Standing out in the email inbox is no easy feat—especially as a print shop in a digital world! Luckily, we’ve learned a thing or two from email marketing pros who have tried and tested email marketing strategies, which means you don’t have to. Before you craft your next email masterpiece or even think about hitting send, check out these five secrets that are so good we couldn’t keep them to ourselves.

1. Ensure every single subject line is compelling.

Think of your subject line as a first impression. It’s the one chance you have to get your audience to click through to your main message. That’s why your subject line is so important! There are many different ways you can craft a compelling headline, depending on the goal of your email. Here are just a few examples of attention-grabbing subject lines and why they work:

• Did we forget to tell you? Oh no…
  Some may call it “clickbait” and they’re not entirely wrong. However, a subject line like this works for a reason. It makes you want to know more. On the inside of the email, follow up with important information you didn’t want your audience to miss. This type of subject line is all about piquing the curiosity of your audience.
   
• LAST CHANCE: Get [insert offer] ONLY until midnight!
  Urgency has been proven to get more people to make decisions and open emails! If you are offering a printing special that is about to expire, this could be a great option to push some members of your audience to buy. Adding an extra discount or incentive is a great way to get them to purchase.
   
• [Name], you left your cart waiting, don’t forget to check out! 
  Adding personalization helps increase the likelihood that your message will be read. Why? Because everybody loves to feel special. Maybe they were on your online portal with a full cart but never hit “check out.” Personalization can help give them the nudge they need, and get your email read. 

2. Mobile-friendly is a must.

Chances are, you may be reading this on your phone. These days, our phones are for so much more than simply calling or sending a text. That’s why it’s important to ensure your emails are mobile-friendly. Just because an email looks great on the computer you’re sending it from doesn’t mean it will look the same from a mobile device. Send a test email to check the look and feel, and ensure you’re using an email marketing platform that also optimizes for mobile.

3. Send from a real person, even when automated.

While you’ll most likely be using an email marketing tool to help send, you should still sign and send your emails as a specific person versus the company in general. Why? Because people trust people. It humanizes the message you’re sending instead of your audience feeling like they’re just another number to your company. Even if the CEO isn’t actually hitting the send button, help craft the email with them and get their approval to sign their name to add that personal touch.

4. Include one call to action.

Consider what you ultimately want your audience to do after they open your email. Including too many links and calls to action is an easy mistake to make. Luckily, it’s just as easy to correct. For example, if you put a hyperlink toward the top of your email even though it’s well-intentioned, your audience may click the link and never come back to your email. Instead, make sure you have one single call to action to ensure you hold your audience’s attention and get them to take your intended action.

5. Make your audience feel special with meaningful messages.

Before you hit that send button, ask yourself: “Would I find this email meaningful?” Often, print shops get caught up in a cadence of sending emails so they use filler content that isn’t necessarily impactful. However, this is a sure way to get unsubscribes from your list. When you make a habit of sending only meaningful content to your audience, you’re likely to get more opens and less messages automatically hitting the trash.

As you can see, there’s no need to sweat the send. If you need some help getting your print shop the right tools to succeed at email marketing, we’re here to help. From automated sending to personalized messages, our services will help you send your message at exactly the right time and with minimal effort, so you can get back to running your day-to-day operations.

Reach out to learn more about our email marketing services—starting at just $30/month. Choose from hundreds of responsive, mobile-friendly and ready-made themes. It’s time to get ready to seamlessly send!