TIP #8: Using Images and Videos in E-Newsletters Sparks Customer Interaction

The time when people turned off the “show images” button in their email is nearly gone. Given the “mobile” days we now live in, and the fact most people thrive on entertainment in everything (even their news), images and videos are not only turned on in e-newsletters they are expected! Think about the most shared posts on social media. They likely have an image or video attached. Think about the e-mail newsletters that you receive. Aren’t they filled with goodies you don’t want to miss? Products, fun facts, world news, life tips, and more are all the norm these days. And considering that snail mail is nearly a thing of the past, coupons, and promotions sent via the internet NEED images and videos to catch at least a few of the billions of sets of eyes that see it. Your company’s e-mail newsletter is probably one of dozens, maybe hundreds, of e-blasts these eyes see every week, so make it worth looking at.

Here are a few simple tips to remember when adding images and videos to your e-newsletters, blogs, and websites:

• Make sure they are the proper size so that you can accurately “wrap” the content around the image. This makes for an easy way to ensure a professional layout and path for the eye to follow.
• Use “alt tags” for all images. For the small percentage of people who still have their images turned off, this will ensure they are not only enticed by the label (tag) you attach to that image, it might just lure them to click to your site.
• Speaking of clicking: Make images and videos link to a helpful page on your site. There is nothing worse when reading an email than to have dead links or no links at all. Be sure to make the link go to a page with info and not just the image. When people click they WANT to know more. It is your invitation within an invitation.

With these 3 easy-to-do tips, you are sure to make every picture (and video) worth a thousand words instead of “oh, there is nothing to see here!” For more helpful articles and tips on image and video usage in marketing and to read the first 7 tips on Successful Website Marketing, visit our blog today. If you would like help creating a successful e-newsletter, contact Strategy today!