Sending electronic messages has now become a "must-have" weapon for businesses to connect with their desired audience and turn potential prospects into paying patrons. But wait, there's a catch! To triumph in this game, you'll need a Jedi-level email marketing mastermind who can create and execute awe-inspiring tactics.
If you're looking to hire an email marketer but aren't sure where to start, you're in the right place. Here, we'll guide you through the key steps to finding and hiring the right email marketer for your business. From defining your needs to evaluating candidates, we'll cover everything you need to know to make an informed hiring decision.
So let's dive in and learn how to hire an email marketer who can take your email marketing efforts to the next level.
It's a wise decision to bring in an email marketing expert when you're looking to take your email campaigns to the next level. Here are a few instances when hiring an email marketing expert may be beneficial -
When you're new to email marketing and don't know where to start.
When you're experiencing a high rate of email unsubscriptions or low open rates.
When you're looking to segment your email lists and personalize your email content.
When you're looking to integrate email marketing with other digital marketing channels.
When you're looking to scale your email marketing campaigns and automate your email workflows.
Email marketing is a highly effective way to reach and engage with your target audience, but it requires a skilled and experienced email marketer to execute campaigns successfully. Here are some key criteria to consider when judging an email marketer's work -
The candidate should understand Email deliverability: A successful email campaign requires high deliverability rates. An email marketer should be able to ensure that emails are delivered to the recipient's inbox and not marked as spam.
Open rates and click-through rates (CTR): Open rates and CTR are important metrics that indicate how engaged your audience is with your emails. A good email marketer should be able to develop strategies that increase open rates and CTR.
List growth: A skilled email marketer should be able to develop strategies that grow your email list, such as lead magnets, opt-in forms, and list segmentation.
Segmentation and personalization: A good email marketer should be able to segment your email list and personalize your email campaigns based on subscriber behavior and preferences.
A/B testing: A successful email campaign requires continuous testing and optimization. An email marketer should be able to design and execute A/B tests that improve campaign performance.
Campaign analytics: A skilled email marketer should be able to track and analyze campaign performance, including metrics such as open rates, CTR, conversions, and revenue.
Automation: A good email marketer should be able to develop and execute automated email campaigns, such as welcome emails, abandoned cart emails, and re-engagement campaigns.
Compliance: An experienced email marketer should be well-versed in email marketing regulations, such as GDPR and CAN-SPAM, and ensure that your campaigns are compliant.
An email marketer's job is to develop and execute effective email campaigns that engage and convert your target audience. Here are some final deliverables you can expect from an email marketer's work -
Email templates: A skilled email marketer should be able to design and develop custom email templates that align with your brand's visual identity and messaging.
Email copy: An email marketer should be able to write compelling and persuasive email copy that engages your audience and drives conversions.
Segmented email lists: A good email marketer should be able to segment your email list based on subscriber behavior and preferences, ensuring that your campaigns are targeted and personalized.
Automated email campaigns: An experienced email marketer should be able to develop and execute automated email campaigns, such as welcome emails, abandoned cart emails, and re-engagement campaigns.
Campaign analytics: An email marketer should be able to track and analyze campaign performance, including metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, conversions, and revenue.
A/B testing reports: An email marketer should be able to design and execute A/B tests and provide reports on the results, helping you optimize your campaigns for better performance.
Compliance reports: An email marketer should ensure that your campaigns are compliant with email marketing regulations such as GDPR and CAN-SPAM and provide compliance reports.
Recommendations for optimization: An email marketer should provide recommendations for optimizing your email campaigns based on data analysis and performance metrics.
By working with an experienced email marketer, you can expect to receive these deliverables that will help you achieve your email marketing goals and improve your ROI.
While email marketers are skilled professionals who can help you achieve your email marketing goals, there are some things you should not expect them to do. Here are some examples -
Develop overall marketing strategy: While an email marketer can provide insights and recommendations on email marketing strategies, they should not be expected to develop your overall marketing strategy. It's important to have a clear understanding of your business goals and target audience, which can guide the development of your marketing strategy.
Graphic design: While an email marketer can develop custom email templates, they are not typically responsible for graphic design work. If you need graphic design work, it's best to hire a dedicated graphic designer.
Sales: While email campaigns can help drive conversions, an email marketer should not be expected to handle direct sales. Their role is to engage and nurture leads, not make direct sales.
Copywriting for other marketing channels: While email marketers are skilled copywriters, they should not be expected to write copy for other marketing channels such as social media, website, or print materials. These require different writing styles and strategies.
Hiring an email marketer can be a crucial decision for your business, and it's important to avoid common mistakes that could lead to a poor hiring decision. Here are some mistakes to avoid while hiring an email marketer -
Focusing solely on technical skills: While technical skills are important, it's equally important to consider soft skills such as communication, creativity, and problem-solving. An email marketer with strong soft skills can be more effective at engaging and converting your target audience.
Not asking for examples of past work: Before hiring an email marketer, it's important to review their portfolio and examples of past work. This can help you understand their style and approach to email marketing, and assess whether it aligns with your brand's goals and visual identity.
Not assessing industry knowledge: Email marketing is constantly evolving, and it's important to hire an email marketer who is up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices. Ask candidates about their favorite email marketing blogs, podcasts, or influencers, and assess their knowledge of email marketing regulations such as GDPR and CAN-SPAM.
Here are some FAQs to ask an email marketer before hiring -
This question can help you understand the candidate's level of experience in email marketing, and whether they have worked on campaigns similar to what you are looking for.
Understanding how a candidate measures success in email marketing can help you align on your goals and expectations for the campaign.
Knowing what email marketing software the candidate has experience with can help you assess their technical skills and determine whether they are familiar with the software you use.
Reviewing past work can give you an idea of the candidate's style and approach to email marketing, and help you assess whether they are a good fit for your brand.
Email marketing is constantly evolving, and it's important to hire an email marketer who is up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. This question can help you assess the candidate's commitment to ongoing learning and development.
The cost of hiring an email marketer can vary depending on several factors such as the marketer's level of experience, the scope of the project, the number of email campaigns, and the complexity of the campaign.
Email marketers may charge by the hour, by the project, or on a retainer basis. Hourly rates can range from $50-$150 per hour, while project-based rates can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on the scope of work.
Some email marketers may also offer packages or pricing tiers based on the number of emails per month, the size of the email list, and the level of customization required.
It's important to discuss pricing and payment terms with the email marketer before hiring to ensure that both parties are aligned on the scope of work, pricing, and payment schedule. Additionally, it's important to consider the value that an experienced and skilled email marketer can bring to your business and to prioritize finding a marketer who can deliver effective email campaigns that generate a positive return on investment.
Here are some different email marketing projects that an email marketer can cater to, along with an average pricing range for each project -
Email Campaign Strategy and Planning: An email marketer can help you develop a comprehensive email marketing strategy, including audience segmentation, content creation, and scheduling. Pricing can range from $1,000-$5,000 or more, depending on the scope of work.
Email Campaign Execution: An email marketer can create and send email campaigns on your behalf, including designing email templates, writing email copy, and scheduling campaigns. Pricing can range from $500-$2,000 or more per campaign, depending on the complexity of the campaign.
Email List Building: An email marketer can help you build and grow your email list, including creating lead magnets, developing landing pages, and implementing opt-in forms. Pricing can range from $500-$2,500 or more, depending on the size of the list and the scope of work.
Email Marketing Automation: An email marketer can help you set up automated email campaigns, including welcome series, abandoned cart emails, and post-purchase follow-ups. Pricing can range from $1,500-$5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the automation.
Email Performance Analysis: An email marketer can analyze your email campaign data and provide insights and recommendations for improving campaign performance. Pricing can range from $500-$2,000 or more, depending on the depth of the analysis and the scope of recommendations.
It's important to note that these pricing ranges are just estimates and can vary depending on the specific requirements of the project and the experience and expertise of the email marketer. It's always best to discuss pricing and payment terms directly with the email marketer to ensure that both parties are aligned on the scope of work and pricing.