Eira Wexford
Email marketing, you know, it’s still a really big deal for businesses as we head into 2025. People often talk about all the new shiny things on the internet, which is fair enough, but the good old email, it keeps on working its magic. It’s like a direct line to the folks you want to talk to, the ones who could really become your best customers over time. This whole thing, it’s not just about sending out a few emails here and there. Nope, it’s much more about setting up something called an email marketing funnel, a sort of pathway for people.
It’s this sort of planned journey, really, that you create for potential customers, moving them from just being curious about you to actually buying something, and then, hey, maybe even buying again. Getting this funnel set up right, it truly can make a really big difference for how your business does. We’re gonna walk through how to build one of these, so it actually works pretty well for your business this year and beyond. Because, normally, it just takes a bit of thought.
Getting People to Join Your Email List, Which is the First Part
Okay, so before you can even think about sending emails, you need to get people’s email addresses. That’s the very start, obviously. This part, the getting people to sign up, it’s called attraction or acquisition, sometimes. You need to make it super easy and also kinda enticing for someone to hand over their email. People generally aren’t just giving their contact details out to just anyone, you see, not these days.
So, how do you actually do this? A really common way is to offer something free in return. This could be, let’s say, a little guide, maybe a checklist, or perhaps a small, exclusive training video that people find useful. Something they might really want. This free thing, it needs to be related to what your business does, obviously, and it should give them a bit of a taste of what you can offer, too.
You need places for people to sign up, naturally. Think about putting clear sign-up forms on your website, you know, maybe in the footer or on a dedicated page. Pop-up forms, which can sometimes be a bit annoying for some, also work really quite well for a lot of businesses, if timed right. Just don’t let them be too pushy, is the common advice.
Think about your social media too, because that’s where a lot of people hang out. You can totally share links to your sign-up forms there, asking people to join your list. It’s all about making it super convenient for people to find the signup spot. The simpler the process, the more people you normally get joining up, which is what you want.
How to Talk to Them Once They’re On Your List (The Nurturing Bit)
Once someone has signed up, that’s just the beginning. The next thing you do, it is really important. This stage, it’s about building a sort of relationship with these new subscribers. You want them to get to know your brand, like what you do, and, hopefully, trust you a little bit more. This is typically where the welcome sequence comes in handy, actually.
A welcome series usually involves a few emails sent out over a few days, automatically. The first email, it should thank them for joining and deliver whatever freebie you promised them. After that, you can send emails that tell your story a little bit, maybe share some helpful content, or address common problems your target customers often have. It’s not about selling just yet, mainly.
You also need to think about splitting up your list, which is what people call “segmentation.” Not everyone who signs up is exactly the same, which is a fairly obvious point. Some might be interested in one product, others in a different one. So, dividing your list based on their interests or how they signed up, it can help you send more relevant messages.
Sending emails that feel like they’re just for that person, it really makes a huge difference to how they respond. It also means you’re not annoying people with stuff they don’t care about, which is a pretty good thing for keeping your unsubscribe rates low, normally speaking. Relevant content, delivered regularly, but not too regularly, is the simple plan.
Moving Towards Selling Something, or the Conversion Stage
Alright, so you’ve got people on your list, you’ve been sending them helpful stuff, and they sort of know you now. The time eventually comes where you need to start moving them towards actually buying something. This is what people generally call the conversion stage. It’s where you turn subscribers into paying customers, or at least try to.
This part of the funnel, it’s all about presenting your products or services in a way that feels natural and not too pushy. You can start by hinting at solutions that your products provide, maybe sharing success stories from other customers. It’s about showing, not just telling, what your thing can do for someone, you know.
Emails in this stage might include special offers, like a discount for first-time buyers, or maybe a limited-time sale on a specific product. You could also feature a product in detail, explaining how it solves a specific problem that many of your subscribers likely have. Make it easy for them to click through and buy things.
Remember, people usually need a little nudge sometimes. Sending a reminder email about an offer that’s about to expire can really help. The main aim here is to get them to take that one specific action, which is usually making a purchase. It’s considered to be the moment you get a return on your earlier efforts.
Keeping Customers Around (The Post-Sale Stuff and Loyalty)
So, someone bought something from you. Awesome! But the funnel doesn’t just stop there. Many people forget this part, actually. What happens after they buy is also really, really important, sometimes even more so. This post-purchase stage, it’s all about making sure they’re happy and encouraging them to come back, which they probably will if they’re happy.
Start with an immediate thank-you email and confirmation of their order. This is just good customer service, frankly. You can also provide useful information about their purchase, like how to use it, or how to get the most out of it. This sort of support builds trust and shows you care, beyond just getting their money.
Later on, you might want to ask for their feedback or a review of the product or service they got from you. People typically appreciate being asked what they think, and it gives you some social proof to show others, too. Also, it gives you some ideas for making your stuff better, which is pretty handy.
For repeat business, you can send emails that suggest related products they might like, or maybe special deals just for existing customers. Making them feel like they’re part of an exclusive club can really keep them coming back for more, which is the goal. This part is about turning a one-time buyer into a loyal, returning customer, because that’s what makes a business strong.
Looking at How Your Funnel is Doing and Making it Better
Building an email marketing funnel isn’t just a one-and-done kind of job, you know. It’s more of an ongoing process, really. You need to keep an eye on how it’s actually performing and then make changes based on what the numbers are telling you. This is where looking at your data comes into play, a lot.
What kinds of things should you be looking at? Well, how many people open your emails is a big one. Also, how many people click on the links inside your emails. And, of course, how many people actually end up buying something or completing the action you wanted them to do. These numbers normally tell you quite a bit about what’s working and what isn’t, so you can adjust.
If your open rates are low, maybe your subject lines aren’t very exciting. If people aren’t clicking, perhaps the email content itself isn’t compelling enough. If they click but don’t buy, there might be a problem on your website or with the offer itself, which needs looking at. It’s a bit like being a detective, sometimes.
You can also test different things, like trying out different subject lines to see which ones get more opens, or different calls to action to see which ones get more clicks. This A/B testing, as it’s called, it helps you figure out what your audience likes best. It’s all about trying to make each part of your funnel work a little bit better, piece by piece, as you go along.
So, setting up a solid email marketing funnel for 2025, it’s definitely a smart move for pretty much any business. It helps you bring in new people, turn them into customers who buy things, and then keep them coming back over time. It’s not just a bunch of random emails; it’s a thought-out system that guides people naturally. By making sure each stage is clear and gives good stuff, you can make a pathway that works really well for your customers and for your business too. It just takes a little bit of regular attention to get it all right.
FAQ About Creating an Email Marketing Funnel
Q1: What exactly is an email marketing funnel, and why is it important for my business in 2025?
An email marketing funnel is basically a planned path your potential customers take, all through email, from when they first hear about you until they buy something, and hopefully, become a repeat customer. It’s super important for 2025 because it helps you keep things organized and makes sure you’re sending the right messages to people at the right time, which actually gets more sales.
Q2: How do I get people to sign up for my email list at the very beginning of the funnel?
Normally, you need to offer them something good in exchange for their email. Think about a free guide, a small discount, or some special content. You also need clear sign-up forms on your website, maybe some pop-ups (if not too annoying), and links on your social media so people can easily find where to join up.
Q3: Once someone signs up, what kinds of emails should I send to build a relationship before selling?
After they sign up, you should start with a welcome series, which is a few automated emails. These typically thank them, give them their freebie, and then tell them a bit about your brand or share helpful tips that relate to what you do. It’s about getting them to know and trust you first, before you bring up buying something from you.
Q4: When should I start sending emails that try to get people to buy something?
You normally move to selling after you’ve built some trust and provided good content in the nurturing stage. This usually happens a few emails into your sequence, not right away. You can then introduce your products or services, maybe with special offers, and show how they solve problems your subscribers have.
Q5: What should I do after someone buys something to keep them as a customer?
After a purchase, definitely send a thank-you and order confirmation right away. Then, you can send emails asking for reviews, providing tips on using their new item, or even suggesting related products they might like. The idea is to make them feel appreciated and give them reasons to come back and buy again from you.
