When it comes to marketing, there are many different tasks to keep track of. Businesses in today’s busy world can certainly benefit from automation. Email marketing is one tool used to engage audiences but is not automation in and of itself. Here, we will look at email marketing defined and how it differs from a larger-scale automation strategy, which can include how you approach sending marketing emails and so much more.
What Is Email Marketing?
A basic email marketing strategy involves sending standalone email blasts. Once your newsletter or marketing message is completed, the email is sent manually to a list of recipients. Writing emails for different targets and demographics is done manually too. All the while, the email blast must hit the right people at the right time.
There is no segmentation or personalization associated with standard email marketing. This doesn’t give your sales team much leverage in finding qualified leads or finding anyone ready to make a purchase. Hoping your message resonates with someone is not a time- or cost-effective way to do business.
In addition to being time-consuming and not supportive for your sales team, basic email marketing does not:
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Allow you to nurture your audience and keep leads engaged.
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Scale with your company as it grows, making it even more time-consuming.
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Enable your team to connect marketing strategies with revenue growth.
How Does Marketing Automation Work?
Marketing automation is a software-driven process in which all digital interactions are monitored. Data for leads are automatically compiled on a centralized dashboard. On a larger scale, it is about automating internal processes. Nonetheless, it can include sending out marketing emails as well as communicating with leads via text or telephone.
By creating specific messages, you can target new leads that have yet to convert. You can also check in with regular clients and send them notifications and reminders on a routine basis. The means by which a certain message is delivered is set with user-friendly controls. Once you choose whom the message is going to, the system does the rest.
Combination email marketing and automation delivers a huge support for small businesses who want to bring leads.