Email marketing is dead for most of us. Well, maybe not dead, but definitely on life-support.

Think about it.

We all have a few companies that we allow into our inbox but we’ve opted out of most email campaigns. The few that remain are hand-picked. But some of those still get lost in our inbox without even being opened. The impersonal, repetitive and often unprofessional nature of most eblasts just turn people off.

Blitzkrieg marketing doesn’t work like it used to.

Most email marketing has become an abusive bombardment on our personal space. It’s highly annoying. And what do we do when we become annoyed? We check out.

Your customers are longing for more personal ways to connect with their favorite brands. They don’t just want to be one of thousands stuck in your email database. They have a desire to feel valued and connected… to you but, more importantly, to other people just like them.

If you do send out email marketing to your customers…

- DON’T do it too often; for most people, once every two weeks is plenty.
– DO have something (intelligent/witty/helpful) to say.
– HELP them connect to others just like them (testimonials, social media etc).
– DON’T repeat the same tired company catchphrases over and over.
– OFFER something in exchange for the invasion of space.
– DO have a professional, well-designed presentation.
– REMEMBER you’re selling more than a product/service

Email marketing may always have a place, but its power is waning. We highly suggest taking a little more time to connect with your customers through social media and other, more interactive venues. The community loyalty that you create as a result will be well worth your time.