iGB Affiliate 63 June/July | Page 59

INSIGHT Segment, segment, and segment again Not all Millennial recipients are created equal. Every one of your prospects will come from different avenues, subscription sources and have certain criteria that make them entirely unique. It is crucial that you build segmented lists and make those segments as detailed as possible. This can be done in a number of ways, but perhaps the easiest avenue of going about this segmentation process is at the source of signup. With every campaign, a new list should be created. This might seem like overkill, but the reality is that each campaign — its structure, content, offer, and all other aspects included — will generate unique leads that exhibit unique traits. In order to drive up response rates to your email campaigns, you’ll want to customise them as extensively as possible, and that means segmenting your lists into as many detailed groups as possible. There might be crossover, but creating offers that are designed for specific groups means that even if an email address is repeated, the recipient won’t be seeing the same offer or product in your email, and that both of the campaigns in question will be tailored to a particular trait of that user, exhibited based on when he or she provided their email to you. Personalise the content Personalisation relates closely to that segmentation process, and it is a key strategy you’ll want to employ if you intend to pique the interest of a Millennial base. As you create new lists, describe them in as much detail as possible. Note some of the key reasons why a subscriber is providing you with their information. Is it because you are offering something for a limited time, or a bonus? Maybe you’re promoting a particular game or operator. Whatever the case is, clearly define the reason a list exists, then create content tailored to that defining quality. Even though email is a personalised space, and one that Millennials are more receptive to, don’t as sume that they’re going to be paying attention to every single email that comes across their screen or mobile device. Your segmented lists tell you about the kinds of subscribers you’re reaching. Use that to your advantage by ensuring that the emails making their way to a particular list member’s inbox are read and action is taken. cried wolf. Eventually, your email address will become synonymous with spam, even if it still manages to make its way into a user’s inbox. Moreover, there will be little to no incentive to click on a link or redeem an offer, since it will always be assumed that another one is right around the corner. Create an editorial calendar and stick to it. Share offers sporadically and keep your audience on its toes, waiting to redeem that next one. The response in cases like this, where you’re more interested in sharing something of value “It might seem like email has gone the way of the dodo (or Myspace) but it is still a hugely viable marketing platform” Provide undeniable value Another reason why your emails might not be generating the results you want is simply because they’re not providing recipients with a tangible value. If you want to see results from a Millennial audience when it comes to email marketing, value is the key to your success. It is also important to remember that value comes in many forms. You might be providing tangible value in the form of an offer or monetary incentive. That’s an easy one to showcase. It’s a short-term value that might generate a one-time response from your audience. For long-term loyalty, the value might be in the form of knowledge or insider information. Sharing tips or information made available only to subscribers is a key means of showcasing value and developing lasting relationships with Millennials, so be sure to sprinkle those elements into the mix whenever possible. Share when necessary When operators or affiliates inundate a recipient’s inbox with offer after offer, the situation becomes one of the boy who than sharing something every day, will yield significantly greater results. It might seem like email has gone the way of the dodo (or Myspace) but it is still a hugely viable marketing platform. If you can put together a value-oriented strategy that connects with Millennials on a personal level based on their expressed interests and behaviours, you’ll be in a good position to drive significant results from your email initiatives. COREY PADVEEN has an extensive background in econometrics and statistics, and is a partner at t2 Marketing International. He has worked on some of the most innovative Millennial-oriented campaigns for both online and bricks-and-mortar operators, speaks on his work and research at events around the world, and is a member of a number of gambling and Millennial-facing advisory boards. He is also the author of Marketing to Millennials For Dummies, which is part of the renowned For Dummies series. iGB Affiliate Issue 63 JUN/JUL 2017 55