AutomationLinks

1. Choose Plain Text for Personal Touch: Start with plain text emails to create a more personal connection and ensure higher open rates.
2. Customize for Brand Consistency: Utilize MailerLite’s customization features like logos, colors, and social links to make emails feel like an extension of your website.
3. Save and Test Templates: Save your designs as templates for future use and always send a test email to check for issues and device compatibility.
4. Engage with Purpose: Focus on sending emails that add value through educational content or exclusive offers, rather than just promotions, to keep subscribers engaged.
   

1. Keeping Your Customers Engaged
2. Setting Up Your Email Campaigns: A Guide to Keeping Your Audience Engaged
3. Crafting Your Campaign: Selecting the Right Type and Crafting a Catchy Subject
4. Creating Content That Connects: Choosing Between Plain Text and Newsletter
5. Crafting Your Email: Plain Text vs. Rich Text Editor
6. Streamlining Your Email Creation Process
7. Enhancing Your Email with Customization and Testing
8. Bringing It All Together

Connect With Us On X

Connect with AutomationLinks owner Brad Smith on X (formerly Twitter) here to learn more about advertising. Feel free to message him with any questions about X advertising and marketing.

Keeping in touch with your leads, visitors, and customers is super important. We definitely don't want them to forget you exist. There's this story about a business that lost a customer to someone else because, believe it or not, after three silent years, the customer just forgot about them. This shows why it's crucial to keep the convo going. Sending emails regularly helps make sure your brand stays in your audience's thoughts.

Picking the Best Tool: Why MailerLite Rocks

So, let's get into how we set this all up. The first step is picking the platform you'll use, and I've got to say, MailerLite is my top pick. Whether you're thinking about MailChimp, ActiveCampaign, Constant Contact, or any others, they're all pretty similar. But MailerLite? It stands out to me. It's packed with awesome templates and is super straightforward, which is perfect when you're juggling running your business. It's all about making things as easy as pie.

• Tons of Templates: Jumpstart your emails with pre-made designs.
• User-Friendly: It's so easy to use, you'll have your campaign up in no time.
• Flexible: Whether you're a pro or just starting, MailerLite adapts to your needs.
  

Once you've logged into MailerLite, the first thing you'll want to do is find the "Campaigns" section. If you're new around here, this area will be empty, a clean slate ready for your first campaign. If you've been with MailerLite for a while, you might see some of your previous campaigns listed. Either way, the next step is to hit "Create." MailerLite offers a variety of options for your campaign, but before choosing, there's something important to consider.

Choosing the Right Content: Empathy Is Key

When deciding what type of content to send in your emails, put yourself in your customers' shoes. Think about what kind of email you would appreciate receiving from your business. Is it something engaging and worth reading, or just another promotional message? This perspective is crucial when planning your campaigns. My advice? Lean towards offering educational content and value. Keep your emails concise and to the point. The goal of your email should be to entice recipients to take the next step—whether that's reading a blog post on your website, watching a video, or exploring a product. Remember, most people won't sit down to read lengthy emails, so keeping your message short and sweet is key. A helpful tip to remember: emails no longer than 250 words tend to have the best open and click rates.

Tips for Crafting Effective Email Campaigns:

• Empathy First: Always consider what your customer would find valuable and engaging.
• Educate and Add Value: Provide content that teaches and benefits your audience, not just promotions.
• Brevity is the Soul of Wit: Keep emails under 250 words to improve open and click rates. Your email should act as a teaser that encourages readers to explore further.
  

Once you're in the right spot on MailerLite, deciding on the type of campaign you want to send is the next step. For many, a regular campaign is the go-to, especially for those sending out newsletter-style emails. These are straightforward, and if you're looking to engage your audience with updates, insights, or stories from your business, they're perfect. If you're curious about automated emails, which work wonders for follow-ups or series, remember there are resources to dive deeper into that topic. But for now, let's focus on setting up a regular campaign, which we'll simply call "Test" for demonstration purposes.

The Art of the Subject Line and Preheader

Crafting a compelling subject line is crucial—it's your first impression, your foot in the door. Think of it as the headline of your email: "Here is an email you should open" is direct, but let's make it irresistible. Adding personal touches, like the recipient's name and your business name, can make your emails feel more personal and relevant. Not everyone will remember your name or your business off the bat, so reintroducing yourself in every email is a smart move.

The preheader text is another tool in your arsenal, acting as a teaser for what's inside the email. It's what people see after the subject line when they're deciding whether to open the email. You can use this space to create a sense of urgency or highlight the value inside: "This email is important" or "Exclusive tips inside!" are examples of how you can grab attention. This technique is something I stress with coaching clients because it's a game-changer for boosting open rates. MailerLite provides a preview feature so you can see exactly how your subject line and preheader will look to recipients, allowing you to fine-tune them for maximum impact.

Key Takeaways for Effective Email Campaigns:

As we dive into the heart of your email campaign, it’s crucial to understand the two main formats you can use: plain text and newsletter. Plain text emails mimic a personal message you might send from your Gmail or Outlook. They’re straightforward, lacking images, links, or buttons, which makes them appear more personal and direct. On the other hand, newsletters are more visually engaging, with images, links, and buttons that can make the email pop but might feel less personal to some recipients.

Why Plain Text Often Wins

I tend to lean towards and recommend using plain text emails, especially when you're aiming for a personal touch. Here’s why: plain text emails are more likely to land directly in the inbox, avoiding the dreaded spam folder. They often have higher open rates—sometimes double—that of newsletter-style emails. The simplicity and personal nature of a plain text email can make the recipient feel like you’re speaking directly to them, increasing the likelihood of a reply or a click-through. While newsletters have their place, especially for monthly updates or showcasing multiple products, starting with plain text emails can help establish a connection and encourage engagement.

Key Points to Remember When Crafting Your Email Content:

• Choose the Right Format: Decide between plain text for a personal touch or newsletters for a more visual approach.
• Plain Text for Personal Connection: These are more likely to be opened and can foster a direct conversation with your audience.
• The Goal of Your Email: Remember, the primary aim is to get your email opened and to encourage a click-through. Your email isn’t the place to tell your entire story; it’s a doorway inviting recipients to step into your world, be it your website, blog, or another platform.

When you're ready to create your email in MailerLite, you'll be met with a choice between different types of email formats. If you're leaning towards sending a plain text email, the interface simplifies to mimic the experience of composing an email in Gmail. This option strips away the frills, focusing on the message itself. Alternatively, MailerLite offers a range of pre-selected templates that can be used to create more visually engaging emails. These templates provide a good starting point for those looking to add a bit of flair to their communications.

Navigating the Rich Text Editor

For those opting to start with the rich text editor, you'll notice it's incredibly user-friendly. One of the first things you'll want to do is adjust the layout to full width and align the text to the left. This approach makes your email resemble the straightforwardness of a plain text email, rather than the centered, more formal look of a traditional newsletter. From there, you have the freedom to tweak the font styles, heading sizes, and button colors to match your brand's aesthetics. Importantly, ensure your physical address is included in the email to comply with email marketing regulations. The editing interface in MailerLite is intuitive, showing an edit box that makes customization simple and straightforward.

Tips for Using the Rich Text Editor Effectively:

• Layout Choices: Opt for a full-width layout with left-aligned text for a more personal, plain-text feel.
• Customization: Take advantage of the customization options for fonts, colors, and buttons to enhance your email's visual appeal while keeping it aligned with your brand identity.
• Compliance: Always include your physical business address in the email to adhere to email marketing laws and build trust with your recipients.
  

Moving on to MailerLite's Drag and Drop editor, this feature opens up a world of possibilities for those looking to send more visually rich, newsletter-style emails. Whether you're showcasing promotions, coupon codes, or addressing abandoned shopping carts, the Drag and Drop editor is incredibly versatile. MailerLite’s integration with your store can be a game-changer, especially for ecommerce sites. This functionality allows you to send targeted emails automatically, such as abandoned cart reminders, complete with images of the products that caught the eye of your potential customer.

Customization at Your Fingertips

The beauty of the Drag and Drop editor lies in its ease of use and flexibility. You can choose from multiple layout options, making it simple to create emails that align with your brand and message. Adjusting text, links, and images is straightforward, allowing you to craft engaging and interactive emails that resonate with your audience. This tool is particularly useful for creating content that demands attention and encourages action, enhancing your overall email marketing strategy.

Tips for Maximizing the Drag and Drop Editor:

• Save Time with Templates: Utilize MailerLite’s variety of templates to kickstart your email design process.
• Test for Consistency: Always send test emails to ensure your content looks great on all devices and that all interactive elements work as intended.
• Integrate for Impact: Take advantage of MailerLite’s ecommerce integrations to personalize your emails with products and offers based on your customers’ behavior.
• Customize for Your Brand: Use the customization options to tailor your emails, ensuring they reflect your brand’s style and voice.

In MailerLite's Drag and Drop editor, personalization and branding are key. Starting with settings, you have the opportunity to add your logo at the top of the email, ensuring immediate recognition. Adjusting the colors to match your brand enhances the visual appeal and creates a cohesive look. The ability to modify menu items and add links mirrors the navigational ease of a website, making your email an extension of your online presence. Don’t forget to include your social media links at the bottom, further connecting your subscribers to your broader online ecosystem.

Utilizing Blocks for Dynamic Content

The left-hand side houses a variety of blocks, each offering different functionalities that you can simply drag and drop into your email. This feature allows for immense flexibility in design and content layout. Whether you want to rearrange components for better flow or adjust images and text for clarity, everything is customizable. The tool enables you to edit text easily, ensure buttons link correctly, and even customize button colors to suit your brand’s palette. Remember, saving your finely tuned email as a template for future use is a smart practice, saving you time and maintaining consistency.

Effective Email Customization Tips:

• Brand Alignment: Ensure your email’s visual elements like logo, colors, and fonts align with your brand identity.
• Engagement Blocks: Explore different blocks to add variety and interactivity to your emails, such as images, call-to-action buttons, and social links.
• Test and Refine: Sending a test email to yourself is crucial. It allows you to check the email’s appearance on different devices and ensure all links are functioning as intended.
• Feedback Loop: Consider your own preferences and your customers’ feedback. Would you prefer a weekly or monthly newsletter? Adjust the frequency of your communications based on what keeps your audience engaged without overwhelming them.

So, we've navigated through the basics of kicking off your email campaigns with MailerLite, touching on everything from choosing your email vibe to personalizing with the Drag and Drop editor. The core takeaway? It's crucial to maintain that steady, engaging line of communication with your audience. Whether you're aiming for a more personal, plain-text approach or spicing things up with visually rich newsletters, the end goal is the same: to keep your brand top of mind and cultivate a genuine connection with your subscribers.

Keeping your email strategy sharp and consistent is key to turning those casual browsers into loyal customers. With MailerLite's toolkit at your disposal, it's about more than just sending emails—it's about building a community around your brand. Stay authentic, tailor your messages to resonate with your audience, and watch as your email marketing efforts help pave the way for your business's success.

AutomationLinks

AutomationLinks is a digital marketing agency located in Wilmington North Carolina. We have worked with over 6,000 businesses and nonprofits over the last 10 years. We believe in a relationship marketing approach to help you turn visitors into customers using automation.