Email marketing’s value keeps rising as businesses realize its true potential for wealth creation. In today’s competitive online market, companies must be able to reach consumers at home or work. Here are the top ten things to know before sending your email marketing campaign.

• Test Emails on Various Platforms
• Make Sure Your Newsletter is Spam Proof
• Enter a reply-to email address
• Give Something Valuable
• In/Out is Crucial for Your Reputation
• Frequency and Timing
• Brand Consistently
• Build Loyalty
• Place CTAs above the fold
• Include a Link to an Action

1. Test Emails on Various Platforms

People read email on PCs, Macs, tablets, smartphones, and browsers. Some platforms are notorious for handling complex emails poorly. So make sure your emails look the same on most of them.

2. Make Sure Your Newsletter is Spam Proof

Email spam detectors have gotten smarter over time. Your email may end up in a spam folder, preventing the recipient from reading it. Such tools as AWeber, MailChimp, and ExpressPigeon provide spam scores that tell you if your message is likely to be spammed.

3. Enter a reply-to email address

It’s very common for newsletters to come from [email protected]. If the reply-to email address isn’t set correctly, recipients will be unable to unsubscribe or comment on the email. Ensure that the reply-to field contains an email address for a staff member who can respond.

4. Give Something Valuable

Giving the reader what they want or need is a good way to gain trust. Advice, tips, discounts, and coupons keep customers interested and promote your services. A contest or a promotion will also keep visitors returning.

5. In/Out is Crucial for Your Reputation

Many websites still make it difficult to subscribe or unsubscribe from a newsletter. Without clear instructions on how to unsubscribe, a company’s reputation can suffer, not to mention legal repercussions. The procedure should be easy to follow.

6. Frequency and Timing

Many businesses send too many emails to customers. This email overload irritates people and may cause unsubscription. If you send email too rarely, people may forget who you are and wonder why they are receiving emails from you, leading to spam complaints. Consider how often you send newsletters and emails. Consider the timing as well.

7. Brand Consistently

Create an email template with your company’s logo. Develop a company voice that is evident in the email copy, website, and social media. This will help build organic relationships with your readers and establish your brand online.

8. Build Loyalty

Always provide valuable content that keeps readers interested in your emails. Include links to your brand’s Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn pages. Brand loyalty is higher among users who are connected to brands via social media. Encourage your readers to follow you on social media for a reward, such as a coupon or a chance to win a raffle.

9. Place CTAs above the fold

Most email readers skim most emails in a few seconds. So get your point across quickly. Put your CTA above the fold to maximize click-through rate.

10. Include a Link to an Action

Make sure every email you send has a hyperlinked call-to-action. An email without a call to action is useless, and a link encourages the reader to act.