BACK
Is Email Marketing Dead?
Taylor Tunnison • July 22, 2022

Over recent decades, marketing strategies have evolved in many ways. They’ve shifted from traditional methods like print and radio to digital approaches such as websites, Google Ads, SEO, and social media. As more people spend more time online, these new approaches tend to overwhelmingly outperform their predecessors. Even so, email is sometimes overlooked and even neglected. Many people still ask us, “Is email marketing dead?” Honestly, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

What Is Email Marketing?

Anyone who uses the internet is familiar with electronic mail aka email. It’s been around for decades, and billions of people now use it regularly. Email addresses allow users to view online content, access banking services, play video games, participate in forums, and communicate with friends or family members. It’s nearly impossible to imagine the 21st century without it.


Simply put, email marketing is the use of email to promote a business and its products or services. However, that’s only one small part of the picture because modern email platforms are so incredibly flexible. Many of them provide innovative features like automation, data analytics, and ecommerce integration. Plus, marketers are always trying to avoid negative spam complaints, which encourages them to provide value and original content as often as possible.


Believe it or not, email marketing is one of the most consistently scrutinized digital channels. Some are quick to declare it outdated, arguing that a majority of daily deliveries are considered spam and therefore ignored entirely. Those in the know, however, understand that email marketing is very much alive and well.

Email is Everywhere

Most adults (and many teenagers) have access to at least one email address. In fact, over 50% of the global population currently uses email for one reason or another. Many are even willing to share their address in exchange for something they want, which incentivizes companies to produce exclusive digital content.


Many people spend multiple hours a day checking their email inboxes. In fact, according to the 2019 Adobe Email Usage Study, the average consumer spends about five hours a day checking work and personal emails. Though this is slightly less in than previous years, it shows how important email still is to modern life. Given that over half the world’s population now accesses the internet on a daily basis, email is likely to stick around for some time.


With over 4 billion users receiving over 300 billion emails in 2020, companies can use this channel to meet consumers where they already are. And where most people already are is their smartphone. It turns out that in 2020, over half of all worldwide web traffic came from mobile devices. Furthermore, over 40% of all emails were opened on mobile devices, 29% of which on iPhones alone.


It’s worth noting that nearly 30% of global email traffic is truly classified as spam. However, this percentage continues to fall steadily from year to year. Carefully crafted marketing campaigns avoid spam complaints by engaging audiences directly and creating specific content for different demographics. When executed correctly, email marketing often translates to more website traffic, improved customer satisfaction, and an exceptional return on investment.

Plenty of Practical Platforms

Email applications remain a core component of effective digital marketing campaigns. Plenty of free and paid options are available, from Mailchimp and Constant Contact to integrated customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. These platforms are generally intuitive and user-friendly, and many also offer a wide variety of powerful integrations.


Data collection is a notable benefit of many modern email marketing platforms. An understanding of open rate, read rate, and click-through rate helps companies get the most out of each and every campaign. These metrics tend to be easy to assess, and they provide teams valuable insights into their audiences’ actions. Learning what does and doesn’t draw attention is one of the best things about email marketing. Something as simple as changing a subject line or including an appealing image can significantly affect the end result.


Automation is an absolute gamechanger when it comes to email platforms. It allows markets to scale their campaigns almost endlessly while remaining efficient over time. For instance, imagine having to manually type out the first name of every single contact in your email list. There’s just no way this is reasonable, even with a few dozen contacts. Automation allows emails to be effortlessly populated with everything from greetings and phone numbers to addresses and company names. Many CRMs can also schedule emails to send automatically if a user clicks a link, abandons an online shopping cart, or doesn’t respond before a certain amount of time passes.


It's easy to find an email marketing platform that fits your unique needs and budget. Some even offer a free option up to a certain number of contacts or monthly messages. Otherwise, various paid subscription plans allow you to scale your email marketing efforts with ease.

Ridiculous Return on Investment

The world’s first email campaign launched in 1978. Sent to only 400 Arpanet (pre-internet) machines, this promotion generated about $13 million in sales, worth nearly $60 million today. Though competition is now much higher and attention far more difficult to grab, email marketing can still provide companies a significant return on investment (ROI).


There’s no on-size-fits-all approach to digital marketing. However, email is an effective way for entrepreneurs and small businesses to promote themselves on a tight budget. It takes some skill and attention to detail, but with time, email marketing campaigns can generate incredible results.


According to Campaign Monitor, the average ROI for email marketing in 2016 was calculated at 4400%, or $44 in revenue for every dollar spent. It did this, in part, by producing more conversions than social media marketing. Also, automated emails generated over 300% more revenue than their non-automated counterparts. The best part is that marketers can easily gather, efficiently organize, and strategically interact with their email contacts at little cost.


There are many strategies for boosting email marketing ROI. For instance, Litmus reported that A/B testing may increase email ROI by as much as 82%. They also found that personalized emails are 50% more likely to be opened, and birthday emails generate over three times more revenue than standard promotional emails. Furthermore, third-party analytics tools may also boost ROI by up to 16%.


Given how profitable email is, it’s no wonder that 94% of marketers consider it to be among their top 3 most effective marketing channels. Those that don’t take advantage of email put themselves at a disadvantage against competitors who do. The truth is email marketing is simply too profitable for most companies to ignore for long.

Email Marketing Is Alive and Well

When anyone asks, “Is email marketing dead?”, confidently assure them that it’s healthier than ever. A majority of successful companies use emails to deliver targeted, branded content, engage directly with audiences, as well as drive awareness, website traffic, conversions, and revenue.


If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of email marketing for your business, or you need some helpful tips, then please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us. We can help you create content, schedule high-quality campaigns, and track progress every step of the way. Our team looks forward to helping you shift your marketing into the digital age today.


Originally published on August 13, 2021

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

May 19, 2025
Trends, Tools & Tactics for a Winning Strategy In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, staying ahead of the curve is essential—especially when it comes to social media. In 2025, platforms are smarter, audiences are more selective, and content must be more strategic than ever. Whether you’re a startup or an established company, here’s how to master social media marketing in 2025 and stay competitive. 1. Embrace Short-Form Video as a Core Strategy Short-form video continues to dominate across platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. It’s not just trendy—it’s effective. Brands using video content in their social media strategy are seeing better reach, higher engagement, and stronger brand recall. Pro Tip: Keep videos authentic, mobile-optimized, and aligned with your brand voice. 2. Use AI and Automation Without Losing the Human Touch AI tools are reshaping content marketing—from auto-generating captions to predicting the best times to post. But in 2025, success depends on blending automation with genuine storytelling. AI-driven tools can now analyze user behavior to recommend the best posting times, tailor content to specific audience segments, and even generate video scripts or image suggestions. These tools reduce manual workload and increase the speed of campaign execution—allowing teams to stay agile in a fast-moving landscape. But with all this innovation, there's a caveat: authenticity matters more than ever. Audiences in 2025 can spot generic or robotic content a mile away. The most successful brands are those that use AI to enhance creativity, not replace it. 3. Go Beyond Likes: Prioritize Conversions and Commerce Social media is now a key driver of sales—not just brand awareness. In-app shopping , product tagging, and clickable video content are transforming platforms into storefronts. We help businesses set up and optimize paid social advertising campaigns that are designed to convert, not just attract followers. 4. Diversify Platforms—But Be Strategic Different platforms offer different strengths—Instagram excels at visual storytelling, LinkedIn is ideal for professional thought leadership, and TikTok thrives on entertainment and discovery. Rather than stretching your resources thin by being everywhere at once, focus on building a strong presence where your target audience is most engaged. Then, tailor your content to match the tone, format, and behavior of users on each platform for maximum impact. 5. Data Is the New Creative Your content might be captivating, but if it’s not supported by data, it’s a shot in the dark. A successful social media marketing strategy in 2025 requires the ability to measure performance and adapt quickly. Social platforms now offer advanced analytics that go beyond likes and shares. These analytics offer helpful insights that can help identify: The best days and times to post Top-performing content themes Efficient ad spending options Top trends Goals tied to business outcomes Ready to Elevate Your Brand’s Social Presence? In 2025, success on social media requires more than just being active—it takes intention, creativity, and data-driven execution. Let True North Technologies help you turn your social platforms into a growth engine. Contact us today to schedule a call and start mastering your social media presence.
By Rachel Hayden March 11, 2025
As we begin 2025, businesses must adapt to new trends and challenges of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as it continues to become more relevant. Whether you're running a small startup or an established company, a robust SEO strategy is no longer optional—it’s essential.  Here’s why your business needs a strong SEO strategy in 2025: 1. Increased Competition in the Digital Space As more businesses invest in online marketing, the digital marketplace is becoming increasingly crowded. In 2025, there will be even more companies vying for attention across search engines, social media platforms, and beyond. SEO is the key to standing out. A well-executed SEO strategy helps ensure that your website ranks higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) , making it more likely that potential customers will find your business before they find your competitors. 2. Google’s Algorithm Updates Keep Changing Google's algorithms are constantly evolving to provide users with the most relevant, high-quality search results. In 2025, it’s expected that Google will continue to refine its ranking system with updates focusing on user intent, mobile-first indexing, and even more advanced AI-based algorithms. A strong SEO strategy helps businesses keep up with these changes and ensures that their website is optimized for each update, preventing a drop in rankings. 3. User Experience (UX) Will Be More Important Than Ever Google has increasingly emphasized the importance of a positive user experience as a ranking factor. In 2025, factors like site speed, mobile optimization, easy navigation, and relevant content will continue to play a crucial role in determining where your site ranks. A strong SEO strategy focuses not only on keyword optimization but also on creating a seamless and user-friendly experience for visitors, helping to keep users engaged and coming back for more. 4. Voice Search and AI Will Dominate With the rise of voice search through smart devices like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, optimizing for voice search will be more important than ever. As people ask questions in a more conversational tone, businesses must adapt their SEO strategies to include long-tail keywords and natural language. Additionally, AI advancements will make personalized search results the norm, making it essential to provide high-quality, relevant content tailored to your audience's needs. 5. SEO Provides Long-Term Results Unlike paid advertising, SEO offers long-term benefits that compound over time. While ads can deliver instant results, SEO can generate organic traffic that steadily increases as your website climbs the search rankings. In 2025, a strong SEO strategy will provide your business with sustained growth, ensuring that your content continues to be discoverable and valuable to your target audience. 6. Local SEO is Key for Small and Medium Businesses For small and medium-sized businesses , local SEO will remain one of the most effective ways to connect with customers in your area. In 2025, local search queries are expected to grow, as users seek businesses near them. Claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile, ensuring your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information is consistent, and generating positive customer reviews will be essential components of your local SEO strategy. 7. Content Marketing and SEO Go Hand-in-Hand Content marketing and SEO are a dynamic duo that, when paired together, can create powerful results. As search engines continue to prioritize high-quality, relevant content, having an SEO strategy that aligns with your content marketing efforts will help you rank higher and connect with your target audience. In 2025, content creation will be more than just producing blog posts—it will involve creating videos, infographics, and podcasts that serve your audience’s needs while being optimized for search. 8. The Shift Towards Mobile-First In 2025, mobile-first indexing will be more important than ever. With the growing reliance on smartphones and tablets, Google primarily uses the mobile version of your site to determine rankings. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re likely missing out on valuable traffic. A strong SEO strategy ensures that your website is optimized for mobile, offering users a seamless browsing experience no matter what device they’re on. 9. Measurable ROI One of the biggest advantages of SEO is that its results are trackable and measurable. You can monitor the success of your SEO strategy by tracking key metrics like organic traffic, bounce rate, conversion rates, and keyword rankings. With the right tools and analytics in place, you can clearly see how your SEO efforts are impacting your bottom line, making it easier to adjust strategies as needed to maximize results. 10. SEO Builds Trust and Credibility Trust is a key factor in customer decision-making. Websites that rank well in search engines are often perceived as more credible and trustworthy. A strong SEO strategy not only focuses on ranking but also on providing value through helpful, informative, and well-crafted content. By demonstrating expertise and addressing customer needs, you can build trust with your audience, increasing the likelihood of conversions and brand loyalty. Stay Relevant With SEO As we enter 2025, SEO will continue to be one of the most valuable tools for businesses looking to succeed in a competitive digital landscape. A solid SEO strategy ensures that your business stays relevant, competitive, and visible to potential customers. Whether you’re looking to improve your website’s user experience, capitalize on local SEO, or build a content marketing plan, now is the time to invest in SEO for long-term growth and success. If you’re looking to get started or optimize your existing SEO strategy, True North Technologies is here to help. Contact us today to learn how we can help you grow your online presence and achieve measurable results!
By Rachel Hayden March 6, 2025
With billions of users online, brands are constantly fighting for attention. Consumers are bombarded with ads, emails, and social media content every day, making it harder than ever to break through the noise. So, how can businesses stand out and create lasting impressions? The answer lies in authentic connections—building real relationships with your audience instead of just selling to them. At True North Technologies, we believe that digital marketing is more than just clicks and conversions; it’s about creating meaningful interactions that foster trust, loyalty, and long-term success. Here’s why authentic connections matter in digital marketing. 1. Consumers Crave Realness Today’s consumers are savvier than ever. They can spot a generic ad or sales pitch from a mile away, and they’re not easily swayed by overly polished, impersonal messaging. Instead, they gravitate toward brands that feel genuine, relatable, and human. One of the best ways to showcase authenticity is through organic content —unpaid, value-driven posts that highlight your brand’s personality, mission, and customer experiences. By using organic messaging, behind-the-scenes content, and real customer experiences, businesses can create a sense of transparency and trust—two factors that are essential for building strong relationships. Whether it’s through social media, email marketing, or paid advertising, your messaging should feel personal, not robotic. 2. Trust Leads to Loyalty Trust is the foundation of any successful brand. When customers feel like they know and understand a brand, they’re more likely to engage, buy, and advocate for it. But trust isn’t built overnight—it requires consistent, honest communication. One way to establish credibility is by showcasing user-generated content (UGC) and real customer testimonials. When potential customers see others sharing positive experiences with your brand, they’re more likely to believe in your product or service. Additionally, responding to comments, reviews, and messages in a thoughtful and authentic way reinforces that you value your audience’s voice. 3. Authenticity Improves Engagement People engage with content that resonates with them emotionally. Authentic digital marketing doesn’t just tell people what they want to hear—it speaks to their values, interests, and pain points. This is why brands that embrace organic content see higher engagement rates across digital platforms. Unlike paid ads, organic content allows brands to connect with their audience in a more natural way. Sharing stories, educational content, and interactive posts creates a two-way conversation that keeps followers engaged. Brands that humanize their messaging by sharing behind-the-scenes content, team highlights, or even admitting mistakes (and showing how they’ve improved) foster deeper emotional connections. Simon Sinek's "Golden Circle" concept can be particularly helpful here. By focusing on why your brand exists before explaining what you do and how you do it, you’ll establish a deeper emotional connection with your audience. Consumers are more likely to engage with a brand that shares its purpose and values, rather than simply promoting a product or service. 4. Personalization Enhances the Customer Experience Personalized marketing is another way to create authentic connections with your audience. People don’t want to feel like just another number in your sales funnel; they want to feel like they matter. Using data-driven insights , brands can craft highly relevant content tailored to individual preferences and behaviors. Whether it’s through personalized email campaigns, dynamic website content, or targeted digital ads, brands that speak directly to their audience’s needs create stronger, more meaningful relationships. 5. Authentic Brands Stand the Test of Time Trends come and go, but authenticity never goes out of style. Brands that prioritize real, human connections don’t just gain customers—they build communities. By fostering long-term relationships instead of focusing solely on short-term gains, businesses can create sustainable growth and brand loyalty that lasts for years. At True North Technologies , we help brands craft authentic digital marketing strategies that go beyond surface-level tactics. From social media and content marketing to paid digital advertising, we focus on creating real connections that drive real results. Ready to Build Authentic Connections? If you’re looking to elevate your digital marketing strategy with authenticity at its core, we’re here to help. Let’s create a marketing approach that feels human, builds trust, and drives lasting success. Contact us today to get started!