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Nailing Email Marketing: Simple Steps to Get It Right

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience, nurture leads, and drive conversions. But with inboxes more crowded than ever, how can you ensure your emails stand out?

Whether you’re new to email marketing or looking to refine your approach, these simple steps will help you get it right.

1. The Obvious One, Know Your Audience

Understanding your target audience is the foundation of a successful email marketing strategy. Before hitting send, ask yourself:

  • Who are your ideal customers?
  • What challenges do they face?
  • How can your emails add value to them?

Segmenting your audience based on interests, behaviour, or past interactions can help you tailor content that resonates.

2. Craft Compelling Subject Lines

Your subject line is the first impression your email makes. A great subject line should:

  • Be concise (under 50 characters is ideal)
  • Create curiosity or urgency
  • Use personalisation where possible (e.g., “John, Don’t Miss Out on This Special Offer!”)
  • Avoid spammy words like “free,” “guaranteed,” or “act now,” as they can trigger spam filters.

3. Focus on Value-Driven Content

Every email you send should have a clear purpose. Instead of just pushing sales, provide value with:

  • Educational tips or industry insights
  • Exclusive offers or early access deals
  • Customer success stories or testimonials

Keep your message short and scannable – use bullet points and bold text to highlight key information.

4. Design for Readability

A cluttered email can lose readers quickly. Stick to a clean, responsive design that looks great on all devices. A few tips include:

  • Using a single-column layout
  • Try simple text-based emails for a more personal feel
  • Adding plenty of white space
  • Keeping CTA (Call-To-Action) buttons clear and easy to click

5. Optimise Send Times

Timing matters. Studies show that emails sent on Tuesday or Thursday mornings tend to perform best. However, testing different days and times will help you determine what works for your audience.

6. Test, Analyse & Improve

Email marketing isn’t a one-and-done effort. Regularly analyse key metrics like:

  • Open rates
  • Click-through rates (CTR)
  • Unsubscribe rates

A/B testing subject lines, CTA buttons, and content structure will help refine your approach over time.

Email Marketing Made Easy with TLC Business

By understanding your audience, crafting engaging content, and continuously testing your emails, you can transform your email marketing strategy into a powerful tool for business growth.

Need help with your email marketing? Call us on 01962 600 147 or email us at info@tlc-business.co.uk for a free virtual marketing ideas session with our experts.

Thinking About Outsourcing Your Marketing? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you run a small or medium-sized business, you already know how important marketing is for getting your name out there, attracting customers, and staying ahead of the competition. But let’s be honest – marketing takes time, expertise, and a whole lot of effort.

Maybe you’ve been trying to juggle it yourself, or you have a small team stretched to the limit. That’s where outsourcing can make a huge difference. But is it the right move for you? Here’s what you need to consider before taking the plunge.

Why Are More SMEs Outsourcing Their Marketing?

1. Saves Time 

Running a business is busy enough without having to manage marketing on top of everything else. Outsourcing lets you focus on what you do best while experts handle the marketing side of things. 

2. Access to Specialists 

Marketing covers a lot—social media, SEO, content, ads, branding… the list goes on. With an outsourced team, you get access to specialists in all these areas without having to hire in-house. 

3. Cost-Effectiveness 

Hiring an in-house team can be expensive when you factor in salaries, training, and tools. Outsourcing gives you the skills and resources you need without the big overheads. 

4. Brings a Fresh Perspective 

Sometimes, being too close to your business makes it hard to see new opportunities. A marketing agency brings fresh ideas, creativity, and an outside perspective to help your brand stand out. 

5. Delivers Measurable Results 

A good agency won’t just ‘do marketing’—they’ll track results, tweak campaigns, and make sure your budget is being spent wisely to get the best return.

What to Think About Before Outsourcing

Before you decide, ask yourself:

What do you actually need? Are you looking for help with social media, email marketing, lead generation, or the full package?

How involved do you want to be? Some businesses want a fully hands-off approach, while others prefer regular input and collaboration.

What’s your budget? Outsourcing can be flexible—you can start small and scale up as needed.

Do they understand your industry? A marketing partner with experience in your field can hit the ground running.

Finding the Right Marketing Partner

Not all agencies are the same, so it’s worth doing your research. Look for:

  • A proven track record – Case studies and client reviews will give you an idea of what they can do.
  • The right mix of services – Make sure they offer what your business actually needs.
  • A cultural fit – It’s easier to work with an agency that gets your values and way of working.
  • Clear communication and reporting – Regular updates and measurable results are key.

Why TLC Business Are Different

At TLC Business, we specialise in helping SMEs grow through smart, tailored marketing strategies – without the fluff or hefty price tag. With over 15 years’ experience working exclusively with SMEs, we have a unique insight into what they need to make their marketing work. We understand the challenges SMEs face, so we keep things practical, cost-effective, and results driven. 

Our personal approach means we take the time to understand your business and create marketing that truly fits. No jargon, no generic strategies – just clear, honest communication and campaigns designed to get real results.

Let’s Chat

Want support with your marketing campaigns? Call us on 01962 600 147 or email us at info@tlc-business.co.uk for a free virtual marketing ideas session with our experts.

September special marketing offer

15% of marketing campaigns this September
September is a crucial month for businesses. Summer is over, the kids are back at school, people have returned from their holidays feeling refreshed and re-focused (we hope!) and everyone starts to focus on that push through to Christmas.

In order to help you make the most of the next 4 months, we are offering businesses a 15% discount on any campaigns booked in September.

TLC Business’ outsourced marketing team are ready to help manage any aspect of your marketing, leaving you and your team free to focus on what you do best in your business.

We can helps with all aspects of your marketing, to generate new business and help grow your organisation, including:

  • USP creation
  • Telemarketing and lead generation
  • Email marketing
  • Design of leaflets, brochures and direct mails.
  • Search engine optimisation.
  • Social media management & article and press release creation and submission.
  • Market research.
  • PR and event management.

Whatever your marketing requirment, our passionate team of experienced marketing experts can achieve the results you require to drive your business forward so this Christmas is a great one!

To help get you started and to show we are confident in our abilities to get results, we are offering a special offer this September of 15% any campaign booked this September*.

So if you want more effective marketing, don’t delay and email Anna at anna@tlc-business.co.uk or call us on 01962 600 150 and claim your 15% discount by quoting ‘Sept15’.

*Offer valid until September 30th.