The key to mapping out your email marketing strategy is to plan. And if you have your sweet trouble with how to do it, I brought you 6 simple steps to get you started.
1. Look at your ideal audience profile
If you have been emailing your list from a while, then you must have an ideal audience. Even if you haven't created this profile in writing yet.
Revisit this ideal audience profile and update it if necessary. If you don’t have an ideal audience profile yet, now is the time to create one. They are the people who are most likely to need or want your product/service or the group of people you would most like to help.
2. Check your emails and DMs for FAQs
Start collecting frequently asked questions that you get from your prospective or current customers and clients.
If your business is new-ish and don't have FAQs at hand yet, look at posts in various Facebook groups you're in, see what your ideal clients might be asking in general, or from your competitors.
3. Review your product and service offerings
Think about what problems does your ideal audience have that your products or services can solve? Grab a sheet of paper and brainstorm on all possible problems and solutions that come to your mind.
4. Note down major holidays in the calendar year
New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter—you name it. Take note of all major holidays (and fun, unofficial holidays!) that you can link to your business.
5. Create a product/service promotion launch plan
Decide when you want to run special promotions during the year. Try to think outside of the box and for example, plan to offer a popup sale on your business birthday.
And of course, don't miss out on the yearly frenzy around Black Friday & Cyber Monday.
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Almost done!
By now:
you have a clear picture of your ideal audience,
you know what their frequent questions are,
you outlined how your product or service can solve their problems
you brainstormed about key calendar dates when you want to talk about special topics (launches, promotional offers).
So, what's left?
6. Grab a calendar
Grab a physical—or digital—calendar and start pre-planning your email content for the upcoming year. Start by drafting the topics and content for the special dates that you marked under step 4.
Based on how frequently you intend to email your list—weekly, bi-weekly or monthly—work your way back and fill in the dates in your calendar.