Email marketing is the use of email to promote products or services while developing relationships with potential customers or clients. It is essentially direct mail done electronically instead of through the postal service.
Learn about the perks of email marketing, methods do it right, and how it compares to some other forms of marketing.
What Is Email Marketing?
Anytime a company sends out an email, aside from order confirmations and direct responses to customer questions, it could be considered a form of email marketing. Email marketing is one segment of internet marketing, which encompasses online marketing via websites, social media, blogs, and more.
Email marketing can include newsletters with updates on the company, or promotions of sales and exclusive deals for subscribers. Marketing emails may also seek to share a general message on the company’s behalf, such as in the wake of a natural disaster or company scandal.
At its best, email marketing allows businesses to keep their customers informed and tailor their marketing messages to their audience. At its worst, this kind of marketing can drive customers away with persistently annoying spam emails.
How Email Marketing Works
It’s easy to set up and track an email marketing campaign, which makes it accessible for small businesses. You can add a newsletter sign-up option to your website, for instance. As people sign up, you can send newsletters to a growing audience. You can also direct customers to the newsletter from your social media profiles.
A regular newsletter is a simple and effective way to send updates about your company, upcoming events, and special offers. Email software also makes it easy to schedule automated promotional emails for customers who haven’t purchased recently.
Email marketing allows you to target particular groups of customers or even specific individuals. Offering individual customers special birthday deals on merchandise or services is one way to do this.
A restaurant, for instance, might send an email to customers on their birthdays offering 50% off an entree. This kind of personalization helps a business develop and maintain a relationship with a customer—and that can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.
Email Marketing Remains Relevant
In the age of social media, it’s tempting to write off email. However, there is statistical evidence that it remains an important aspect of marketing efforts. For instance:
Experts with the email marketing company Litmus estimate that email marketing returns an average of $42 for every $1 spent.1
One survey found that 59% of respondents were influenced by email when it came to purchasing decisions.2
A study of more than 1 billion shopping sessions in 2019 found that email marketing has a conversion rate of 2.3%, compared to 1% for social media.3
One huge advantage of email over social media is that customers are more likely to see an email than social media. Just posting something on social media doesn’t mean that everyone you want to see your message will see it. However, an email will sit in an inbox until it’s read (or deleted).
Ideally, email marketing should go hand in hand with social media. Adding social media “Like” or “Share” buttons to your marketing emails gives an additional way for customers to connect with your brand. Snippets of positive reviews from social media fans can be included in emails, and social media posts can drive customers to your email newsletters.
Email Marketing Strategies
Effective email marketing takes effort. Here are a few strategies for making the most of your email marketing campaigns.
Build Your Own List
All you’re going to do by sending an unsolicited email is turn off most of the people you were hoping to turn into customers. Whether through your website, in your store, or at an event, make it clear when customers are opting in to receiving your emails.
Follow the Law
Email marketers must adhere to the rules of the CAN-SPAM Act. These rules include having a non-deceptive subject line, providing a clear way to unsubscribe, and including your name and address at the end of the emails.4
Mix Up Your Messages
Don’t just send out ads to buy all the time. Use your emails to build rapport with customers by sharing your expertise or that of others, giving them tips and insights they can value. Share information that lets them know more about you and your company.
Respect Your Subscribers
Treat your list well. Remember that the people you’re communicating with have trusted you with their information; they deserve your respect. If you want a chance to convert them from customers to fans and even evangelists for your brand, then make them feel special.
Follow a Schedule
Stick to a schedule if you’re doing a newsletter. Sending out an email on the same day (or days) every week will help your subscribers know what to expect from you and when.
Optimize for Mobile
Studies by marketing analysts with the company Litmus have consistently found that just under half of all emails are opened on mobile devices.5 That means, if your email doesn’t display correctly on mobile platforms, half of your audience is going to think you don’t know how to properly craft an email.
Today, for the 7th consecutive day, the Sensex of BSE and Nifty of NSE have seen great gains. Today at 11 o’clock Nifty had crossed the 14,000 mark. At the same time, the Sensex also continued to rise. Many smallcap, midcap and large cap stocks have given huge returns to investors this year. Market analysts expect the stock market to remain bullish in 2021 as well as in the year 2020. In such a situation, brokerage firm ShareKhan has selected 10 such stocks, which can give returns of 10 to 41% to investors in the short term. Here are the top 10 picks of ShareKhan…
NTPC: Sharekhan has given buy ratings to the stocks of National Thermal Power Corporation Limited and the target price of its share has been fixed at Rs 140. The brokerage firm says that its shares can give 41% returns to investors in a matter of days. Today at 1.45 pm, its stock is trading 0.55% down at Rs 98.55 per share. Sharekhan says that the operational performance of the company has improved. With this, the share buyback price of the company is around the book value of NTPC at Rs 11 per share. Also, the company is offering 6-7% dividend to its investors. With this, its shares are expected to rise in the short and mid-term.
RBL Bank: The brokerage firm has fixed a target price of Rs 295 for the share of RBL Bank. Right now its shares are trading at a price of Rs 231.60, down 0.39%. Whereas, on December 30, its shares opened at a price of Rs 229. Sharekhan believes that its shares will give a return of 27% to the investors in the short to mid term. It believes that the bank’s asset quality is yet to improve, but the bank’s profit is expected to be stable in 2021. The outlook of the bank is positive.
Sundram Fasteners: The target price of the share of this company has been fixed at Rs 650 and it is expected that the company will give a return of 24% to its investors in a very short time. Right now its shares are trading at Rs 520 with a fall of 0.42% in the stock market. The company’s automotive and non-automotive demand is showing recovery, with the company’s business expected to pick up in FY2022. Because of this the brokerage firm has given it buy ratings.
LIC Housing Finance: Sharekhan has fixed a target price of Rs 440 in the short and mid term for the stocks of LIC Housing Finance. The company’s shares are currently trading at a price of Rs 362.65 with a gain of 0.65%. Given the company’s outlook, high credit rating, growth prospects and stable profit margins, the brokerage firm expects its shares to give investors 23% returns in a short span of time.
Affle India: Sharekhan has given buy ratings to the stocks of Affle India and the target price of its shares has been fixed at Rs 4600. The brokerage firm says that its shares can give 22% returns to investors in a matter of days. Today at 1.45 pm, its stock is trading 0.60% higher at Rs 3794 per share. Sharekhan says that in the field of mobile advertising, Affle India will benefit from increasing the budget of ads by companies. The outlook of the company is positive and the cash flow is also good, due to which Share Khan has suggested a bet on it.
Larsen & Toubro: The brokerage firm has fixed a target price of Rs 1550 for the L&T share. Right now its shares are trading at a price of Rs 1299 with a gain of 0.51%. Sharekhan believes that its shares will give more than 20% returns to investors in the short to mid term. It believes that the company will benefit from the government’s self-reliant India campaign in the defense sector. Along with this, the orders received by the company have also increased. Because of this, Sharekhan has picked it up.
Jubilant FoodWorks: The target price of the share of this company has been fixed at Rs 3145 and it is expected that the company will give a return of 17% to its investors in a very short time. Right now its shares are trading at Rs 2753 with a rise of 2.64% in the stock market. The company has revised its earnings estimates and expects it to perform better in the times to come. In addition, the company has also expanded its portfolio. Because of this the brokerage firm has given buy ratings to it.
Aurobindo Pharma: Sharekhan has fixed a target price of Rs 1024 in the short term for the stocks of Aurobindo Pharma. The company’s shares are currently trading at a price of Rs 927.75 with a gain of 2.32%. The company expects a tremendous growth in its business in the US. Along with this, the company is going to launch many products. With its positive outlook, growth prospects, and rising profits and demand in Europe following a slump in profits, the brokerage firm expects its shares to deliver 13% returns to investors in a short period of time.
Tech Mahindra: The brokerage firm has fixed a target price of Rs 1100 for the share of Tech Mahindra. Right now its shares are trading at a price of Rs 973.70 with a fall of 0.97%. Sharekhan believes that its shares will give more than 12% return to the investors in the short to mid term. He believes that the company will benefit from the spread of 5G. Along with this, the revenue of the company is also expected to increase. Because of this, Sharekhan has picked it up.
KEI Industries: Sharekhan has fixed a target price of Rs 540 for this company in the short and mid term. The company’s shares are currently trading at a price of Rs 479 with a fall of 2.24%. Company’s Outlook, Growth Pros।
Review websites. Give feedback on people’s websites to improve their usability.
Do voice-over work. Lend your talents to commercials, trailers, and audiobooks.
Complete online surveys. Make extra cash by sharing your opinions.
Be a mystery shopper. Get paid to review businesses and share your experience as a customer.
Test games and software. Provide developers with insights into their software’s user experience.
Sell stock photos and footage. Ideal for photographers and videographers looking for a way to make passive income.
Sell second-hand items. Declutter your home and sell anything from clothes, appliances, and vehicles.
Sell school notes. Popular among students who want to maintain good grades while making money on the side.
Carry out small jobs. Excellent for people with limited technical skills and who don’t have much free time.
Monetize art and designs. Sell products bearing your designs or do art commissions.
Let’s take a closer look at these money-making ideas and discuss some tips to make your online business successful.
1. Test Websites and Give Feedback
If you have a keen eye for website design and development, consider becoming a website tester. It’s a great freelance job to make fast cash and a good starting point for newbies looking to enter the web development industry.
As a website tester, it’s necessary to have critical and logical thinking skills, excellent communication skills, and knowledge of website functionality and design. These factors can help improve job prospects and test-reporting quality.
Payments are project-based, and rates differ based on testing methods and the marketplace’s policy. For example, UserTesting offers between $4–$120/test, where the higher earnings threshold is for people doing live conversation tests with clients.
2. Do Voice-Over Work
Performing voice-over work is an excellent way to quickly make money online. Most voice-over jobs are project-based, so long-term commitment isn’t required.
Best of all, companies are always looking for new voice-over talent. Here are just a few examples of how to use your voice to make good money:
Audiobooks. Help bring a story to life by lending your voice to children’s storybooks, novels, and everything in between.
Advertisements and commercials. Ads with voice-overs are still a popular way for companies to market their products and services.
Trailers. Movies, shows, and even events create trailers to build anticipation.
Demonstration videos. Some companies create how-to videos and hire voice-over talent to help demo their products.
Guides. Audio guides are used by museums, galleries, travel agencies, and tourist destinations to help enhance the visitor experience.
The amount you earn from doing voice-over projects depends on your experience, the project type, and the script length. For example, the average salary of a voice-over artist doing small to medium projects in the United States is around $40.11/recording hour.
On the other hand, audiobook voice talents can earn up to $125/recording hour and $500/finished hour – the latter referring to a book’s reading time.
The Voice Over page on the Upwork website..One of the easiest ways to get started is by creating a profile on Upwork and responding directly to job ads looking for voice-over talent. Signing up on freelance websites is an excellent way to test the waters and compare voice-over jobs currently available.
Alternatively, sign up on sites like Voices or ACX which connect voice-over talents with clients and audiobook narrators with authors.
3. Complete Online Surveys
It might sound too good to be true, but you can earn extra cash by completing surveys online.
Today, many companies pay people to participate in their surveys, which are typically used for general market research and consumer behavior analysis. They also help companies make business decisions, like what types of products to launch or where to publish advertisements.
However, note that not everyone can do online surveys. Take a look at some of the reasons listed below:
Limited demographic. Some surveys aren’t open for everybody and instead target specific people. This can be based on variables like gender, age, or occupation.
Low pay. Many online survey websites use a point system. Accumulate points after completing surveys and cash out after reaching a certain earnings threshold. For example, you can earn anywhere between $0.50-$3/survey. However, you won’t see this money unless you reach the earnings threshold, which could be between $10-$25.
Time-consuming. Due to the payout systems of most survey websites, you’ll have to dedicate a lot of time to see real returns. Some surveys can even take up to one hour to complete.
Not for the long-term. Unlike some of the other entries in this article, you won’t be able to transition this into a full-time job for the reasons stated above.
The Paid Surveys page on the Swagbucks website.
If the drawbacks don’t phase you, here are some popular survey sites:
Swagbucks. Earn points and redeem them for cash or gift cards by watching videos, playing games, and completing surveys.
Harris Poll Online. Enter a rewards program by answering polls run by this survey platform.
4. Become a Mystery Shopper
If you’re an avid shopper, becoming a mystery shopper is an excellent way to make some extra money.
Retailers and market research companies hire mystery shoppers to shop at specific locations and report on the overall consumer experience. It’s a way to monitor customer service, store conditions, and product quality without employees knowing they’re being examined.
Although this option isn’t fully online, there is also remote mystery shopper work. These jobs, for example, require testing service quality at call centers or evaluating an online shopping experience.
Here are a few of the most popular companies where people can sign up to become mystery shoppers:
Market Force. Get hired by grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, and even gas station convenience shops to try out their products and services.
BestMark. Become a field representative or evaluator to help companies improve their business operations.
Secret Shopper. Go out for lunch or visit a resort and get reimbursed for your assessment.
Payments for mystery shoppers vary depending on the company. For each job completed, you either get reimbursed for the items purchased, receive vouchers and gift cards, or earn between $10–$25 on average.
To avoid scams, remember that you should never pay to become a mystery shopper. Note that as an independent contractor, companies can’t force you to take on a certain number of jobs even after signing up.
5. Test Games and Apps
In 2021, the online gaming industry was worth $178.73 billion, with an increase of 14.4% from 2020.
It also holds the largest share in the global digital media market. As a result, many opportunities have appeared for users to make money online by testing games and gaming apps.
Mistplay website homepage.
Some games or apps, like Mistplay, require players to perform specific tasks and collect rewards in gaming currencies that can be redeemed as dollars later. The Global Beta Test Network by Keywords Studios pays people to play games before release. Other platforms like Givling and Golden Hearts Games offer online games with real cash prizes.
While these games and apps provide an easy way to make money online, make sure to check reviews before installing or signing up for them. Some use these platforms as a front for scams, stealing personal information and bank details.
6. Sell Stock Photos and Footage
If you’re an avid photographer or videographer, consider selling stock photos and footage to generate a passive income. It’s a great way to practice your passion while earning extra money on the side.
Many companies and business owners use stock content in their marketing campaigns, ads, and websites. In addition to the standard stock photo format, buyers constantly look for fresh ideas and unique perspectives to make their company stand out.
You can make a photography website and sell photos there. At the same time, it’s a good idea to sign up on a few online marketplaces and list your digital downloads. That way, you’ll get a head start at cultivating your personal brand while promoting it to potential buyers.
Some of the biggest stock photography and videography websites include:
Shutterstock. Offers multiple earning levels based on the number of downloads.
Getty Images. Pays at a royalty rate of 15%-45% depending on the license exclusivity agreement.
VideoHive. This platform deals in stock videos and photos as part of the larger Envato ecosystem. The earnings depend on the number of items sold and whether you sell exclusively on the platform.
Dissolve. Specializes in selling high-quality curated stock videos and photos, with a standard royalty rate of 30% of the net selling price for non-exclusive contributors. Exclusive contributors can get higher rates upon request.
7. Sell Second-Hand Items
Selling or renting second-hand items is another excellent way to make money immediately and a great motivation to start decluttering your space.
Once you inventory the items to sell, make sure to take high-quality images before listing them on online marketplaces. If you plan to do this in the longer term, also consider building a website to host your own online store.
One of the most popular categories to sell online is clothing. The market value of the second-hand clothing industry is predicted to reach $77 billion by 2026.
Tradesy website homepage.
There are plenty of online marketplaces catering to the second-hand clothing and accessories market. Here are a few examples:
Tradesy. Specializes in women’s clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories.
Etsy. An excellent marketplace to sell unique, handmade, and vintage items.
Rebelle. Sell clothes and accessories on this second-hand luxury online retailer.
Depop. A popular platform for both vintage and designer goods.
Other than clothes and accessories, make money online by selling used items such as furniture, gadgets, sports equipment, and art tools. The used car market also saw a rise in demand in 2020.
Some of the best online marketplaces to sell used items of all categories on include:
eBay. A popular choice for various types of products, including collectibles and vehicles.
Gadget Salvation. Focuses on used gadgets like laptops, phones, and tablets.
Facebook Marketplace. An ideal option for targeting local buyers.
Reverb. A great place to sell musical instruments and gear.
Fat Llama. An excellent option for people wanting to list items for others to lease instead of selling them.
8. Sell School Notes
Selling copies of school notes is one of the easiest ways for students to make money fast.
When selling school notes, make sure you aren’t committing plagiarism or academic misconduct. For example, do not disclose homework assignments or tests. Similarly, never sell or distribute copyrighted material.
A safe bet is to sell notes containing general but insightful information about a subject, such as modules, flashcards, and study guides. Also, be careful not to present your notes as facts but simply as supplementary study documents.
Aside from student or alumni message boards and community forums, here are some of the best places to sell school notes and earn spare cash on:
Nexus Notes. They offer a 50% commission per set of notes sold.
NoteXchange. Sell notes for $5-$40 and earn a 100% commission if you become an affiliate.
Notesgen. With over 5.5 million users, this India-based platform accepts handwritten notes and presentation slides. Note prices range between ₹100-₹1000.
OneClass. Earn up to 20% of recurring revenue when someone subscribes to your content.
9. Carry Out Micro Jobs
A micro job is a short-term, temporary job that pays per task completed. Earnings vary, averaging from a few cents to $50/task.
Micro jobs are a good way to make money fast. They generally take minutes to a couple of hours to complete, giving people the freedom to do multiple tasks in their spare time.
This is a great option for freelancers, new graduates, and college students since these jobs also help you gain experience and build a portfolio. The most common online micro jobs include blogging, short translations, data entry, and administrative tasks.
In addition to checking out local classifieds, try finding micro jobs on these websites:
Fiverr. One of the most popular platforms for a variety of small jobs, from logo designing to translations.
Amazon Mechanical Turk. An excellent platform for people with video, image, and data processing skills.
Appen. A great option for doing small jobs like transcribing or categorizing data.
10. Sell Art and Designs
Selling digital products is one of the best ways for artists to earn extra money.
List your creations on art marketplaces like DeviantArt and ArtStation. This is a great way to gain exposure in the online community of creatives and reach potential clients.
The Start Selling on ArtStation Marketplace page on the ArtStation website.
Alternatively, sell artwork and designs independently via social media. For example, Facebook had over 2 billion monthly active users as of October 2021, while Instagram had over 1 billion. Such numbers make these platforms great for increasing exposure.
Selling on social media is a good way to make money fast, especially if you promote your art among specific networks.
For example, sell through a sales channel like Facebook Marketplace and promote products by joining groups and interacting with potential buyers. Alternatively, sell via Instagram by activating the Instagram Shopping feature on a profile specifically dedicated to your artwork.