3 things to know about email marketing for nonprofits

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Email marketing is a powerful tool. It allows you to connect directly with a recipient on their most used devices.?

But, how do you get started with email marketing? Here are three things to know about email marketing for nonprofits!?

Choosing a platform?

There are plenty of email marketing services out there, but what is right for your organization? There are several factors to consider, including your skill level and budget. Some platforms are a little more intuitive than others and some are even free. Here are some of our favorites:?

Mailchimp - Free platform for emails sent to up to 500 subscribers. Very easy interface to use, but not very customizable.?

Constant Contact - Starts at $12 per month to send emails to up to 500 subscribers. A little more customizable and looks more professional. Great customer service.?

Flodesk - $38 per month to send emails to as many subscribers as you’d like. Not very customizable, but consider the “trendy” email platform.?

Emma - Starts at $99 per month to send emails to up to 10,000 subscribers. Design software is drag and drop and used frequently by nonprofits.?

Deciding on frequency?

Consistency is key when creating your email marketing plan. By creating a consistent schedule, subscribers will know when to hear from you. While best send times differ between industries, generally between 9am and 11am on Tuesday-Thursday performs well. Avoid sending emails on the weekends and really early in the morning. Consider catching people first thing (9am) when they arrive at work and are likely checking emails.?

To find the best time for your organization, experiment three emails in a row with different days of the week and times to see which performs best.?

Understanding your audience?

It’s important to keep your audience in mind as you get started, too. Knowing the type of content that your subscribers are interested in will help you curate the best email. For example, if your subscribers really like hearing success stories, be sure to include one in each of your emails!?

Also consider how your audience is going to want to see information. For example, if you’re sending emails to a lot of older adults, consider larger text sizes. If your subscribers are opening more emails on desktop than they are on mobile, consider designing a web-first email.?

Ready to invest in your email marketing strategy? We can help! Contact us today!

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