Let’s talk about email automation – it’s a cool way to send messages without doing all the work yourself!
Imagine you have a magic mailbox that sends letters to your friends when certain things happen. That’s kind of what email automation is like. It’s becoming super popular because it makes talking to customers so much easier.
So, what’s the big deal about email automation? Well, it helps you stay in touch with your customers without having to write a new email every time. It’s like having a friendly robot that sends messages for you!
Here are some awesome things about using email automation:
1. It keeps you connected with customers: Your emails pop up in their inbox at just the right time, reminding them about your business.
2. It saves you time: Once you set it up, the emails send themselves. You don’t have to do much work after that!
3. It helps you learn what works: You can see which emails people like best and make your messages even better over time.
Email automation isn’t just for selling stuff. It can also help with customer service and remind people about appointments.
By the way, if you’d rather have someone else handle all your email stuff, we can help with that too. We have a service that takes care of reaching out to potential business customers for you. Interested? Let’s set up a time to chat about it!
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Email automation tips
Let’s chat about some quick tips for using email automation. It’s like having a super-smart helper for your emails, but you need to use it wisely!
1. Write emails people want to read:
Just because a robot is sending your emails doesn’t mean they should sound robotic. Take time to write messages that your customers will enjoy. Think about what they’d like to hear from you. It’s like writing a letter to a friend – you want it to sound friendly and interesting, right?
2. Don’t overdo it:
Imagine if your friend sent you 10 texts every day. It would get annoying, wouldn’t it? The same goes for emails. Don’t send too many, or people might stop reading them altogether.
3. Know why you’re sending each email:
Every email should have a job to do. Maybe you want people to visit your website, buy something, or fill out a form. Make sure your emails guide people to do these things.
4. Keep making your emails better:
Pay attention to how well your emails are working. Are people opening them? Clicking on links? Buying things? Use this info to make your emails even better over time.
Remember, email automation is a tool to help you connect with your customers. Use it in a way that makes them happy to hear from you. That way, your emails will be like a welcome message from a friend, not just another thing cluttering up their inbox.
The Best Email Automation Software
Let’s talk about some cool tools that can help you send awesome emails without doing all the work yourself. These are like having a super-smart robot assistant for your emails!
1. Intercom
Imagine having a magic wand that could do all sorts of email tricks. That’s kind of what Intercom is like! It’s not just for sending emails – it helps you take care of your customers in lots of ways. Here’s what makes Intercom special:
- It can pick out just the right people to send emails to, like finding the perfect audience for your message.
- You can test different versions of your emails to see which one works best. It’s like having a taste test, but for emails!
- You can see how well your emails are doing, like keeping score in a game.
Now, Intercom isn’t cheap, but it can do so much that many people think it’s worth the money. The only tricky part is that if you want to add countdown timers to your emails (like “Only 2 days left!”), it’s not as easy as it could be.
2. Mailchimp
Imagine you had a friendly robot that could send emails for you. That’s kind of what Mailchimp is like. It’s super popular because it can do lots of cool things, and the best part? You can try it for free!
Here’s what makes Mailchimp special:
1. It’s a jack-of-all-trades: Mailchimp can handle all sorts of email tasks. It’s like having a helper who’s good at many different jobs.
2. It’s budget-friendly: You can start using Mailchimp without spending any money. It’s like getting a free sample at the ice cream shop!
3. It can send welcome messages: When someone joins your email list, Mailchimp can automatically say “Hi!” for you. It’s like having a friendly doorman for your emails.
4. It reminds people about forgotten shopping: If someone leaves stuff in their online shopping cart, Mailchimp can gently remind them. It’s like having a polite store clerk who says, “Hey, did you forget something?”
5. It watches what people do: Mailchimp can see when people open your emails or click on links. Then it can do different things based on what they did. It’s like having a detective who figures out what your readers like!
But here’s the thing: while Mailchimp is great at lots of stuff, it can’t do everything. It’s more like a Swiss Army knife than a full toolbox. For some really fancy email tricks, you might need a different tool.
3. ConvertKit
Let’s chat about ConvertKit – it’s like having a super-smart assistant for your emails!
Imagine you’re building a cool machine with colorful blocks. That’s kind of what using ConvertKit is like. It helps you make your emails do neat tricks, and it’s so easy that even kids could do it!
Here’s what makes ConvertKit awesome:
1. It’s super easy to use: ConvertKit has a friendly editor that makes setting up email plans a breeze. It’s like playing with Legos, but for emails!
2. It can follow rules you make: You can tell ConvertKit, “If this happens, do that.” For example, “If someone joins my list, send them a welcome email.” It’s like training a puppy to do tricks!
3. It can spot when things change: ConvertKit notices when stuff happens, like when someone buys something or joins a special group. Then it can do something cool in response.
4. You can make it as simple or fancy as you want: You can start with easy plans, but if you want to get really creative, ConvertKit can handle that too. It’s like starting with a simple sandwich and working your way up to a gourmet meal!
5. It keeps everything organized: ConvertKit helps you keep track of all your email plans in one place. It’s like having a tidy toy box where everything has its spot.
The best part about ConvertKit is that it grows with you. As you learn more about email marketing, you can do more complex stuff without needing to switch to a different tool.
4. Drip
Let’s talk about Drip.
Imagine you’re the director of a play, and Drip is your stage manager. It helps everything run smoothly behind the scenes. Here’s what makes Drip special:
1. It’s a rule master: Drip can follow rules you set up, like “If someone clicks this link, send them that email.” It’s like teaching a dog new tricks, but for your email list!
2. It can handle simple and complex tasks: Whether you want to do something simple or create a fancy email plan, Drip can handle it. It’s like having both a basic calculator and a super-computer in one tool.
3. It watches what people do: Drip pays attention to how people react to your emails. If someone really likes what you send, Drip can move them to a special VIP list. Cool, right?
4. It can create email journeys: With Drip, you can set up a whole series of emails that change based on what each person does. It’s like creating a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, but with emails!
5. It keeps everything organized: Drip helps you keep track of all your email plans in one place. It’s like having a tidy closet where all your clothes are sorted just right.
The neat thing about Drip is that it can make your emails feel more personal. It’s not just sending the same message to everyone – it’s like having a conversation where you remember what each person likes.
5. Hubspot
Imagine you had a super-smart assistant who could handle all your marketing tasks. That’s kind of what HubSpot is like. It’s not just for emails, it’s for all sorts of marketing stuff. Pretty cool, right?
Here’s what makes HubSpot special:
1. It’s an all-in-one tool: HubSpot can do lots of different jobs, not just emails. It’s like having a whole marketing team in one tool!
2. It makes pretty emails: HubSpot has easy-to-use tools for creating nice-looking emails. It’s like having an art studio for your messages.
3. It acts on what customers do: HubSpot watches what your customers are up to. If someone buys something or leaves stuff in their cart, it can send them just the right email. It’s like having a mind-reading robot!
4. It follows rules you set: You can tell HubSpot, “If this happens, do that.” For example, “If someone visits our website three times, send them a special offer.” It’s like training a smart dog to fetch the newspaper.
5. It helps you plan ahead: With HubSpot, you can set up whole series of emails that go out at just the right time. It’s like planting seeds and watching them grow into a beautiful garden.
The cool thing about HubSpot is that it can make your marketing feel more personal and on-point. It’s not just about sending emails – it’s about sending the right message to the right person at the right time.
6. Keap
Keap used to be called Infusionsoft – same tool, new name! It’s like a big toolbox for sales and marketing. The cool part? It’s really good at planning email campaigns. Imagine you’re planning a big adventure – Keap helps you map out every step. You can use ready-made plans (like following a recipe) or make your own from scratch (like inventing a new game). It’s perfect for when you want to send a whole series of emails to your customers, one after another, like telling a story bit by bit.
7. Sendinblue
Imagine you’re a train conductor, but instead of trains, you’re in charge of emails! With Sendinblue, you can run many email trains at once. Cool, right? But wait, there’s more! Your email trains can connect to other fun stuff too. They can send text messages to phones or update your list of friends’ names and addresses. Now, how do these email trains start their journey? Well, it’s like a game of “Simon Says”. Your email train might start when:
- Simon (your customer) opens an email
- Simon gives you new information about themselves
- Simon visits your website
It’s like having a magical post office that knows exactly when to send letters to your friends!
8. ActiveCampaign
Imagine you have a friendly robot helper named Active. This robot’s job is to make sure all your customers have a great time with your business. How cool is that?
Active is really good at drawing pictures. It can draw colorful maps that show when to send emails and how. It’s like creating a treasure hunt for your customers!
Here’s a fun example: Let’s say your customer, Bobby, visits your toy store’s website and looks at a cool new bike. Active sees this and thinks, “Hmm, I bet Bobby likes that bike!” So, Active waits for one hour (to give Bobby time to think), then sends a friendly email asking, “Hey Bobby, did you like that awesome bike?”
But Active is super smart too. It can play a game of “If This, Then That” with your emails. If Bobby clicks on the bike email, Active might send another email with a special deal. If Bobby doesn’t click, Active might wait a few days and then send an email about different toys instead.
It’s like having a really smart friend who always knows the right thing to say to your customers at just the right time!
9. MailerLite
Imagine you have a magic mailbox called MailerLite. It’s super easy to use, like your favorite board game! The best part? It’s free to play with until you have a lot of friends (we call them subscribers in email world). Here’s how it works:
- You can send up to 12,000 letters (emails) each month.
- You can have up to 1,000 friends on your mailing list.
- If you need more, you might need to put some coins in the mailbox.
Now, let’s say you have different groups of friends – some like sports, others love music. MailerLite lets you sort your friends into different groups. It’s like having different folders for your stickers! Once you’ve sorted your friends, you can create special plans (we call them workflows) for each group. Maybe your sports friends get emails about the big game, while your music friends hear about the latest hit songs. It’s perfect if you’re just starting your email adventure. You can learn how to be an email wizard without spending any gold coins! Remember, MailerLite is like having a friendly owl deliver your messages – it’s simple, it’s fun, and it helps you stay in touch with all your friends!
10. Omnisend
Omni is like the ultimate messenger. It doesn’t just send emails – it can also send text messages to phones and even pop-up messages on computers. It’s like having a friend who can talk to people in many different ways!
Here’s what makes Omni really special:
- It comes with a box of ready-made message plans. It’s like having a cookbook full of yummy recipes. You can pick a plan and start sending messages right away!
- But wait, there’s more! If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own special message plans. It’s like inventing your own recipe. You get to decide when to send messages and what they should say.
Think of Omni as your personal DJ. Just like a DJ mixes different songs to make awesome music, Omni mixes different ways of talking to your customers to make sure they’re always happy and excited about your stuff.
With Omni, you’re not just sending boring old letters. You’re creating a fun, exciting way to talk to all your customers. It’s like throwing a party where everyone’s invited, and you get to choose all the games!
How to Pick Your Email Automation Tool
Wow! We’ve learned about so many cool email tools. But how do you choose the right one for you? It’s like picking the perfect pet – you need to find one that fits just right with your family. Here are some things to think about:
- How Tricky Do You Want It? Some email tools are like simple puzzles, while others are like giant Rubik’s cubes! Think about how complex you want your email magic to be. Remember, fancier tools might cost more gold coins.
- Is It Easy to Use? You want a tool that’s as easy to use as your favorite video game controller. If you keep getting stuck or confused, it might not be the right tool for you. It should feel like you’re having fun, not doing hard homework!
- Can It Grow with You? Imagine you’re picking a new pair of shoes. You want them to fit now, but also when your feet grow bigger, right? Same with email tools! Make sure it can handle more friends (subscribers) and more emails as your list gets bigger.
- Does It Play Nice with Your Other Toys? If you have other computer tools you like to use, make sure your new email tool can be friends with them. It’s like making sure your new puppy gets along with your pet hamster!
- How Many Gold Coins Does It Cost? Some tools are free, like playing in the park. Others cost money, like going to an amusement park. Think about how many gold coins you have in your piggy bank and choose a tool that fits your budget.
Remember, there’s no “perfect” tool for everyone. It’s all about finding the one that feels just right for you. It’s okay to try a few different ones before you find your email best friend!
And guess what? As you grow and learn, you might want to switch to a different tool. That’s okay too! The most important thing is to have fun while you’re learning about email magic.
Now go forth and find your perfect email helper! Your email adventures await!
Jayson is a long-time columnist for Forbes, Entrepreneur, BusinessInsider, Inc.com, and various other major media publications, where he has authored over 1,000 articles since 2012, covering technology, marketing, and entrepreneurship. He keynoted the 2013 MarketingProfs University, and won the “Entrepreneur Blogger of the Year” award in 2015 from the Oxford Center for Entrepreneurs. In 2010, he founded a marketing agency that appeared on the Inc. 5000 before selling it in January of 2019, and he is now the CEO of EmailAnalytics and OutreachBloom.