• Economy -> Entrepreneurship and Startups

• 0 Comment

What are some examples of startups that failed to utilize email marketing effectively, and how did this contribute to their downfall?

Damon Wadlow

Email marketing can be a tricky game, and not every startup has hit the ball out of the park when it comes to this marketing strategy. However, some startups have certainly failed at it in spectacular fashion. Let’s take a look at some examples-

1. Color - Once touted as the social media photo-sharing darling, this startup made a few fatal mistakes with its marketing strategy. The company spent a lot of its funds on a Super Bowl commercial instead of focusing on targeted email campaigns. When they did attempt email marketing, they sent out too many emails too frequently, which resulted in high unsubscribe rates.

2. Juicero - This startup’s high-tech juicing device was a sensation, but it failed to deliver on its marketing promises. Instead of building a robust email marketing campaign to attract and retain customers, they went all-in on social media and influencers. Their email marketing efforts were either too infrequent or too pushy, leading to a lack of engagement from subscribers.

3. Secret - This now-defunct startup aimed to create a virtual platform where people could share their secrets and thoughts anonymously. Secret failed to effectively utilize email marketing by not offering a clear value proposition to its subscribers. Instead, it bombarded its email list with generic, uninspired emails, leading to low open rates and high spam complaints.

The downfalls of these startups highlighted a few common mistakes that companies tend to make when it comes to email marketing. Firstly, not having a solid email marketing plan in place is one of the biggest culprits. Relying solely on social media or influencer marketing doesn't cut it. Secondly, bombarding subscribers with too many emails or sending infrequent and irrelevant emails can result in high unsubscribe rates and disengagement from the subscriber base.

Lastly, forgetting to deliver a clear and concise value proposition to subscribers is another common mistake. Subscribers want to know what they'll be getting from your emails and how it will benefit them. Failing to do so leads to low open rates and a lack of engagement.

In conclusion, email marketing is an essential part of any startup's marketing mix. However, like any marketing strategy, it must be executed effectively. Startups must prioritize creating a solid email marketing plan that focuses on subscribers and delivers a clear value proposition. Doing so will not only help avoid the common pitfalls but will also create an engaged subscriber base that is essential for long-term growth and success.