Feb 11
Small Businesses double down for 2026: Majority plan to increase marketing budgets to combat inflation: Constant Contact. Read the full article
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Small Businesses double down for 2026: Majority plan to increase marketing budgets to combat inflation: Constant Contact. Read the full article
As a busy small business owner/marketing professional, you have a lengthy to-do list. Crafting engaging content, launching email campaigns, analyzing data, and other routine tasks can quickly pack your schedule. Add the constant pressure to keep up with the latest digital marketing trends, and you may feel ready to pull your hair outâor at least take a long coffee break.You can permanently cross some items off your to-do list by implementing a marketing automation strategy. This term refers to using innovative software and tools to automate marketing and sales operations. Marketing automation allows you to spend less time on repetitive manual tasks and more time developing high-value client relationships.This comprehensive guide explores the importance of marketing automation in todayâs increasingly competitive digital landscape. Weâll also investigate the benefits of marketing automation and features to look for when shopping for a platform.The Benefits of Using Marketing AutomationMarketing automation does more than improve the productivity of marketing and sales professionals. This technology also offers numerous benefits for companies in all industries, from banking to manufacturing. Advantages include:- Personalized marketing- Increased brand awareness- More consistent communication with clients- Nuanced data analytics- Stronger customer relationshipsCheck out How to Get Started with Marketing AutomationDeliver Personalized ContentCustomers constantly get spammed with generic and irrelevant advertising. Stand out from the crowd by using marketing automation to deliver hyper-personalized content.Personalized content aligns with customersâ interests, goals, and pain points. This approach provides more value than one-size-fits-all marketing because it speaks directly to the needs of individual clients.Marketing automation platforms like Constant Contact facilitate the delivery of personalized content. This software automatically gathers and analyzes customer data from email, social media, and other sources. That way, you can better understand each clientâs preferences.Constant Contact shares a Hints & Tips email newsletter with email subscribers to share small business marketing advice. The subscriberâs first name is used in a call-to-action section using marketing automation. Source: Constant ContactOther ways Constant Contact allows you to combine automation and personalization include:- Develop automated messaging paths based on client demographics- Send automated emails that reference current events or weather conditions in the customerâs geographic location- Automatically schedule emails for the times when clients are most likely to open themThese subtle touches can distinguish between a client deleting your email without a second thought and enthusiastically engaging with your brand.Set Up Automated WorkflowsAutomated marketing workflows are specific sequences of events triggered by certain actions. After you set up automated workflows, the software performs these processes at predetermined times without human intervention.Tasks That You Can AutomateWhat do automated workflows look like in action? Say a new client visits your website and fills out a form on your landing page. They provide information about their age, gender, and products theyâre interested in. Based on this data, your marketing automation software can generate a series of personalized welcome emails with coupons for relevant productsâall without you having to lift a finger.Here are a few other examples of marketing automation tasks:- Invite clients to renew subscriptions before they expire- Send clients blog posts and newsletters that fit their interests- Remind customers about expiring rewards points- Promote products related to their browsing history- Offer discounts to re-engage inactive clients- Provide coupons for clients who abandon their cartsRetail stores often use marketing automation to remind customers about products they browsed online. Image Source: Forever 21Automating these routine tasks streamlines your workflows and lets you dedicate more time to essential tasks, such as nurturing client relationships.Related: Customer Loyalty: Ten Ways to Earn More Repeat BuyersHow Marketing Automation WorksWhat is marketing automation? This process sounds complex, but the mechanics are simple. Email marketing automation typically involves these basic steps:- Segmentation: Constant Contact allows you to gather data about your clients and segment your marketing based on their demographics and interests. For instance, a clothing company can send targeted advertisements for winter coats to clients who live in colder regions.- Define Trigger Events: Determine which actions will trigger automated marketing communications. Examples of trigger events include filling out a subscription form, birthdays, and revisiting products without purchasing.- Create Content Templates: Generate content from scratch or use Constant Contactâs library of plug-and-play templates.- Add Dynamic Content Blocks: Create smart marketing content that changes to suit different readers. For example, you can set emails to display images of local landmarks based on the readerâs geographic location.- Plan Email Series: Keep clients engaged by creating automated email series for different scenarios. For instance, you can create a welcome email series introducing clients to your brand services. Similarly, you can develop a promotion email series to advertise upcoming holiday sales and events.- Perform Data Analytics: Constant Contact allows you to conduct advanced data analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Monitor how clients engage with your content and identify factors that contribute to the success of your marketing efforts.You can also use marketing automation to schedule social media posts, generate leads, manage customer relationships, and more. Look at our handy guide to automating your marketing like a pro for additional ideas.Creating Your Marketing Automation StrategyDeveloping effective email marketing automation strategies takes careful planning and in-depth knowledge of your clients. Follow these steps to craft a successful strategy to boost conversions and customer satisfaction.Define Your GoalsThe most impactful marketing automation strategies align with your core business goals and mission. Common marketing automation goals include:- Build a loyal brand following- Deliver more value to clients through personalized interactions- Generate higher sales- Increase customer engagement- Make data-driven decisions- Nurture leadsChoose one or two goals to start to avoid feeling overwhelmed. As you get the hang of your marketing automation platform, you can revamp your strategy to address more objectives.Related: 6 Reasons Why Building an Email List is so ImportantSet Benchmarking and MeasurementsGauge the success of your campaigns by setting email marketing benchmarks. These metrics allow you to measure your performance to check if youâre on track to meet your long-term goals.Your objectives can help you determine which metrics to monitor. For example, if you want to improve customer engagement, you can track the number of people who open your emails and click through links.Map Your Buyerâs JourneyA customer journey map enables you to visualize how customers find, choose to buy, and interact with your products or services. You can use this tool to understand client behavior better and create more appealing marketing campaigns.These steps can help you map your buyerâs experience:- Understand Buyer Personas: This concept involves creating a fictional representation that embodies your ideal client. A buyer persona allows you to put a face to your audience and imagine how they engage with your company. You can develop a buyer persona by gathering client data, conducting focus groups, and performing market research.- Conduct a Content Audit: Once youâve defined one or more buyer personas, you should evaluate your existing content to see if it fits their needs and preferences. Decide which buyer personas match each piece of content youâve produced. If your content is irrelevant to all your buyer personas or you discover gaps, itâs time to refresh your marketing strategy.- Understand Your Analytics: Data analytics can help refine your customer journey map by providing valuable insights into how clients engage with your brand. Use Constant Contactâs analytics tools to evaluate metrics like time spent on landing pages, click-through rates, and drop-off points.- Talk to Sales and Support: Customer service and sales professionals work closely with clients every day so they can provide fresh perspectives on their needs and interests. Collaborate with these team members to make your customer journey map as accurate as possible. Related: 10 Customer Retention Strategies For Essential Growth in 2024Choose the Right Tools Set yourself up for success by choosing the right marketing automation platform. Look for software like Constant Contact that offers these essential features:- Accessible and intuitive user interface- Automated email paths- Convenient email templates- Drag-and-drop email editor- Dynamic content blocks- Mobile appThese capabilities increase efficiency and streamline content creation, leading to a higher return on investment.Implementation and ReviewAfter youâve selected a platform, you can implement your email marketing automation strategy. Start by configuring the software and building custom automation workflows.Constant Contact also allows you to conduct A/B testing with a small segment of your clients to evaluate the effectiveness of your preliminary marketing strategies. This step can help you perfect your content before you go live with your entire audience.Challenges and Solutions in Marketing AutomationMarketing automation has numerous benefits, but, like any technology, it isnât flawless. Here are common challenges you may encounter and their solutions:- Data Silos: Businesses often use multiple tools to capture client data, which can cause the information to get trapped in separate systems. Constant Contact addresses this issue by integrating with over three hundred platforms, from Google Ads to Salesforce.- Limited Personalization: Some platforms limit your ability to tailor your marketing and segment your email list. Constant Contact doesnât place any restrictions on users, so you can create as much dynamic and customized content as youâd like.- Learning Curve: It takes time to learn how to use marketing automation technology effectively. Constant Contactâs knowledge base provides in-depth tutorials and guides to help you understand the ins and outs of the platform.Marketing Automation in Action: Case StudiesMany companies have already implemented marketing automation workflows. Here are two success stories:- Soluna Garden Farms: This small business uses Constant Contactâs platform to send customers automated emails about their products and peony subscription service. This marketing strategy enabled them to build brand loyalty during the pandemic.- Lady Black Tie: This dress business expanded sales after using Constant Contact to create automated email marketing campaigns.Understanding Analytics in Marketing AutomationData analytics plays a crucial role in the success of your marketing automation strategy. Platforms like Constant Contact use advanced statistical approaches and predictive analytics to help you better understand your clients, competitors, and operations.Data analytics enables you to:- Monitor and improve the performance of your campaigns- Compare different versions of your content- Identify opportunities for growth- Prioritize leads- Anticipate future client needs and behaviorFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Marketing Automation StrategiesWhat is a marketing automation strategy?A marketing automation strategy uses digital tools to automate routine sales and marketing workflows. This technology enables companies to deliver more engaging, personalized, and relevant content to clients.How does Constant Contact differ from other marketing automation tools?Constant Contact has several key features that set it apart from other marketing automation platforms, including:- Artificial intelligence (AI) content generation- Beginner-friendly automation tools- Designed for email marketing- Free trial- Numerous integration options- Omnichannel marketing automation - Social media posting- SMS text messagingRelated: How to Build an Effective Email List: 18 Best Practices and StrategiesHow do I measure the success of my marketing automation strategy with Constant Contact?Constant Contact makes it easy to benchmark your marketing automation performance. The platform automatically gathers performance data and compiles this information into detailed email marketing reports. You can use these insights to refine your marketing campaign and achieve your goals.Why Choose Constant Contact for Your Marketing Automation StrategyConstant Contact is your go-to solution if youâre ready to implement a marketing automation strategy. We specialize in email marketing, so we have the tools you need to connect with clients and make winning sales pitches. Create stellar content effortlessly using our AI Content Generator, dynamic content boxes, and other tools.The best part? You donât need to be a tech whiz to optimize your marketing with Constant Contact. Our software is designed for people of all levels of expertise, so you can start automating your workflows fast. Read the full article
When it comes to email marketing, there's a lot to consider. We've got you covered with these top 12 email marketing tips.There is no doubt that email marketing is effective. But how often have you sat down to begin an email marketing project and immediately felt overwhelmed?Sometimes, knowing where to start is hard, especially when working with a newer brand.The good thing is that email marketing has never been easier, thanks to automation tools and innovative ways to deliver emails directly into subscribers' inboxes.This article is for you if you don't know where to begin or want to improve your current workflow.So now, let's look at some simple steps you can follow to ensure you're using email marketing wisely.Where To Begin With Email MarketingSo, you're planning your email marketing strategy for your client. Where do you begin? Here are some helpful tips to get you started:- Keep your emails short and sweet. People get tired of reading long emails, so keep yours between 60 to 200 words.- People love visuals, especially in email marketing, so include images of your products or services. See Ditch Your Polished Pitch and âOwn Your Crazyâ- Social proof helps convince readers that your offer is legitimate and worth their time. This includes sharing links or information in your emails from industry experts, positive testimonials, or influencers using the brand.- People want to know where to go next after reading your content. Whether itâs to a product page or recent content produced on the website. And since emails are usually opened on mobile devices, you need to provide a clear CTA at the end of each email.'- Email marketing works best when you send regular emails. But even once a week isn't enough. Studies show that people respond better to frequent emails than infrequent ones.Now, let's discuss the top 12 email marketing components for your strategy:1. Create Optimized Lead MagnetsSo, how do you get people to subscribe to your email listing? An effective lead magnet.A lead magnet is usually the first thing visitors see when they land on a brand's website. It gets them to click through and read more about a brand, so it needs to be eye-catching and compelling.If a brand doesn't optimize its lead magnets for conversion, it could lose out on potential leads.So, how do you make sure your lead magnets convert?Your lead magnet should grab visitors' attention right away. That means making it interesting, unique, and relevant to the business.For example, you can use an incentive like a freebie or discount code to entice people to take action. You could also give away a free report or ebook in exchange for their name and email address.Don't miss any change with daily desktop & mobile ranks as standard!SEOmonitor's rank tracking includes daily mobile and desktop tracking for all markets for just $29.9 / 1,000 keywords. Every subscription includes unlimited SEO Research data, SEO Forecasting, and (not provided) solutions for any number of pages.Your lead magnet could also be the first email they receive, which can be a part of your welcome series (which I'll talk about briefly).Related: Maximizing Deliverability: The Role of Email Warm Up Tool in Modern Email MarketingIt entices the users to keep receiving emails so they don't immediately unsubscribe after they receive a discount code or something similar.2. Segment Your SubscribersYou've probably heard the term "subscriber segmentation." It refers to grouping your subscribers into groups based on their interests and behavior so that you can send them more relevant content, offers, and other messages.This is an integral part of email marketing because it lets you target your audience with personalized emails.You can also use this technique to create multiple versions of your emails, such as a welcome email, a thank you email, and a follow-up email.Segmenting your subscribers can help build trust and long-term interest for a brand by presenting them with information or offers they want to receive.3. Craft A Welcome Series Welcome emails are usually sent automatically to new subscribers when they sign up, purchase a product, or make an account.When creating a welcome series, you need to consider where the customer is in their journey with a brand. So, it's beneficial to space the emails over a set period and create each one with a specific intention.A welcome series is a great way to keep potential customers engaged after they sign up, especially since they receive emails from companies almost daily.Some examples include: "Welcome! We hope you like our product" or "Your account has been activated."You can also send welcome emails to existing customers who haven't logged in for a while.For example, if someone signs up and hasn't used the service for three months, you could send an email saying, "Hey, we noticed that you signed up recently. Would you be interested in using our service?"This type of marketing is very effective because it's personalized and targeted. It demonstrates that you're sending tailored emails to specific customers.These emails are also a great way to help build trust with your customers and get them used to receiving emails from you.Related: Why Email Marketing Is Better for Your Business Than Social Media4. Implement AutomationYouâve created an email series. Next, itâs time to automate its delivery so you donât have to send it out each time you need to, according to your schedule.Automation in email marketing is easy to do using tools like MailChimp, Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, and Convertkit.These programs allow you to create automated emails based on triggers, such as when someone opens your email, clicks on a link, or purchases something from you.This way, you no longer need to manually send out those emails, which can alleviate some stress when dealing with many different subscribers.5. Design Mobile-Friendly EmailsAs I mentioned, most people use their phones to check their emails, so making them mobile-friendly is crucial.If the email promotes sales or discounts, it should be optimized for mobile phones. For example, sales information or product pictures should be easily viewed on mobile devices.Users should be able to click on the promotion, link, or image, and they should be given the option to view the brandâs site in their preferred phone browser.The key elements to consider when designing mobile-friendly emails include the following:- Placing essential links at the top of the page rather than down below.- Keeping graphics small.- Using text only where appropriate.- Optimizing images.- And testing different sizes of fonts and margins.6. Personalize Your EmailsEven though the average person receives numerous unsolicited emails daily, sending personalized messages to potential leads is proven to boost response rates.Personalizing your emails makes them feel less like spam and gives your subscribers a sense of connection.The key to successful email marketing is knowing precisely to whom you want to send emails and which messages resonate best with each group of recipients.Once you know what works and what doesnât, you can tailor your messages specifically to your audience and keep them coming back for more.First, choose a subject line that clearly states what you will say in your email. This will help readers decide whether or not to click through your email.Next, include a call to action, such as asking subscribers to check out a new product or sign up for a free trial.Finally, customize each message by adding links to pages on your site where interested parties can read more information.Get creative and do your research for the industry. For example, does adding emojis help to personalize the email, or is that a no-no for that specific industry?7. A/B Test Email ContentThe A/B testing of email content is a great way to improve your open rate. Itâs also an excellent way to get more people on board with a product or service.However, figuring out what works best for you and your audience can be challenging.A/B testing helps marketers decide what works best for their business. For example, when designing email campaigns, itâs often necessary to split-test different versions of emails to determine which one performs better.You can also test different subject lines. Subject lines are one of the essential parts of any email. Theyâll help determine whether someone opens your message or not. Itâs what hooks the subscriber to learn more.The best way to test different variations of emails is to use A/B email testing software. This allows you to compare two versions while showing only one version to half of your users at any given moment so they donât realize theyâre receiving two messages.Most email automation platforms can also conduct A/B testing for your emails. And A/B testing isnât just beneficial for email. For example, itâs essential to test copy and content on a brandâs website so that A/B testing will be helpful in more ways than one.Related: How to Write an Email Subject Line Thatâs Sure To Get Clicked8. Find The Best TimingThe best time to send emails to customers depends on several factors â such as when they last visited your website, what action they took while on your site, whether they completed any transactions, and more.One way to determine which times work best for email campaigns is to use Google Analytics. The goal conversion section allows you to view bounce rate, exit pages, and other data related to goal completion. Constant Contact can automate that task for you.You should also consider other factors and incorporate them when you send emails based on peopleâs schedules. For example, you can see lower open rates on holidays, late into the evening, and Monday morning and Friday evenings.9. Scrub Your List Of Non-OpensItâs essential to manage your subscriber list. When you click âsendâ on your newsletter, your list contains all subscribers who did not open the email. If you see that certain people ignore your emails, you might want to delete them from your list.To delete them from your list, go to the unsubscribe page, select remove, and confirm. Repeat this process until all your non-opens are removed. Constant Contact can help automate this by automatically segmenting recipients for you.You donât want to overload people who have already purchased or are no longer interested in the brand, so you donât create a negative relationship with them.Incorporating one of the email management tools to help you eliminate the consistent non-opens can help you manage your subscribers and decrease time spent on this repetitive task.10. Include A Real Reply Email AddressThis is one of the best ways to keep customers returning for more. Users may want to send any follow-up emails directly to their spam folder if you donât include an actual reply address.But when you put your email address in the footer, people know exactly where to go. If they have questions, they can email the brandâs team.Again, this also helps build trust with the brand. Users know they are communicating with real people who selected these emails for them rather than being spammed with nonrelevant or generic content for the masses.11. Experiment With Lead Generation AdsThe goal of lead generation ads is to reach people who may be interested in buying from the brand.They usually appear at the top of the page, where they are visible for extended periods than other ads.This means people tend to click on them more often than ads below the fold. So, as long as you donât use these ads too frequently, you should be able to generate leads.12. Utilize Email Analytics To Improve CampaignsOne way to utilize email analytics to improve campaigns is to check your emails' bounce rate, opens, clicks, and unsubscribes. Then, use that information to enhance your current efforts.This includes sending emails at different times throughout the week, testing subject lines, changing the call to action, and testing creative variations.If youâre still struggling, try experimenting with lead magnets, such as free ebooks, white papers, and webinars.These allow you to capture leads from those interested in learning about new topics. In addition, measuring results lets you know which emails work and which donât.You should also compare these variables (such as open rates) to industry metrics. Read the full article
A whole new year.And itâs time to decide what you will do with it.With days like Motivation and Inspiration Day (Jan. 2nd) and National CanDo Day (Jan. 4th), there are plenty of days to celebrate and focus on getting things done this month.Starting with New Yearâs Day (Jan. 1st), people start talking about the New Yearâs resolutions theyâve made, and marketers everywhere will be talking about planning an entire yearâs worth of marketing now. And Iâm no exception.Yes, marketing takes time and effort. And, youâll have a greater chance of success if you use an online marketing calendar to plan your marketing strategy in advance. But it doesnât have to be difficult.The most important thing to remember is that your marketing plan is a living document. Right now, it needs to be a basic roadmap for where you want to go and how you plan to get there.Thereâs no need to sit down and plan the details of each and every campaign right now â unless youâre feeling industrious or have a team of marketers at your disposal. Instead, look at the big picture of where you are now and where you want to be. Then, pencil in some holidays, local events, and any âannualâ activities that align with your brand. This gives you an outline dotted with focal points for your marketing efforts.Once you have your focal points, you can start to fill in plans for cross-channel campaigns, stand-alone emails, social media contests, ad campaigns, etc.Creating a marketing plan outline for the year now will make it easier to make adjustments if and when you find them necessary.Once you have the outline completed, you have your marketing plan for the year all mapped out. And when it comes to creating and executing those campaigns, break them down into small, manageable bites, whether thatâs a month at a time, a week at a time, or even a day at a time.Trello calls this process of breaking things down into the smallest possible tasks microproductivity. I call it amazing because even the largest elephant isnât that big if you only look at one square inch at a time.So, now that youâve got your 2024 marketing calendar roughly marked out with a plan thatâs going to help you crush your goals for the year, itâs time to get to the next task . . . creating the first campaign on your calendar.To get started, take a look at these January holidays, newsletter ideas, and fun subject lines and see where your imagination takes you.Related: How to Maximize Your Email Results This Holiday SeasonJanuary Holidays - January 1st-30th â National Hobby Month, National Blood Donor Month, Poverty Awareness Month. Take the energy from the new year to turn that hobby into a side hustle, and make sure you continue giving what you can to support your community.- January 1st â National Copyright Day, New Yearâs Day and Commitment Day. Celebrate previous achievements, possibilities for the new year, and your continued commitment to providing excellent products and services for your customers.- January 8th â Show and Tell at Work Day. Invite your employees and coworkers to share what theyâve been working on.- January 9th â National Clean Your Desk Day â A clean workspace is productive.- January 13th â Korean American Day â Celebrate Korean-owned businesses in your community!- January 18th â National Thesaurus Day. Look at the big book (this one is conveniently online) and spice up your email marketing.- January 18th â National Use Your Gift Card Day. Encourage your readers to use the gift cards they received during the holidays.- January 20th â Take a Walk Outdoors Day. Maybe make that afternoon meeting a walk and talk.- January 29th â Chinese New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Snake.- January 27th-Feb. 4th â National Storytelling Week â Keep your customers returning by building your brand story.January Newsletter IdeasWhile many new entrepreneurs may think marketing campaigns are all about selling, thatâs untrue.The most significant advantage small businesses have over the big guys is the relationships they build.Nothing can replace the feel of a small town or being on a first-name basis with your butcher. And those relationships are built by talking with your customers, not at them.Start by using days like Get to Know Your Customers Day (Jan. 19th) to send out a survey. The new year is the perfect time to ask about goals and resolutions.Related: How To Create The Perfect EmailJanuary newsletter ideas for helping your readers reach their goalsWhen you take time to get to know your audience, you stand a better chance of knowing what they want and need and how you can help and support them.Hereâs how you can support your readers this month:- Be an inspiration. Share stories about how you, your employees, or other locals are overcoming obstacles to be a success. Take it from your newsletter to social media by asking followers to share their definition of success.- Be a resource. Consider the different resolutions your readers may have made, and look at how your business or organization can help them achieve those goals. Then, reach out to your readers with how you can help, including providing a list of additional resources they could use. Better yet, ask them to share their resolutions on social media, then create a list of resources based on the answers you received.- Be an ally. Think about sponsoring a mentor program or a support group, or offer up your location for after-hours meetings for those who already have support groups started in your community. If itâs inappropriate for you to host guests at your place of business, poll your readers and followers to see if theyâd be interested in joining a Facebook group or meeting at a local coffee shop or public library.January newsletter ideas for making your readers feel goodWith days like International Mind-Body Wellness Day (Jan. 3rd) and National Compliment Day (Jan. 24th), itâs easy to find a moment this month to make your readers feel good.- Be a partner. Partner up to raise funds for a local nonprofit. Whether you hold a âcuddly kittenâ picture contest on social media to raise funds for a local shelter, partner with a local gym and sponsor a community beginners Yoga class, or get with a local counselor to create a free video on meditation or mindfulness, there are a lot of things you can do in partnership with your fellow business owners and nonprofits to benefit your community.- Build relationships and trust. If youâre already doing something great for your community, share what youâre doing with your readers and let them know how they can contribute.- Be a resource. Share tips on mental, physical, and emotional health. Depending on your brand, you can share funny stories about how you relieve stress â personally, I make bread â or you can supply professional tips or curate content from a trusted source.Whatever holiday you highlight in your newsletter this month, whether you issue a challenge, offer advice, or ask your readers to share, include a branded hashtag and a custom hashtag â along with a corresponding post on social media â so you can easily find and like what they post!January newsletter subject lines- âWeâre committed to providing excellenceâ â Commitment Day (Jan. 1st) â Let your readers know your intentions.- âLetâs talk about itâ â Day of Dialogue (Jan. 5th) â Great for starting a conversation with your readers, asking for feedback, or sharing important updates about your business that are open for commentary.- âHave we got a story to tell you!â â National Storytelling Week (Jan. 29th â Feb. 5th) â Perfect for sharing any story related to your business or community.- âHereâs how weâre kicking off 2025.â- âThese are our top picks for 2025.â- âJoin us as we celebrate 2025.â- âGift card burning a hole in your wallet?â- âThe holidays might be over, but the saleâs still happening.â- âWeâre giving back in 2024 and want your help!â- âJumpstart your resolution with us!âFor more January holidays and ideas on what you can do to share them with your customers, download the graphic below. Or, start the new year by planning your marketing strategy now with our Online Marketing Calendar. Read the full article
A whole new year.And itâs time to decide what you will do with it.With days like Motivation and Inspiration Day (Jan. 2nd) and National CanDo Day (Jan. 4th), there are plenty of days to celebrate and focus on getting things done this month.Starting with New Yearâs Day (Jan. 1st), people start talking about the New Yearâs resolutions theyâve made, and marketers everywhere will be talking about planning an entire yearâs worth of marketing now. And Iâm no exception.Yes, marketing takes time and effort. And, youâll have a greater chance of success if you use an online marketing calendar to plan your marketing strategy in advance. But it doesnât have to be difficult.The most important thing to remember is that your marketing plan is a living document. Right now, it needs to be a basic roadmap for where you want to go and how you plan to get there.Thereâs no need to sit down and plan the details of each and every campaign right now â unless youâre feeling industrious or have a team of marketers at your disposal. Instead, look at the big picture of where you are now and where you want to be. Then, pencil in some holidays, local events, and any âannualâ activities that align with your brand. This gives you an outline dotted with focal points for your marketing efforts.Once you have your focal points, you can start to fill in plans for cross-channel campaigns, stand-alone emails, social media contests, ad campaigns, etc.Creating a marketing plan outline for the year now will make it easier to make adjustments if and when you find them necessary.Once you have the outline completed, you have your marketing plan for the year all mapped out. And when it comes to creating and executing those campaigns, break them down into small, manageable bites, whether thatâs a month at a time, a week at a time, or even a day at a time.Trello calls this process of breaking things down into the smallest possible tasks microproductivity. I call it amazing because even the largest elephant isnât that big if you only look at one square inch at a time.So, now that youâve got your 2024 marketing calendar roughly marked out with a plan thatâs going to help you crush your goals for the year, itâs time to get to the next task . . . creating the first campaign on your calendar.To get started, take a look at these January holidays, newsletter ideas, and fun subject lines and see where your imagination takes you.Related: How to Maximize Your Email Results This Holiday SeasonJanuary Holidays - January 1st-30th â National Hobby Month, National Blood Donor Month, Poverty Awareness Month. Take the energy from the new year to turn that hobby into a side hustle, and make sure you continue giving what you can to support your community.- January 1st â National Copyright Day, New Yearâs Day and Commitment Day. Celebrate previous achievements, possibilities for the new year, and your continued commitment to providing excellent products and services for your customers.- January 8th â Show and Tell at Work Day. Invite your employees and coworkers to share what theyâve been working on.- January 9th â National Clean Your Desk Day â A clean workspace is productive.- January 13th â Korean American Day â Celebrate Korean-owned businesses in your community!- January 18th â National Thesaurus Day. Look at the big book (this one is conveniently online) and spice up your email marketing.- January 18th â National Use Your Gift Card Day. Encourage your readers to use the gift cards they received during the holidays.- January 20th â Take a Walk Outdoors Day. Maybe make that afternoon meeting a walk and talk.- January 29th â Chinese New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Snake.- January 27th-Feb. 4th â National Storytelling Week â Keep your customers returning by building your brand story.January Newsletter IdeasWhile many new entrepreneurs may think marketing campaigns are all about selling, thatâs untrue.The most significant advantage small businesses have over the big guys is the relationships they build.Nothing can replace the feel of a small town or being on a first-name basis with your butcher. And those relationships are built by talking with your customers, not at them.Start by using days like Get to Know Your Customers Day (Jan. 19th) to send out a survey. The new year is the perfect time to ask about goals and resolutions.Related: How To Create The Perfect EmailJanuary newsletter ideas for helping your readers reach their goalsWhen you take time to get to know your audience, you stand a better chance of knowing what they want and need and how you can help and support them.Hereâs how you can support your readers this month:- Be an inspiration. Share stories about how you, your employees, or other locals are overcoming obstacles to be a success. Take it from your newsletter to social media by asking followers to share their definition of success.- Be a resource. Consider the different resolutions your readers may have made, and look at how your business or organization can help them achieve those goals. Then, reach out to your readers with how you can help, including providing a list of additional resources they could use. Better yet, ask them to share their resolutions on social media, then create a list of resources based on the answers you received.- Be an ally. Think about sponsoring a mentor program or a support group, or offer up your location for after-hours meetings for those who already have support groups started in your community. If itâs inappropriate for you to host guests at your place of business, poll your readers and followers to see if theyâd be interested in joining a Facebook group or meeting at a local coffee shop or public library.January newsletter ideas for making your readers feel goodWith days like International Mind-Body Wellness Day (Jan. 3rd) and National Compliment Day (Jan. 24th), itâs easy to find a moment this month to make your readers feel good.- Be a partner. Partner up to raise funds for a local nonprofit. Whether you hold a âcuddly kittenâ picture contest on social media to raise funds for a local shelter, partner with a local gym and sponsor a community beginners Yoga class, or get with a local counselor to create a free video on meditation or mindfulness, there are a lot of things you can do in partnership with your fellow business owners and nonprofits to benefit your community.- Build relationships and trust. If youâre already doing something great for your community, share what youâre doing with your readers and let them know how they can contribute.- Be a resource. Share tips on mental, physical, and emotional health. Depending on your brand, you can share funny stories about how you relieve stress â personally, I make bread â or you can supply professional tips or curate content from a trusted source.Whatever holiday you highlight in your newsletter this month, whether you issue a challenge, offer advice, or ask your readers to share, include a branded hashtag and a custom hashtag â along with a corresponding post on social media â so you can easily find and like what they post!January newsletter subject lines- âWeâre committed to providing excellenceâ â Commitment Day (Jan. 1st) â Let your readers know your intentions.- âLetâs talk about itâ â Day of Dialogue (Jan. 5th) â Great for starting a conversation with your readers, asking for feedback, or sharing important updates about your business that are open for commentary.- âHave we got a story to tell you!â â National Storytelling Week (Jan. 29th â Feb. 5th) â Perfect for sharing any story related to your business or community.- âHereâs how weâre kicking off 2025.â- âThese are our top picks for 2025.â- âJoin us as we celebrate 2025.â- âGift card burning a hole in your wallet?â- âThe holidays might be over, but the saleâs still happening.â- âWeâre giving back in 2024 and want your help!â- âJumpstart your resolution with us!âFor more January holidays and ideas on what you can do to share them with your customers, download the graphic below. Or, start the new year by planning your marketing strategy now with our Online Marketing Calendar. Read the full article
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