I like to think that all existing marketing vehicles are effective at some level. It's not the type of marketing tactic that's more important...it's how you use it. Even the most effective marketing vehicles can be train wrecks when applied in the wrong situation.

Other than the fact that you have to think in terms of large numbers to be successful, I think email is most effective when the following conditions exist:

1. Permission (customer is in the right, open state of mind as they click on that email)

2. Right message at the right time in the sales cycle (eg problem-solution content when I am in the early research stage......contrast-compare content when I am in the consideration stage.......special time-bound offer when I am in the final decision stage)

3. A message that has stopping power (where the art of marketing comes in...even the best offer, if poorly articulated will never be noticed)

and finally

4. A clear call to action - (not 2 not 3 not 5 possible routes for the customer to proceed....just one clear call to action)

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YourEzineCoach

Posted on March 5, 2010

If email is used legally and effectively, then yes, it is still the most effective marketing channel. The Direct Marketing Association's statistics confirm that email marketing is #1 in terms of Return on Investment (ROI)

Of course, this applies to permission-based (or opt-in) email marketing. If by "bulk email marketing" you mean harvesting email addresses and "blasting" them with promotional messages, I guess that, too, must still be effective, otherwise the spammers would have given up a long time ago.

One of the first things you need to set up for a legit email campaign is an account with a reputable email service provider. Depending on your needs, you will probably find a good fit by trying one of the two companies I use and recommend via my affiliate links:

http://myMadMimi.com
http://iContactEmail.com

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.
eMarketing Coach and Developer
http://ibizAcademy.com

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Nigel Penhearow

Posted on March 12, 2010

Business Link (UK Governments business web site (see link) states that response rates are around 3 -4 %. There are programmes available, that mainly interface with Outlook, that can personalise each and every email that is sent out, thus personalisation may prompt a better response.

Word of warning though. Legislation in certain countries may classify email blasts with the recipients consent as being SPAM and potentially illegal so check this out before you proceed.

Links:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1073...

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Andy Jarabak

Posted on March 22, 2010

I have done bulk emailing and found open rates of 1 - 2% and click thru's of .4% compared to proprietary lists were opne rates are closed 15% and click thru's to landing pages are 5% or more. I still think bulk email is a useful tool for branding or keeping your company active in the market.

I have though found a targeted direct mail campaign to be more effective for getting sales.

http://www.yourmarketingguru.com

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