Tags are non-hierarchical keywords or labels that you assign to subscribers in your email marketing platform or CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. They provide a flexible and powerful way to categorize, organize, and segment your audience based on various criteria, allowing you to deliver more targeted and relevant messaging. Unlike folders or lists, which require subscribers to be placed in only one category, tags allow you to assign multiple labels to a single subscriber, providing much greater granularity and flexibility.
How Tags Work:
Tags are essentially metadata associated with each subscriber. You can apply tags manually or automatically based on subscriber behavior, demographics, or other criteria. Once tags are applied, you can use them to:
- Segment your audience: Create targeted email campaigns that are sent only to subscribers with specific tags.
- Automate email sequences: Trigger automated email sequences based on the application of certain tags.
- Track subscriber behavior: Analyze which tags are most common among different subscriber groups to gain insights into their interests and preferences.
- Personalize communications: Use tags to personalize email content or subject lines.
- Manage subscriber data: Use tags to filter and search for specific subscribers within your list.
Examples of Tag Usage:
- Purchase History: Tag subscribers based on the products they have purchased (e.g., “PurchasedProductA,” “PurchasedProductB”).
- Website Behavior: Tag subscribers based on the pages they have visited on your website (e.g., “VisitedPricingPage,” “DownloadedEbook”).
- Lead Source: Tag subscribers based on how they joined your list (e.g., “FacebookAd,” “WebsiteSignup,” “EventSignup”).
- Engagement Level: Tag subscribers based on their email engagement (e.g., “HighlyEngaged,” “InactiveSubscriber”).
- Interests and Preferences: Tag subscribers based on their stated or inferred interests (e.g., “InterestedInGardening,” “InterestedInCooking”).
- Lead Stage: Tag subscribers based on where they are in the sales funnel (e.g., “Prospect,” “Lead,” “Customer”).
- Demographics: Tag subscribers based on demographic information (e.g., “Age 25-34,” “LocatedInCalifornia”).
Benefits of Using Tags:
- Granular Segmentation: Tags provide much greater flexibility and granularity in segmentation compared to lists.
- Improved Targeting: By sending targeted messages to specific segments, you can increase engagement, conversions, and ROI.
- Enhanced Automation: Tags can be used to trigger automated email sequences and workflows, saving you time and effort.
- Better Data Management: Tags help you organize and manage your subscriber data more effectively.
- Personalized Communication: Tags can be used to personalize email content and subject lines, making your messages more relevant and engaging.
Examples of Tag-Based Automation:
- A subscriber downloads a lead magnet about email marketing. They are automatically tagged with “InterestedInEmailMarketing,” which triggers an automated email sequence with more advanced email marketing tips.
- A subscriber purchases a product. They are automatically tagged with “PurchasedProductA” and added to a customer loyalty program email list.
- A subscriber clicks on a link in an email about a specific topic. They are automatically tagged with that topic, allowing you to send them more targeted content in the future.
Example of Tag-Based Broadcast:
You want to send a special promotion only to subscribers who have purchased a specific product. You can easily filter your list by the “PurchasedProductA” tag and send a targeted broadcast message to that segment.
Tags are a powerful tool for organizing, segmenting, and managing your audience. By using tags effectively, you can deliver more targeted and relevant messaging, improve engagement, and achieve your marketing goals. They often provide a more dynamic and flexible alternative to managing multiple static lists.