Atlantic Online Digital Marketing Blog

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Shelley Bellefontaine • Feb 03, 2020

B2B Email - The New Rules

Emails that are part of a larger campaign have the advantage of sparking customers’ curiosity and, hopefully, leading them further down the funnel.

Take Welcome or Intro campaigns, for example. These are emails sent to customers right after they sign up for your email—ideally, immediately after, as they can be triggered to send as soon as a customer enters their email on your site.

While many brands keep their Welcome campaign to a single email, you can also expand that into two or three. The first can be a simple

B2B Email Marketing: The New Rules

Email marketing has been a critical element of b2b marketing since the world went digital.

Most b2b companies have historically embraced this, sending out regular e-newsletters and updates to keep their clients and potential clients engaged and abreast of new developments.

The challenge, however—or one of the challenges—has been that b2b companies don’t have quite as many obvious reasons to send out emails as their b2c counterparts. Many b2b brands don’t have coupons or flash sales to advertise, after all.

But that doesn’t mean that b2b brands don’t have plenty of reasons to stay in touch with their clients via email. In fact, today it’s more important than ever to do so.

While lots of the tenets of email marketing have stayed the same, certain things have changed. Here are the new rules of email marketing for b2b, and why you should be playing by them.

B2B buyers want to hear from you by email.

It’s easy to think that most of the emails you send to clients and potential clients will end up in their Trash, but actually, b2b buyers want more email from you.

According to research by Episerver, 54 percent of b2b decision-makers want b2bs to communicate with them more frequently via email. In addition, 45 percent of U.S. b2b decision-makers prefer to learn about a company via email more than any other channel. 

And yet despite these numbers, 59 percent of b2b brands don’t use email marketing at all. Among the brands that do, the average number of email communications sent is only one every 25 days.

It’s important to note, as well, that phone calls were the least desired form of communication, meaning that it’s probably time to shift some of your sales department’s cold-calling to cold-emailing.

Another thing to consider is that the b2b landscape is becoming more and more millennial-centered, as members of this generation are starting to hit their stride as decision-makers. And according to research from Adesta, 73 percent of millennials prefer communications from businesses to come via email.

What this should tell you is that if you’ve been neglecting your b2b email marketing, it’s time to get back on that horse.

Here are some guidelines for how to approach your b2b email marketing in 2020.

Use email not only for the top of your funnel, but to move leads down to mid-funnel, as well.

Email has generally been used as a top-of-the-funnel approach.

B2B brands often focus on the channel as a way to increase awareness and engagement among their audiences.

Newsletters, downloadable content, and promotions are all good examples of this kind of content. The idea for each is that a lead or perhaps a client who hasn’t converted in a while will see your brand’s name in their email, remember who you are, and hopefully click on the email to see how your employees have been helping their community, or what new product you’re offering, or what the webinar you’re promoting is about.

If you move them down the funnel, that’s excellent—but most brands aren’t targeting their emails closely enough to make this a probability.

If you have a promotional email, for example, that offers a free consultation on a new service you’re offering, you might send it to your entire list with the primary goal of getting more eyes on your brand. That’s fine—but let’s look at how you could increase the effectiveness of this email by using it to actually move clients down your sales funnel, so they ultimately convert.

One way would be to create segmented email lists and adapt the email to each.

For existing customers, you could include a “thank you for your business” message and give them a special deal you’re not offering others. That could be a larger discount, longer period of time to take advantage of the sale, or a sneak peek of your new product or service, among others.

Source: MailBakery

In this email, Atlassian is giving existing customers the chance to try their brand new features not only before anyone else, but for free.

Personalize, personalize, personalize

Gone are the days when using a customer’s first name in the greeting of your email counted as personalization.

Today’s b2b buyers, after all, are connected consumers during their off-hours. They’re shopping b2b websites that have curated selections just for them, viewing emails reminding them they looked at an item two weeks ago but didn’t purchase, and scrolling through social feeds with ads that are designed precisely to appeal to their interests, values, and desires.

So it stands to reason that they’re going to expect something similar from the b2b brands they interact with at work.

If you’re not convinced, consider this statistic from Campaign Monitor: Marketers who use segmented campaigns note as much as a 760% increase in revenue.

Because email lists can be segmented now based on lots of different criteria, email is actually an ideal channel through which to deliver personalized content.

Say you segment your lists by customers who signed up for a service, but haven’t yet used it. You could create an email reminding them to get started, and offering some inspiration. That’s what CampaignMonitor did with this email:

Source: MailBakery

Other ways to personalize your email campaigns are:

Don’t be stuffy

Yes, your customers and leads want you to be professional. But formal, jargon-filled language  is even more out of style than it was five years ago (and believe us, jargon has never been the way to any customer’s heart).

As b2b continues to take more and more of its cues from b2c marketing, the language b2b marketers are using is becoming more casual and friendly than it’s ever been.

Of course, you still have to know your audience. If you’re marketing your products to C-level executives of Fortune 500 companies, then you’ll need to adopt a more professional and confident tone than you would marketing to 20-something new small business owners.

However, we are now seeing statistics that show a less formal tone is attractive to b2b buyers. For instance, 56% of brands using an emoji in their email subject line had a higher open rate than those that did not, according to Forbes.

Doing something small, like adding an emoji to your subject line, is an easy thing to experiment with that can give you some insight into what your customers like.

You could also write the same email in slightly different voices—one your typical brand voice, the other in a slightly less formal voice than you usually use. Then do an A/B test with them and see which email earns the most opens and clicks.

Send emails often—but not too often

If you’re among the b2b brands that are sending just one email communication every 25 days, it’s time to increase that frequency.

The most effective schedule, according to CoSchedule, is to communicate between 2 and 4 times per month with your email list. 37 percent of B2B marketers said 2-3 times per month was ideal, with 25 percent saying 3-4 times per month worked best.

You certainly don’t want to bombard your clients, but remember that the majority of b2b buyers, according to the majority of research, say they want more email, not less. So unless you’re sending out multiple emails per week, you can probably stand to increase that number.

Remember your email marketing should aim at creating a dialogue, rather than just supporting a monologue

Promotional emails and content delivery are valuable elements of any email marketing strategy—but make sure that you’re incorporating opportunities for your clients and customers to engage with your brand in a meaningful way, too.

“Meaningful way” means more than just buying something or downloading a report. Here are a few options for building a robust two-way relationship with clients through email:

Remember that emails work best when they’re part of a larger campaign, not just a series of one-offs

and general welcome and overview of your brand. Next, you could take them for a spin through your content library, or give them a view of your product/service families. If you have a b2b ecommerce store, walk them through the ordering process.

Just be sure to keep each email under about 400 words if possible. Save the heavy verbiage for your website—if they click your email link, you’ll know they’re probably interested in reading or hearing a bit more.

B2B email marketing is critical for brands today, as the other most traditional form of communication—phone—is steeply declining in value for the majority of buyers.

After all, b2b business is all about nurturing relationships with your customers, no matter where those customers are in your funnel. Ready to get started? Contact Atlantic Online today!
By Shelley Bellefontaine 25 Feb, 2023
2023: The Year To Market Your Business Like Never Before
By Shelley Bellefontaine 24 Oct, 2022
How to Choose a Web Design Agency?
By Shelley Bellefontaine 15 Apr, 2021
Converting website visitors into paying and repeat customers is the goal of e-commerce, but getting there isn’t always easy. In fact, studies estimate the average e-commerce conversion rate is just 2-3%. Sounds gloomy, I know, given all the effort that we go through to build e-commerce websites, and the promotions to get it seen! But, there are things we can do. Follow this simple checklist to optimize your e-commerce website experience, and turn more of your existing website traffic into sales. 1. Attention-grabbing photos (and video, too) Photography needs to do the job of making the shopper feel like they can (almost) touch your product. And the more photos, the better. Include multiple angles of the product standing alone, with people using it, and a shot of the packaging. A short video is great for showing how a product moves, works or how it should be installed. 2. Powerful product descriptions Your product copy should be short and hard-working. Use a mix of action words and sensory words to paint a clear picture of specific product features and benefits. This is also the place to have a little fun if that fits with your brand voice. And don’t forget to spellcheck your text. 3. A clear call to action (CTA) If you don’t ask a customer to buy from you, chances are they won’t. An effective CTA is short and clear, such as Add to Cart or Checkout, and they work best on coloured buttons. Your Checkout button is like a cash register, so don’t make shoppers look for how to give you their money. 4. Reviews and testimonials Product reviews are powerful persuasion tools. A good review can answer a nagging question in the consumer’s mind and give them the confidence to buy from your business. Testimonials, although more effort to obtain because they require outreach, are worthwhile, detailed accounts of the customer experience with your product or service. If you’re able to get media or industry experts to review your products, these are worth featuring prominently. 5. Free shipping With free shipping the norm these days, it’s easy to assume that it’s the only way to go. And while free shipping can increase conversion rates on e-commerce websites, it can seriously eat into your profit margin. Shipping carriers can increase their prices, too, further cutting your profits. Many merchants choose to increase product prices to maintain the same margin, but there is another approach. Free shipping minimums are a great compromise that incentivizes customers to increase their order value while offsetting your shipping costs. 6. Sales, deals, promo codes, and coupons Satisfy the deal hunter in everyone by offering special promotions and discounts. A designated Sale section on your website navigation clearly tells shoppers where to go for the best savings. Ramp up the sense of urgency by using time-limited coupon codes or bundling high-demand products with sellout potential. 7. A straightforward return policy Offering a reasonable return policy is an important part of your e-commerce business strategy. If your policy is too generous, it may be abused. If it’s not flexible enough, customers may choose to buy elsewhere. Post your policy and clearly outline terms for returns, refunds, and exchanges to give shoppers the confidence to place their trust in your business. Ensure returns are handled professionally, and you’ll continue to build customer loyalty for future purchases. Ready to take your e-commerce business to the next level? AtlanticOnline.ca can help promote your business online. Find out more by calling 1-902-717-8496 for a free consultation with one of our eCommerce Account Consultants .
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Shelley Bellefontaine, Digital Marketing Architect, is CEO/Founder of AtlanticOnline.ca, a full-service marketing firm operating at the intersection of marketing and digital media. We provide a host of digital marketing solutions including website design, eCommerce storefront websites, content marketing, email marketing, SEO/ SEM, social media marketing, lead generation as well as marketing strategy, branding, and a variety of other marketing programs to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits.


To learn how AtlanticOnline.ca can help your business or organziation grow online, contact us for an enlightening discussion.

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By Shelley Bellefontaine 25 Feb, 2023
2023: The Year To Market Your Business Like Never Before
By Shelley Bellefontaine 24 Oct, 2022
How to Choose a Web Design Agency?
By Shelley Bellefontaine 15 Apr, 2021
Converting website visitors into paying and repeat customers is the goal of e-commerce, but getting there isn’t always easy. In fact, studies estimate the average e-commerce conversion rate is just 2-3%. Sounds gloomy, I know, given all the effort that we go through to build e-commerce websites, and the promotions to get it seen! But, there are things we can do. Follow this simple checklist to optimize your e-commerce website experience, and turn more of your existing website traffic into sales. 1. Attention-grabbing photos (and video, too) Photography needs to do the job of making the shopper feel like they can (almost) touch your product. And the more photos, the better. Include multiple angles of the product standing alone, with people using it, and a shot of the packaging. A short video is great for showing how a product moves, works or how it should be installed. 2. Powerful product descriptions Your product copy should be short and hard-working. Use a mix of action words and sensory words to paint a clear picture of specific product features and benefits. This is also the place to have a little fun if that fits with your brand voice. And don’t forget to spellcheck your text. 3. A clear call to action (CTA) If you don’t ask a customer to buy from you, chances are they won’t. An effective CTA is short and clear, such as Add to Cart or Checkout, and they work best on coloured buttons. Your Checkout button is like a cash register, so don’t make shoppers look for how to give you their money. 4. Reviews and testimonials Product reviews are powerful persuasion tools. A good review can answer a nagging question in the consumer’s mind and give them the confidence to buy from your business. Testimonials, although more effort to obtain because they require outreach, are worthwhile, detailed accounts of the customer experience with your product or service. If you’re able to get media or industry experts to review your products, these are worth featuring prominently. 5. Free shipping With free shipping the norm these days, it’s easy to assume that it’s the only way to go. And while free shipping can increase conversion rates on e-commerce websites, it can seriously eat into your profit margin. Shipping carriers can increase their prices, too, further cutting your profits. Many merchants choose to increase product prices to maintain the same margin, but there is another approach. Free shipping minimums are a great compromise that incentivizes customers to increase their order value while offsetting your shipping costs. 6. Sales, deals, promo codes, and coupons Satisfy the deal hunter in everyone by offering special promotions and discounts. A designated Sale section on your website navigation clearly tells shoppers where to go for the best savings. Ramp up the sense of urgency by using time-limited coupon codes or bundling high-demand products with sellout potential. 7. A straightforward return policy Offering a reasonable return policy is an important part of your e-commerce business strategy. If your policy is too generous, it may be abused. If it’s not flexible enough, customers may choose to buy elsewhere. Post your policy and clearly outline terms for returns, refunds, and exchanges to give shoppers the confidence to place their trust in your business. Ensure returns are handled professionally, and you’ll continue to build customer loyalty for future purchases. Ready to take your e-commerce business to the next level? AtlanticOnline.ca can help promote your business online. Find out more by calling 1-902-717-8496 for a free consultation with one of our eCommerce Account Consultants .
By Shelley Bellefontaine 07 Jan, 2021
There are plenty of exciting ways to grow your business! More people are using email and social media than ever before, and the result is plenty of new opportunities for leaders and marketing teams across all industries. One aspect of marketing you may be neglecting is your mobile strategy. Over 3.5 billion people own mobile devices globally, which means you’re leaving a lot of money on the table if you’re not doing everything possible to reach smartphone users. If you need more context, consider this; the average person spends 3.3 hours on their smartphone every single day. You can maximize sales and conversions by looking for opportunities to put your business front and center while your target audience uses their phones. The thing is, mobile users have slightly different behaviors and interests when compared to their desktop counterparts. Our goal today is to reveal four effective mobile marketing strategies you can use to help your brand thrive following the new year. Emphasis Personalization In 2021 and 2022, we learned that consumers love personalized experiences. Business owners quickly figured out that catering to their audience’s needs is a great way to generate more sales. You can see personalization aspects across all of the major marketing platforms today, including social media, email, and on-site. Nailing personalization will help you get more mobile conversions in 2021. People are interested in engaging with companies that offer products that help with specific pain points or cater to individual goals. The best way to make this strategy work for you is to understand the customer personas that visit your site. Personas are generalized personality type profiles that define your target audience. For instance, a sporting goods store would have personas for football fans and separate profiles for people interested in basketball. Because your products or services offer multiple solutions, you need to consider these factors when offering personalized content or promotions to smartphone visitors. Using a mobile-responsive design ensures that their experience is personalized to their interests and their device. Leverage the Power of Voice Search Another trend expected to impact mobile sales specifically is voice search. Consumers use smart speakers like Amazon’s Alexa to search the internet, but mobile phones play an equally important role. Android and Apple-powered smartphones have a voice assistant that smartphone users can use to ask questions, browse the website, and make purchases. We know that more people are using their devices to place orders too. A surprising 22% of people using smart speakers, including their mobile phones, used their devices to buy a product. You can improve your voice search visibility by including new keywords throughout your content. The truth is, people rarely speak the way they type. When you’re creating blog posts, use a conversational tone, and include some of these new words throughout your content. Now, when someone is searching for your chosen keywords, there’s a chance your site could pop up in their results. Due to this exposure, they could go to your website and become a subscriber or customer. Mobile users are likely to follow their voice-activated device’s suggestion, so getting this part of your mobile marketing strategy right is essential. Simplify Processes and Empower Users Next, let’s talk about your website’s design and choices you can make to empower users. The people interacting with your brand want a smooth and seamless experience across all platforms. Smoothing out your edges and using each marketing platform to your advantage will help you dramatically boost your mobile conversion rate. For instance, you may want to consider adding a customer support feature to your largest social media accounts. A whopping 63% of people expect customer support options through social media. If a smartphone user is thinking about becoming a customer, not having an additional support option could be a deal-breaker. Your objective is to make things as simple as possible for visitors discovering your company and those interested in the products or services offered on-site. So, improving your page loading times and reducing clutter on your website will ensure that mobile and desktop users alike can find exactly what they need. It’s also a good idea to simplify the big moments in the buying process. For example, fine-tuning your checkout page ensures that more customers stick around and complete their order. As a result, you’ll see fewer abandoned carts and an improved customer retention rate. This part of the process will evolve in phases. Take your time and slowly improve navigation, design, and function availability across all platforms, and you’ll see more mobile engagement. Shift to Visual Content We’ve also noticed a drastic shift in the way people consume content. Mobile users are a big fan of visual content like images and videos. Both of these types of media see more engagement when compared to simple text posts. There’s an additional engagement level that people get from experiencing others doing things instead of writing about them. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there are plenty of ways to mix up your content for mobile users. If you’re looking for a new way to generate more mobile leads for your email list, consider creating an infographic lead magnet. Lead magnets are essentially pieces of content that users can get in exchange for their email addresses. An infographic is a visual piece of content that displays interesting points and facts for people to read. Creating a lead magnet with a nice piece of visual content will encourage mobile users to subscribe, which opens the door to future engagement opportunities. Video content is also extremely helpful in helping brands grow their mobile audience. In fact, video content alone is 50x more likely to drive organic traffic than text-only posts! Think about unique videos you can make that focus on your products or industry as a whole. You can make an opinion piece, guide, tutorial, or even spend some time chatting with your followers. People love video content, and that trend will not change in 2021. Final Thoughts As you can glean from this article, trends will continue to grow. As more people get comfortable using mobile devices, expect to see a continued increase in shoppers. We think that there will be an increased demand for these strategies as brands continue adapting to their customers’ needs.

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