When you start a small business, you have a long to-do list. Make sure telling people about your product and services via an email strategy makes the short list. There are 5 common lies entrepreneurs tell themselves, which leads to delays setting up an email program. I talk to small business owners all the time who fall prey to these myths. Do you see yourself in this list? Are you throwing roadblocks in the path to your own success?
5 Myths About Email Small Business Owners Tell Themselves
Myth #1: I can't afford to start an email marketing program
Truth:
You can start with as small of a budget as you like and quite honestly, you can't afford not to.
Email done right is your best ROI for your marketing dollar. A study by Experian reports for every $1 spent on email marketing, $44.25 is the average ROI. There are a lot of basic, affordable, even free programs that let entrepreneurs get started with email. You can start small for little to no cost and later upgrade to a bigger investment in email. Just start.
Myth #2: I don't need an email tool. I can send marketing emails from my account.
Truth:
No, your company hosted or Yahoo or Gmail account was not meant to be used as a marketing platform and it isn't designed to send an email to your list of prospects. If you do try this, after a few attempts you can expect a friendly message from your email provider insisting you stop. Plus, email marketing systems designed for businesses help ensure your emails comply with CANSPAM regulations, which will help keep you out of trouble and fines. Use them.
Myth #3: I don't have a list of email addresses, so I'm not ready to start an email program.
Truth:
This is a cart before the horse trap businesses fall into. If you decide you can't email until you have 10,000, 1,000 or even 100 names, then you may never start. You have email addresses for at least your current customers or people you've been talking to as you create your business.
Make a commitment to begin with the email addresses you have (regardless how small the list). You will be more committed to building that list with an email program in place. Commit today.
Myth #4: I need a designer and new logo, before starting an email program
Truth:
Any email system you choose will have a set of templates you can use right out of the box. Custom design is nice, but can be another reason to stall. Stop stalling.
Myth #5: If I post on social media, I won't need email.
Truth:
There are so many reasons I could list here. For one, you can't reach as wide of an audience through social media. Think of your relatives and friends. Are they all on Facebook? Twitter? Instagram? No. Do they all own an email account? Yes!
Email remains a significantly more effective way to acquire customers than social media, nearly 40x that of Facebook and Twitter combined, according to a study by McKinsey and Co.
I recently read an article listing the top 30 reasons why entrepreneurs fail. Focusing on social media while sacrificing email strategy made #4 on the list. Don't put all your eggs in the smaller basket. Email is the biggest basket.
The Simple Truth:
Email has proven time and time again to be the best one of the best returns on investment for your marketing dollar. An email strategy should absolutely be in your business plan and your toolbox. It should be one of the earliest programs you set up.
If you've been stalling, ask us today how to jump start your strategy and promote your business. If other preconceived ideas are holding you back, tell us your story and we'll help you bust the myths and move forward.