An email blast (or broadcast) might be just what you need. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down exactly what email blasts are, why they still matter, and most importantly, how to create and send email blasts the RIGHT way.
As a WordPress expert, I‘ve seen firsthand how effective a well-crafted email blast can be for engaging your audience and driving results. So let‘s dive in!
What Is An Email Blast?
An email blast is a single email message sent to a large group of recipients simultaneously. Unlike automated triggered emails or one-to-one messages, email blasts are sent manually to an entire list or segment at the same time. The goal is to share a universal message with a broad audience.
While some marketers consider email blasts outdated, the data tells a different story:
- Email has an ROI of $36 for every $1 spent (Litmus)
- 78% of marketers have seen an increase in email engagement over the past year (Hubspot)
- 60% of consumers say they‘ve made a purchase as the result of a marketing email (Constant Contact)
When done right, email blasts are a powerful tool to deliver important information, nurture leads, and boost sales. The key is treating them as targeted broadcasts rather than spammy mass emails.
How to Do An Email Blast in 5 Steps
Now that you know the potential impact of email blasts, let‘s look at how to create and send them strategically. Here‘s my step-by-step process:
Step 1: Build a healthy email list
Never buy, rent or scrape email addresses. The only way to ensure an engaged list is to get people to opt in willingly. Some effective tactics:
- Place signup forms throughout your WordPress site
- Offer a lead magnet like an ebook or discount code
- Run contests or giveaways
- Add an opt-in checkbox to checkout and contact forms
- Promote your newsletter on social media
Step 2: Segment your list
Segmenting your list means dividing it into smaller groups based on characteristics like:
- Demographics (age, gender, location)
- Interests and preferences
- Actions taken (link clicks, past purchases)
For example, you could create separate segments for new leads vs current customers. Or vegetarians vs meat-eaters if you‘re a food blogger.
According to Campaign Monitor, marketers who use segmented campaigns note as much as a 760% increase in revenue. The more targeted your email blasts, the better.
Common email marketing platforms like Constant Contact or Mailchimp make it easy to segment based on multiple conditions:
(Source: Campaign Monitor)
Step 3: Craft compelling email content
The key elements of a high-performing email blast are:
- A subject line that grabs attention
- Concise body copy focused on benefits
- A clear call-to-action
- Skimmable formatting with bullet points and images
- Responsive mobile-friendly design
Most importantly, make sure your content provides real value to the recipient. Share helpful tips, must-have resources, exclusive offers, or important updates.
Check out this example email blast from productivity app Evernote announcing a new feature:
(Source: Really Good Emails)
Notice how it combines a bold headline, clear product screenshots, and multiple CTAs to "Get Started." The copy highlights benefits like "Find notes faster" and "Never forget a detail."
Step 4: Test and personalize
With email marketing, there‘s always room to optimize. I recommend A/B testing elements like:
- Subject lines
- Sender name
- CTA copy and placement
- Email length
- Images vs no images
Tools like Optimizely make it easy to run tests and see what resonates with your specific audience.
(Source: Campaign Monitor)
In addition to testing different variations, personalization is another way to boost engagement:
- Include the recipient‘s name in the subject line and greeting
- Recommend content or products based on their interests
- Mention their company name or previous interactions
Step 5: Track and measure results
Finally, don‘t hit send and forget it. One of the biggest benefits of email blasts is real-time, detailed analytics on performance.
Keep an eye on key metrics like:
- Open rate
- Click-through rate
- Conversion rate
- Bounce rate
- Unsubscribes
Use this data to see what‘s working and make improvements for next time. Set benchmarks and goals to work towards.
On average, here are the email marketing benchmarks across industries:
| Metric | Average |
|---|---|
| Open Rate | 21.3% |
| Click Rate | 2.6% |
| Unsubscribe Rate | 0.2% |
(Source: Campaign Monitor)
FAQs on Email Blasts
Still have questions about email blasts? I‘ve got you covered:
What‘s the ideal length for an email blast?
Aim for 50-125 words. People have short attention spans, so focus on one key message and make every word count. Use formatting like subheads and bullet points for easy skimming.
How often should I send email blasts?
There‘s no magic number, but in general 1-2 times per week is a good starting point. Monitor your unsubscribe and engagement rates and adjust accordingly. The key is consistency and value.
What‘s the best day and time to send an email blast?
This depends on your audience, but generally mid-morning and mid-day during the work week (Tues-Thurs) get the best open rates. Again, test to see what works for your specific list.
How can I avoid the spam folder?
Some tips to improve email deliverability:
- Authenticate your domain
- Remove inactive subscribers regularly
- Avoid spammy words like "FREE" or "Act Now!"
- Include an unsubscribe link
- Send from a reputable IP address
Go Forth and Send Effective Email Blasts
There you have it – a deep dive into email blasts and how to leverage them in your marketing mix. The key takeaways:
- Email is still one of the most effective marketing channels
- Segment and personalize for maximum relevance
- Focus on providing genuine value, not promotions
- Always be testing and iterating based on data
Ready to level up your email game? Choose a reputable email marketing service, build your list the right way, and start sending targeted, compelling broadcasts. Your audience (and bottom line) will thank you.
