Back to blog

How to use email marketing in an account-based marketing strategy

November 18, 2023 | Jimit Mehta

Email marketing is a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with potential customers, but it can be especially effective when integrated into an account-based marketing (ABM) strategy. ABM is a targeted approach to marketing that focuses on individual accounts rather than broad segments of potential customers. By combining the personalized nature of ABM with the reach and efficiency of email marketing, businesses can create highly targeted campaigns that drive results. In this article, we'll explore the ways in which email marketing can be effectively used in an ABM strategy, as well as provide tips and best practices for success.

Introduction to email marketing in an account-based marketing strategy

Email marketing is a tactic that involves sending emails to a targeted list of prospects or customers in order to promote a product or service, build relationships, or drive conversions. When used as part of an ABM strategy, email marketing can be a powerful tool for targeting specific accounts and personalizing your marketing efforts.

In an ABM strategy, the focus is on identifying and targeting specific accounts that are most likely to convert into customers. This involves creating personalized marketing campaigns that are tailored to the needs and interests of each individual account. Email marketing can be an effective way to reach these targeted accounts and deliver personalized messages that are relevant to their needs.

To get started with email marketing in an ABM strategy, you will need to build a targeted list of email addresses for your target accounts. This may involve purchasing a list of emails from a third-party provider or building your own list through outreach and lead generation efforts. Once you have your list, you can use email marketing software to create and send personalized emails to each account.

To be effective, your emails should be relevant, engaging, and personalized to the needs and interests of each individual account. You should also track and analyze the performance of your emails to see how they are resonating with your target accounts and make any necessary adjustments to your email marketing strategy.

Overall, email marketing can be a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with targeted accounts as part of an ABM strategy. By delivering personalized and relevant messages, you can build relationships and drive conversions with your most valuable accounts.

Personalize every website interaction
Try for free

Identifying target accounts for email marketing

Identifying target accounts for email marketing involves identifying the specific individuals or organizations that a business wants to reach with their email marketing campaigns. This can involve researching and analyzing the characteristics, behaviors, and interests of the target audience in order to create personalized and relevant email marketing messages.

There are several ways to identify target accounts for email marketing, including:

  1. Defining the target audience: The first step in identifying target accounts is to define the target audience for the campaign. This involves understanding who the business wants to reach, including factors such as demographics, interests, and behaviors.

  2. Researching target accounts: Once the target audience has been defined, the next step is to research potential target accounts. This can involve using tools such as social media, online directories, and email marketing software to find individuals and organizations that fit the target audience profile.

  3. Segmenting the target audience: It's often helpful to segment the target audience into smaller groups based on shared characteristics, behaviors, or interests. This can allow businesses to create more targeted and personalized email marketing messages for each segment.

  4. Building a target account list: Once the target accounts have been identified, the next step is to build a list of these accounts, which can be used for email marketing campaigns. This list should include contact information for each target account, such as email addresses and phone numbers.

By following these steps, businesses can effectively identify target accounts for their email marketing campaigns and create personalized and relevant messages that are more likely to be effective in reaching their desired audience.

Crafting personalized email campaigns for target accounts

Crafting personalized email campaigns for target accounts refers to the process of creating and sending targeted and personalized email marketing campaigns to specific accounts or groups of accounts. This approach is designed to help businesses improve the effectiveness of their email marketing efforts by tailoring their messages and offers to the specific needs and interests of their target audience.

To craft personalized email campaigns for target accounts, businesses typically start by identifying their target audience and segmenting them into groups based on factors such as demographics, location, job title, and other relevant characteristics. Once the target audience has been defined, businesses can then create customized email campaigns that are tailored to the specific needs and interests of each group.

To create these customized email campaigns, businesses may use a variety of tactics such as personalization tokens (e.g., using the recipient's name in the subject line or body of the email), targeted content (e.g., featuring products or services that are relevant to the recipient), and segmented email lists (e.g., sending different versions of the same email to different groups of recipients).

Overall, the goal of crafting personalized email campaigns for target accounts is to improve the chances of the emails being opened, read, and acted upon by the recipients, which can help businesses to drive more sales, generate leads, and build relationships with their customers.

Segmenting email lists for targeted account campaigns

Segmenting email lists for targeted account campaigns refers to the process of dividing an email list into smaller groups based on specific criteria, so that targeted and personalized marketing campaigns can be directed at each group. This is a common practice in email marketing, as it allows businesses to tailor their messaging and offers to specific segments of their audience, rather than sending the same message to everyone on their email list.

There are many different ways to segment an email list, and the specific criteria used will depend on the goals of the campaign and the characteristics of the target audience. Some common ways to segment an email list include:

  1. Demographic information: This can include age, gender, location, income, and other personal characteristics.

  2. Purchase history: This can include information about what products or services a customer has purchased in the past, as well as the frequency and value of their purchases.

  3. Engagement level: This can include information about how often a customer opens and clicks on emails, as well as how they interact with the company's website or social media accounts.

  4. Interests: This can include information about what products or services a customer is interested in, as well as any other topics or interests that they have indicated through their online behavior.

By segmenting an email list and targeting specific campaigns to each segment, businesses can increase the relevance and effectiveness of their marketing efforts, and improve their chances of generating leads and sales from their email campaigns.

Measuring and analyzing the effectiveness of email campaigns in an ABM strategy

In an ABM strategy, email campaigns can be an effective way to reach and engage with targeted accounts and individuals. To measure and analyze the effectiveness of email campaigns in an ABM strategy, you can use a variety of metrics and techniques.

Here are a few examples:

  1. Open rate: This measures the percentage of recipients who opened the email. A high open rate indicates that the subject line and sender reputation were effective in getting recipients to open the email.

  2. CTR: This measures the percentage of recipients who clicked on a link within the email. A high CTR suggests that the content of the email was relevant and engaging to the recipient.

  3. Conversion rate: This measures the percentage of recipients who took a desired action after receiving the email, such as filling out a form or making a purchase. A high conversion rate indicates that the email effectively motivated the recipient to take action.

  4. Time spent: This measures the amount of time that recipients spent interacting with the email, such as reading the content or clicking on links. A high time spent suggests that the email was engaging and relevant to the recipient.

  5. Bounce rate: This measures the percentage of emails that were not delivered due to a technical issue, such as an invalid email address. A high bounce rate suggests that the email list may contain incorrect or outdated contact information.

By tracking these and other metrics, you can gain insight into the effectiveness of your email campaigns and make adjustments to improve their performance. You can also segment your email list and analyze the performance of different groups to better understand what works and what doesn't work for different types of recipients.

Integrating email marketing with other ABM tactics and channels

"Integrating email marketing with other ABM tactics and channels" refers to the practice of combining email marketing with other marketing efforts that are targeted at specific accounts or organizations, rather than broad audiences. This can involve using email as one component of a larger ABM strategy that includes a variety of tactics and channels, such as direct mail, social media, advertising, and personal outreach.

By integrating email marketing with other ABM tactics and channels, businesses can create a more cohesive and personalized marketing experience for their target accounts. For example, an ABM campaign might involve sending targeted email messages to key decision makers at an account, followed by a series of personalized ads on social media and targeted direct mail pieces. This approach can help businesses better engage with their target accounts and drive higher conversion rates.

In order to effectively integrate email marketing with other ABM tactics and channels, it's important to have a clear understanding of the target audience and the goals of the campaign. This can help businesses create targeted messaging and marketing materials that are tailored to the needs and interests of their target accounts. It's also important to track and measure the effectiveness of the campaign, so businesses can understand what tactics and channels are working best and adjust their strategy as needed.

Best practices for using email marketing in an ABM strategy

"Account-based marketing" (ABM) is a strategy that involves focusing marketing efforts on a specific set of target accounts, rather than a broader audience. Email marketing can be an effective way to support an ABM strategy, as it allows you to send targeted messages to specific individuals or groups within your target accounts. Here are some best practices for using email marketing in an ABM strategy:

  1. Segment your email list: To make your email marketing efforts more effective, you should segment your email list into smaller groups based on factors such as job title, industry, company size, or location. This will allow you to send more targeted and relevant messages to each segment.

  2. Personalize your emails: Personalization is key when it comes to ABM, and email marketing is no exception. Use personalization tags to insert the recipient's name, company name, or other relevant information into your emails. This can help to make your emails feel more personalized and increase their effectiveness.

  3. Use data to inform your messaging: ABM is all about targeting specific accounts and individuals, so it's important to use data to inform your messaging. Use data about your target accounts to understand their needs and challenges, and use this information to craft targeted and relevant emails.

  4. Test and optimize your emails: As with any marketing strategy, it's important to test and optimize your emails to ensure they are as effective as possible. Use A/B testing to compare different subject lines, email formats, or calls to action, and use the results to continually improve your emails.

  5. Integrate your email marketing with other channels: Email marketing should be just one part of your overall ABM strategy. Consider integrating your email marketing efforts with other channels such as social media, direct mail, or events to create a more comprehensive and effective campaign.

Case studies of successful email marketing in an ABM context

ABM is a strategic approach to marketing that focuses on targeted, personalized outreach to specific accounts or companies, rather than targeting a wider audience with more general messaging. Email marketing can be an effective part of an ABM campaign, allowing companies to build relationships with key decision makers and drive conversions by delivering personalized, relevant content to their inboxes.

Here are a few examples of successful email marketing in an ABM context:

  1. Personalized subject lines: A personalized subject line can help increase the likelihood that the recipient will open the email. For example, a subject line that mentions the recipient's name or company can be more effective than a generic subject line.

  2. Targeted content: In an ABM context, it's important to deliver content that is relevant and valuable to the specific accounts or individuals you are targeting. This could include industry-specific insights, case studies, or solutions to problems that the recipient's company is facing.

  3. Segmented email lists: In an ABM campaign, it's important to segment your email lists so that you are sending relevant content to the right people. For example, you might create separate lists for different industries or job titles, and tailor your messaging accordingly.

  4. A/B testing: A/B testing can help you determine the most effective email marketing strategies for your ABM campaign. For example, you might test different subject lines or email templates to see which ones lead to the highest open and click-through rates.

  5. Integration with other marketing channels: Email marketing can be most effective when it is integrated with other marketing channels, such as social media and paid advertising. By using a omnichannel approach, you can reach your target audience in multiple ways and increase the chances of converting them into customers.

Common challenges and pitfalls to avoid in using email marketing for ABM

There are several common challenges and pitfalls to avoid when using email marketing for ABM.

  1. Targeting the wrong accounts: It is important to carefully identify and target the right accounts for your ABM campaign. This means understanding the needs and goals of the individuals and companies you are targeting and tailoring your messaging and content to meet those needs.

  2. Failing to personalize emails: Personalization is crucial in ABM, as it helps to establish a connection with the recipient and show that you understand their specific needs and challenges. Be sure to include personalized subject lines, greeting, and content in your emails.

  3. Sending too many emails: It is important to strike a balance when it comes to the frequency of your emails. Sending too many emails can be overwhelming and may lead to recipients unsubscribing or ignoring your messages. On the other hand, sending too few emails may not be enough to keep your company top of mind.

  4. Not segmenting your email list: Segmenting your email list allows you to send targeted, relevant messages to different groups of recipients. This can help to increase the effectiveness of your emails and improve the chances of conversion.

  5. Neglecting email design and formatting: The design and formatting of your emails can have a big impact on their effectiveness. Make sure to use an attractive, professional-looking design and pay attention to layout, font size and color, and other formatting elements.

  6. Not testing and optimizing emails: It is important to regularly test and optimize your emails to ensure that they are effective. This can involve testing different subject lines, content, and calls to action to see which ones perform the best.

By avoiding these common challenges and pitfalls, you can increase the effectiveness of your email marketing efforts and achieve better results in your ABM campaign.

Tips and strategies for continuously improving email marketing results in an ABM context

In an ABM context, email marketing can be a powerful tool for targeting specific accounts and individuals within those accounts. Here are some tips and strategies for continuously improving your email marketing results in an ABM context:

  1. Personalize your emails: Use the data you have on your target accounts and individuals to tailor the content and messaging of your emails to their specific interests and needs. This can help improve the relevancy and effectiveness of your emails.

  2. Segment your email list: Divide your email list into smaller groups based on characteristics such as industry, company size, or location. This allows you to send more targeted, relevant emails to each segment, which can improve engagement and conversion rates.

  3. Test and optimize: Use A/B testing to try out different subject lines, email content, and calls-to-action to see what works best. Regularly analyzing and refining your email marketing efforts can help improve results over time.

  4. Use automation: Automation tools can help you streamline your email marketing efforts and improve efficiency. For example, you can use automation to trigger emails based on specific actions or events, such as when a recipient clicks a link or visits your website.

  5. Integrate email with other marketing channels: To maximize the impact of your email marketing efforts, consider integrating them with other marketing channels such as social media, paid advertising, and in-person events. This can help you reach your target accounts and individuals across multiple touchpoints and strengthen your overall ABM strategy.

Summary

Email marketing can be a powerful tool for driving engagement and conversion in an ABM strategy. To effectively use email marketing in an ABM strategy, it's important to first identify and segment your target accounts. This allows you to tailor your messaging and content to the specific needs and interests of each account.

Once you have identified and segmented your target accounts, you can use email marketing to nurture leads and build relationships with key decision makers at those accounts. This can involve sending targeted emails with relevant content, such as case studies or whitepapers, as well as personalizing your emails to address the specific needs and challenges of each account.

Another key element of using email marketing in an ABM strategy is tracking and analyzing the performance of your emails. This can help you identify which emails are resonating with your target accounts and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Overall, email marketing can be an effective way to drive engagement and conversion in an ABM strategy, as long as it is targeted, personalized, and data-driven. By following these best practices, you can effectively use email marketing to nurture leads and build relationships with key decision makers at your target accounts.

Want to target individual accounts using personalization? Try Markettailor for free.


Related posts

The difference between account-based marketing and inbound marketing

As a business owner or marketer, you have likely heard of both account-based marketing (ABM) and inbound marketing. These two strategies can seem similar at first glance, but they actually have some key differences that set them apart. Understanding these differences is crucial if you want to...

Read more

The role of account-based marketing in market positioning

As companies strive to stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace, many are turning to account-based marketing (ABM) as a way to differentiate themselves and position their brand effectively. ABM is a targeted marketing approach that focuses on key accounts and personalizes outreach to...

Read more