How Small Businesses Can Adjust to Shifts in Email Marketing

The field of email marketing is changing. So how can entrepreneurs and SMEs adapt rapidly to keep up web traffic, lead flow, and revenues? For example, the roll out of the new Gmail inbox essentially changes the impact and results of email marketing, which has been one of the best lead generation tools for small and medium sized businesses. For those who haven’t seen it yet, messages from businesses are now automatically filtered out of users’ main inboxes to separate spam tabs.

While readjusting marketing strategy, small business owners can salvage their email lists by:

1.    Advising contacts and new opt-ins where and when to find their email updates

2.    Moving email leads to social networks for unblocked communication

3.    Begin requesting more contact information such as phone numbers versus emails

4.    Encourage consumers to join their Google+ circles

5.    Switch opt-in funnels out for rewards for joining them on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks

What’s Next?

Going forward this change will demand small businesses and startups rethink how they will generate leads and approach inbound marketing. So how can marketers make up for this loss?

For a start this shift definitely rockets the importance and value of content. G-Code Magazine’s recent report on inbound marketing suggests that guest blogging is now a crucial addition for small businesses to engage in, and offers a variety of tips to maximize guest blogging ROI.

However, those that need leads and need to ship product now to keep money flowing are really left with a choice of paid media. This includes Google Adwords, Facebook promoted posts and sponsored stories, and other advertising, which has proven to drive inbound calls.

Fortunately these can all be made better when backed by toll free vanity numbers. Using phone extensions for PPC advertising small business owners can rocket results and ROI, while driving in hot inbound calls from consumers on mobile devices. This means ripe incoming leads eager to take action and easier conversions.