I recently launched my very own podcast! Super exciting really after taking a break from podcasting since the end of 2022 when my co-host and I closed The System To Thrive Podcast for good. So I wanted to bring the topic I shared in the podcast about participation with your leads here into the blog and share it with you. I’m going to delve deep into the nitty-gritty of email engagement and how it can enhance your lead-generation efforts (and save you a bunch of time and stress). 

You can also listen to the episode that this is based on right here: 

Let’s dive in!

Why Email Engagement Matters

Let’s begin by understanding why email engagement is a crucial piece of the puzzle. Imagine you have a room full of eager prospects, potential clients, and enthusiasts genuinely interested in what you have to offer. Now, think of your email list as that room. Each email you send is an opportunity to engage with your audience, showcase your expertise, and ultimately, turn those prospects into paying customers.

The First Step: Open Rates

When it comes to email engagement, open rates are your foot in the door. It’s like getting people to enter that room we talked about. On average, across all industries, open rates hover around 20-25%. However, some industries enjoy much higher open rates, sometimes exceeding 40%.

To maximize your open rates, focus on crafting compelling subject lines that pique curiosity without resorting to clickbait. Your subject line is the welcome sign to that room, so make it inviting.

The Real Gold: Click-Through Rates (CTR)

Now, let’s talk about the real gold: click-through rates. CTR measures how many people not only opened your email but also clicked on something inside it. This is where the magic happens because it leads to action, whether it’s booking a call, signing up for an event, or making a purchase. Industry standards suggest CTRs can range between 2-5%, although some industries and well-crafted emails can see higher rates.

To boost both open and click-through rates, consider these key factors:

1. Subject Lines: Craft compelling and relevant subject lines that pique curiosity without resorting to clickbait. Your subject line is the welcome sign to that room, so make it inviting.

2. Segmentation: Divide your audience into segments based on their interests, behaviors, or demographics. Sending relevant content to targeted groups can significantly boost CTRs.

3. Personalization: Use recipients’ names and create tailored recommendations. Personalized emails often lead to higher engagement.

4. Content Quality: Provide high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. Quality trumps quantity.

5. Timing: Send emails when your audience is most likely to engage. Experiment with different send times to find the sweet spot.

My Story: Lessons from My List Building Journey

Allow me to share a personal story that underscores the importance of these principles. Back in 2014, I made some glaring mistakes in list building. I failed to segment my list, sending the same email to everyone regardless of their interests. This resulted in people receiving multiple, duplicate emails from me, a major unsubscribe trigger. I was inconsistent in my email schedule, failing to connect regularly with my list. And worst of all, I sent emails at 9 AM EST, ignoring the fact that my West Coast audience was still asleep.

How I Turned Things Around

To fix these issues, I took several steps:

1. I switched to ActiveCampaign: This allowed me to segment my list more effectively and use tagging for better targeting.

2. I moved to Calendly: This scheduling tool improved my lead generation process and integrated well with my email marketing.

3. I became consistent: Consistency in my email schedule was a game-changer. It built trust and boosted engagement.

4. I stayed informed: I constantly educate myself about industry trends, especially in email marketing, list building, and neurodiversity.

What You Can Do Today

Now, it’s your turn to supercharge your email engagement and lead generation efforts. Remember that email engagement is your pathway to building a thriving community of engaged prospects. With the right strategies, you can turn those prospects into loyal customers and advocates.

If you’d like to explore how to boost your email engagement and lead generation even further, why not book a call with me? Together, we can fine-tune your approach and help you achieve your business growth goals.

So, don’t wait! Take action today and start unlocking the power of email engagement. 

…And let’s supercharge your list-building efforts.

Thanks for tuning in to this blog post, inspired by Episode 7 of the Acquire podcast.

Ready to scale your business with confidence? Let’s chat! Learn more about how we can work together and book a call here. Let’s embark on this exciting journey to success!