Discover practical, budget-friendly marketing strategies that drive real results through the busy season and beyond.
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Q&A: Email Marketing & Digital Strategy Tips
Q: We have a full client list, so we aren’t necessarily trying to grow our client list, but we still want to be relevant and share niche information. What advice do you have for this circumstance?
A: Set up monthly emails that share knowledge relevant to your readers. If your content differs by audience, use dynamic content to customize what people see. You can also include polls to boost engagement.
Q: What about a staffing firm? Any tips?
A: Staffing firms typically have two audiences:
The companies you’re recruiting for.
The candidates you’re recruiting.
Set up separate marketing messages for each. Share job listings and skill resources with candidates, and provide hiring tips or success stories for employers. A monthly email plus social media posts derived from that content works well.
Q: With an auction business, I’m having a hard time with SEO since my inventory changes weekly. Any advice?
A: Focus your SEO on the categories of products you sell (e.g., auto parts, home goods, furniture) and pair those keywords with “auction.” Keeping the terms broad helps ensure you capture searches despite changing inventory.
Q: Owning a gun store makes social media tricky due to community guidelines. Any suggestions?
A: Stick to safety- and product-focused messaging, and avoid real-life scenario imagery. For paid ads, note that Meta prohibits firearm sales or links to purchase. Instead, run lead ads or create educational landing pages (e.g., free safety tips or certification guides). Build trust and then follow up with product promotions through email. If ads are flagged, always correct and appeal.
Q: We typically pull a list from our CRM when running email blasts. What is an acceptable unsubscribe rate?
A: It varies by industry. Turn on the comment box for unsubscribers to learn why they’re leaving. Unsubscribes are better than spam complaints, but feedback can reveal issues like frequency. If necessary, reduce to bi-monthly or monthly emails.
Q: Any strategies for structuring a large-scale email campaign that drives stronger engagement and click-through rates? (I’m a landscape photographer leading photo tours and workshops.)
A: Build seasonal automations tied to your business flow—seasonal changes, community events, or photography opportunities. Always highlight your workshops, and include polls to gather insights and engage readers.
Q: If I create an ad in Canva using their “voice” tool, will it work with Constant Contact emails?
A: Videos need to be uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube to ensure playback quality. Once hosted, you can embed the video in your Constant Contact email, and the audio will play when clicked.
Q: Do you recommend automated email marketing with Zapier and Salesforce for dealership form submissions?
A: Yes! Use automation to nurture new leads and build trust. Share what makes your dealership unique (vehicles, customer experience). You can also automate thank-you emails after a purchase or service appointment.
Q: We’ve been using Constant Contact for 10+ years and have many old email lists. Should we include everyone or only the last 3–5 years of contacts?
A: If you’ve emailed them consistently and they’re engaging, keep them. If not, run a re-engagement campaign with valuable content to test interest. If they remain inactive, it’s best to trim the list.
Q: Is it a good idea to send personal emails to frequent openers for potential business?
A: Yes! Personalized outreach works. To save time, create campaigns for your most engaged contacts with gratitude messages, discounts, or special offers. Use personalization tools like merge tags and dynamic content.
Q: Which AI platform do you recommend?
A: Constant Contact offers built-in AI tools:
Campaign Builder: create multichannel campaigns at once.
Content Generator: use the “Write with AI” feature in the editor to generate text for emails and posts.
Q: Is there a way to prevent Constant Contact emails from going to Gmail’s Promotions tab?
A: Placement in Gmail tabs is controlled by the recipient. They can move your emails to Primary, but you cannot force it. Remember, Promotions ≠Spam. Educate subscribers on how to adjust their Gmail settings if needed.
Q: My business averages 4.7–4.8 in reviews, but I just received a false and negative Yelp review. Should I reply or wait until my removal request is reviewed?
A: Wait until the appeal is resolved before responding. If the review remains, respond professionally by showing openness to resolve issues—even if false. Your reply is less about that reviewer and more about showing future customers how you handle feedback.
