What is Sharealike in Email Marketing?
In the context of
email marketing, the term "sharealike" typically refers to the practice of encouraging subscribers to share your email content, often with similar terms and conditions applied to the shared content as the original. This concept is closely related to the
Creative Commons licensing, where content can be shared and reused under specific conditions.
Why is Sharealike Important?
Sharealike is important because it amplifies the reach of your
email campaigns through organic sharing. When subscribers share your content, it can reach a broader audience, potentially leading to higher engagement rates, more subscribers, and increased
brand awareness. Furthermore, it can foster a sense of community and trust among your audience.
Include Social Sharing Buttons: Add
social sharing buttons to your emails, making it easy for subscribers to share your content on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Encourage Forwarding: Explicitly ask your subscribers to forward the email to friends and colleagues who might find the content valuable.
Offer Incentives: Provide rewards or incentives for subscribers who share your content, such as discounts, exclusive content, or entry into a contest.
Use Clear Call-to-Actions: Include
clear call-to-actions (CTAs) that prompt subscribers to share the email. Phrases like "Share this with your network!" or "Forward this email to a friend!" can be effective.
Track Sharing Metrics: Use email marketing tools to track how often your emails are shared. This data can provide insights into what types of content are most shareable.
Benefits of Sharealike in Email Marketing
There are several benefits to incorporating sharealike into your email marketing strategy: Increased Reach: When subscribers share your content, it can reach a wider audience, potentially leading to more
subscribers and customers.
Enhanced Credibility: Content shared by friends or colleagues often carries more weight than content directly from a brand, enhancing your credibility and trustworthiness.
Cost-Effective: Sharealike can be a cost-effective way to increase your reach without additional advertising spend.
Community Building: Encouraging sharing can foster a sense of community among your subscribers, as they feel more involved and valued.
Challenges of Sharealike in Email Marketing
While sharealike has many benefits, it also comes with challenges: Content Control: Once your content is shared, you have less control over how it is used or modified, which could potentially affect your brand image.
Tracking Difficulty: It can be challenging to track the full impact of shared content, as it may be forwarded multiple times or shared on platforms without tracking capabilities.
Message Dilution: The core message of your email may get diluted or lost as it is shared and potentially modified by others.
Best Practices for Sharealike in Email Marketing
To maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges of sharealike, consider these best practices: Create High-Quality Content: Ensure that your content is valuable, relevant, and engaging, increasing the likelihood that subscribers will want to share it.
Use Clear Licensing Terms: If you want to control how your content is shared, use clear licensing terms similar to those used in Creative Commons licenses.
Monitor and Respond: Keep an eye on where and how your content is being shared, and be prepared to respond to any issues or feedback promptly.
Encourage User-Generated Content: Foster a sense of community by encouraging subscribers to create and share their own content related to your brand.