Forwarding Emails - Email Marketing

What is Forwarding Emails?

Forwarding emails in the context of email marketing refers to the action of a recipient sharing your marketing email with another person. This can be done by simply clicking the forward button in their email client. Email forwarding can significantly expand your reach without additional costs, as it leverages your existing subscribers to find new potential customers.

Why is Email Forwarding Important?

Email forwarding is crucial for several reasons:

Viral Marketing: It can turn your email campaign into a viral phenomenon, dramatically increasing your reach.
Trust Factor: Emails forwarded by a trusted friend or colleague are more likely to be opened and read.
Cost-Effective: Leveraging your current subscribers to do some of the marketing for you is both efficient and cost-effective.
Data Collection: It can provide valuable data on what types of content resonate enough to be shared.

How to Encourage Email Forwarding?

Encouraging email forwarding involves a few strategic steps:

Create Compelling Content: High-quality, valuable content is more likely to be shared.
Include a Forwarding Call-to-Action (CTA): Make it easy for your subscribers to forward your emails by including a clear CTA button.
Incentivize Forwarding: Offer incentives like discounts or free resources for those who forward your emails.
Make it Mobile-Friendly: Ensure that your emails are easy to read and forward on mobile devices.

Tracking Forwarded Emails

Tracking forwarded emails can be challenging but is essential for understanding the effectiveness of this strategy:

Unique Links: Use unique tracking links to identify forwarded emails.
Analytics Tools: Utilize email marketing software that offers tracking and analytics features.
Feedback Forms: Include feedback forms asking how the recipient found your email.

Legal Considerations

While encouraging email forwarding, always be aware of legal considerations:

CAN-SPAM Act: Ensure you comply with regulations like the CAN-SPAM Act, which requires clear opt-out options.
GDPR: Be mindful of GDPR regulations if you are dealing with recipients in the EU.
Privacy Policies: Clearly state how you will use the forwarded email addresses in your privacy policy.

Best Practices

To make the most of email forwarding, follow these best practices:

Segment Your Audience: Tailor your content to different segments to increase the likelihood of forwarding.
Test and Optimize: Regularly test different elements of your emails to see what encourages forwarding.
Engage with New Contacts: Follow up with those who receive forwarded emails to convert them into subscribers.
Monitor Metrics: Keep track of open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to gauge success.