1. Understanding Email Automation
Email automation involves setting up email campaigns that are triggered by specific actions or timeframes. This could be a welcome email when someone subscribes to your list, a birthday discount, or a follow-up email after a service. Automation ensures that your clients receive timely and relevant communication without you having to manually send each email.
2. Selecting the Right Email Marketing Tool
Choosing an email marketing tool that supports automation is the first step. Platforms like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, and SendinBlue offer robust automation features tailored for various needs. Evaluate which platform aligns best with your business requirements. For insights on selecting the right tool, check out our Marketing Automation page.
3. Segmenting Your Email List
Segmentation involves categorising your email subscribers based on certain criteria, such as service type used, location, or engagement level. This allows you to send more targeted and relevant emails. For example, you might send different follow-up emails to clients who had plumbing services versus those who had electrical work done.
4. Creating Automated Email Campaigns
Start with a few basic campaigns. A welcome series for new subscribers, a post-service follow-up email, and a re-engagement campaign for clients who haven’t used your services in a while are good places to start. Each campaign should have a clear goal and a personal touch.
5. Personalising Your Emails
Automation doesn’t mean your emails have to be impersonal. Use the data you have about your clients to personalise your messages. Addressing clients by name and referencing their specific needs or past interactions can make automated emails feel more personal and relevant.
6. Timing and Frequency
Timing is crucial in email automation. You don’t want to send too many emails in a short period, nor do you want long gaps in communication. Set up your campaigns so that they are triggered at appropriate times based on your clients’ interactions with your business.
7. Testing and Optimising
Regularly test different aspects of your email campaigns, such as subject lines, content, and sending times, to see what works best. Use analytics to track the performance of your automated emails and make adjustments as necessary.
8. Staying Compliant
Ensure that your automated email campaigns comply with email marketing laws, such as the Australian Spam Act 2003. This includes getting consent to send emails and providing an easy unsubscribe option.
In Summary
Email automation is a powerful tool that can help tradies stay connected with their clients while saving time. By setting up automated campaigns, you ensure consistent, relevant, and timely communication, which is key to building lasting client relationships and growing your business.
At Onside Online, we understand the unique challenges tradies face in balancing their workload and marketing efforts. Our services in New Websites and Google Business Profile management are designed to streamline your online presence and marketing strategies, making it easier for you to focus on what you do best.
Let’s explore how email automation can transform your marketing efforts and help your business thrive.
