How to Separate Email Lists (And The Reasons It's a Good Idea)

Another way of tackling this issue is using  segmentation, which is a method to filter and sort the email list. It is possible to use segmentation to ensure that your emails will be sent to those who are most relevant to your target audience. Your email list may be segmented by demographics, the level of engagement in your industry or whatever other measure you'd like to use.

In this article, we'll discuss the importance of email segmentation , and give some tips to get started. Let's jump right in!

An Introduction for Email List Segmentation

Additionally it is possible to increase the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns effective by using email list segmentation. Segmentation involves creating different groups, with a focus on different levels of activity, demographics or whatever other metrics you'd like to use.

In this case, for instance, you might decide to separate for example, you could want to separate your marketing qualified leads (MQLs) into one list. This is a list of people who have shown curiosity about your company for example, by signing up to your email list or visiting your site. This enables you to target your MQLs with special promotions including discount codes or free trials.

Utilizing segmentation this way can be an excellent method for improving your efforts to market your emails. For example, research by MailChimp shows that segmented emails are 14% more likely to open rate than non-segmented emails throughout the entire spectrum and a 100% higher CTR.

What's more, segmentation can be an effective way to decrease the number of people who unsubscribe. In particular, you can separate your subscriber list by non-members and members. So, you'll avoid sending members general marketing emails which could only annoy them. Irrelevant emails are one of the major reason people unsubscribe from mailing lists, and segmenting your list helps you keep all of your marketing highly relevant.

How Do I Begin with Segmenting Email Lists

The good news is that almost all software for marketing via email allow you to separate your lists. Additionally, the majority use segments in the same way. In the popular MailChimp service, for example you are able to separate your lists either manually using a spreadsheet separate from the original and then automatically making use of merge fields.

Merge fields are placeholders that insert specific information into your emails. It is possible that you have utilized them before to personalize messages, such as by using a tag like FNAME*:

It will include each user's first name into the email they receive, without requiring that you personalize your email messages manually.

When creating your email list's sign-up form be sure to think on what data you would like to gather, aside from email addresses. Every bit of information that you collect can be a merge field that is a way to segment and personalize your lists:

In order to do this it is necessary to think about what information makes sense for your website's information to be included. For example, if you manage a job board site, collecting data on a "job kind" upon sign-up will mean that the subscribers can be segmented according to their profession. You could then target members with messages about news and opportunities in their field.

The most effective ways you can segment your email lists include:

• Localization. You can use details like zip codes to sort your subscribers' areas. This is especially useful in membership websites that include an element of geography for example, like an online element of a school which also offers in-person classes.
• Date of sign-up. This information can be utilized to provide exciting opportunities that will attract new customers or give your existing customers promotions.
• Activity in email. It's also possible to sort your email list based on customers that already have a high CTR or open rates. This can be a great method to determine who your most loyal fans are. Perhaps you can offer these surveys to your fans, or offer offers or discounts.
• Interests. Finally, you may ask users at signup to choose which type of emails they'd like to get. In this way, subscribers can choose the content that interests them. In addition adding an unsubscribe option to your website that asks visitors if, instead of not registering, they'd rather control the newsletters they've registered for.

Additionally, you can connect with many email marketing platforms, including MailChimp, AWeber and Constant Contact. This enables the import of a list of members of your website which allows you to create a segment specifically for them. Certain platforms also offer extra alternatives - with MailChimp For instance, you can use tags to divide your database further based on membership levels.

Tips for Segmenting Your Mailing List Effectively

Before we wrap up this article, we'll review some options for how to use segmented lists to benefit your membership site. You can:

• Reward your most loyal customer. This includes offering discounts or other perks for customers who have the highest CTRs.
• A specific drip campaign can help you encourage your current members to renew before their membership expires.
• Filter out irrelevant emails. As we mentioned previously, it's important to ensure that every mail you write with a specific message is sent to those who are likely to find it useful. As an example, you'd want to advertise events to people who live close by enough to be able to go. You can then target your list by providing content that has a broader area of focus.

The more exact you can be in your segmentation of emails and targeting the more precise you can be, the more effective. It will ensure that you be able to get the maximum benefit out of your effort.

Conclusion

Segmenting emails is a great way to target specific audiences, in order to improve the effectiveness of your marketing emails and increase engagement rates. It enables you to tailor mailers to different kinds of users, which makes the likelihood higher that they will be able to respond and read your messages.

You can use segmentation using nearly every popular marketing email tool. There are a variety of ways that you could segment your email messages include targeting subscribers based on their geographical location, their email activity and/or sign-up date. It is also possible to import your members' emails addresses using a plugin.

Do you have any questions concerning email segmentation? Please let us know in the comments section below!