Internet Marketing

5 Tasks to Prepare for 2021
ON BY PATRICIA BUCK
The year 2021 is approaching quickly, and with all the changes we’ve been forced to adapt to in 2020, even the simplest of otherwise usual tasks may easily get overlooked. If we think back on how this year started and how fast we’ve had to cope with rapid changes, it’s only reasonable to stipulate that we have learned a lot.
One thing we’ve learned for certain is – more things can be achieved from the comfort of our homes than we thought was possible, and this doesn’t apply only to online hangouts and virtual parties. Jobwise, people unfamiliar with the fast-paced developments in the gig economy have learned that there are multiple tools and even more ways to make our lives easier and our productivity better.
Let’s take a look at the most important knowledge we can apply to the forthcoming year.
1. Make Sure You Love Your Email Client
It’s a well-known fact that people spend too much time checking incoming emails, even those that aren’t time sensitive. It is also well known that every interruption delays the ongoing task and affects our concentration.
In addition, there are several other apps we keep checking regularly, thus creating additional distractions and disrupting the workflow. Simply put, we waste our time left and right while it doesn’t have to be so.
Much has been said about different approaches to better optimizing the time spent checking a multitude of platforms and email accounts. The best of them seems to be using an email client that integrates other apps, such as Asana and Slack, or allows you to manage multiple accounts.
By doing this, we not only save precious time but also learn to perform the tasks in a more efficient way. Getting used to the routine is, hence, the first goal for 2021.
2. Focus on Lean Operations
Lean operations have never been more important than these days when we’re witnessing people losing jobs at an alarming rate. Even if this is an extreme example, there is no reason why you shouldn’t learn to apply lean operations to optimize your business.
Simply put, lean operations portend a “do more with less” strategy. Basically, it means that the effort should be directed towards establishing an engaged workforce, increased profits, a productive workspace and overall, boosting internal functions.
3. Develop a New or Improved Marketing Strategy
Email marketing is the cheapest way of advertising and can be extremely effective if done right, even in the challenging times we’ve been weathering for months.
Much has been said about email marketing strategies, which depend greatly on a multitude of factors, but less is known about the focus and performance of prospective clients.
Hence, it would be a good idea to start 2021 with this intel in mind, especially since the rules of the game have changed due to the ongoing pandemic.
What we do know for certain is that some sectors traditionally perform better than others no matter the circumstances and external factors. Thus, top industries by open rate in 2020 include government (30.5%), nonprofit (25.2%) and education (23.4%). When it comes to the ranking of industries by CTR, the top performers are government (4.1%), real estate, design and construction activities (3.6%), and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (3.5%).
Government, nonprofit and education continually top the list, and the trend is unlikely to change dramatically – even due to the pandemic. Hence, if your business can fit into some of these benchmarks, you should start preparing the best strategy for 2021.
Next on, think about improving click-to-open-rates and open rates. To do this, focus on the following:
- Check how your emails display across devices, making sure that subject lines are displayed in full.
- Send only segmented emails.
- Optimize the email copy and design.
- Feature a professional and clearly visible CTA.
- Automate email campaigns whenever applicable.
- Be careful with the timing and frequency of your campaigns.
- Compose stellar subject lines no longer than 60 characters.
- Write quality content, consistent with your brand’s tone and business promise.
- Optimize all emails and subject lines.
- Optimize pre-header text.
- Always send only relevant content.
- Advertise one offer or promotion only.
- Send personalized offers.