For social enterprises, effective communication is key to building trust, mobilizing supporters, and increasing impact. While social media and digital ads grab attention, email marketing remains the most reliable and cost-effective way to engage your audience consistently.
With an ROI of $42 for every $1 spent, email marketing helps social enterprises build relationships, nurture supporters, and drive conversions—whether that means sales, donations, or advocacy actions.
At BrandsBeCause, we help mission-driven businesses develop and optimize email marketing strategies that foster engagement, grow communities, and amplify impact. This guide will walk you through how to create a high-performing email marketing strategy for your social enterprise.
Why Email Marketing is Essential for Social Enterprises
Unlike social media, where algorithms control visibility, email marketing gives you direct access to your audience’s inbox.
✔ Higher Engagement – Emails are 5x more likely to be seen than social media posts.
✔ Stronger Relationships – Personalized emails increase trust and loyalty.
✔ Cost-Effective Marketing – The highest ROI of any digital marketing channel.
✔ Automated Outreach – Saves time while keeping supporters engaged.
✔ Ownership of Your Audience – You control your email list, unlike social media followers.
💡 Pro Tip: Social enterprises that use email marketing effectively see a 78% increase in supporter retention.
Step 1: Build and Grow Your Email List
A high-quality email list is the foundation of a successful email marketing strategy. Focus on attracting engaged, mission-aligned subscribers rather than just growing your list.
How to Attract More Email Subscribers
✔ Create a Compelling Lead Magnet: Offer a free resource (ebook, checklist, webinar) in exchange for an email signup.
✔ Use Opt-In Forms on Your Website: Add sign-up forms to your homepage, blog posts, and donation pages.
✔ Leverage Social Media: Promote your email newsletter on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
✔ Run Contests & Giveaways: Encourage people to subscribe for a chance to win exclusive perks.
✔ Host Webinars or Events: Collect emails through event registration forms.
💡 Pro Tip: Offer a welcome gift (discount, freebie, or impact report) to incentivize sign-ups.
Step 2: Segment Your Audience for Personalized Messaging
Not all subscribers are the same. Segmentation allows you to send targeted emails that resonate with different groups.
How to Segment Your Email List
✔ New Subscribers: Welcome emails introducing your mission and impact.
✔ Active Donors or Customers: Personalized thank-you emails and impact updates.
✔ Lapsed Supporters: Re-engagement emails with exclusive content or offers.
✔ Volunteers & Ambassadors: Updates on new campaigns, events, and opportunities.
💡 Pro Tip: Segmented email campaigns lead to a 760% increase in revenue compared to generic emails.
Step 3: Craft Engaging & High-Converting Emails
An email that isn’t opened or read won’t make an impact. To keep subscribers engaged, your emails should be concise, visually appealing, and action-driven.
Best Practices for Writing Effective Emails
✔ Compelling Subject Lines: Keep it short (6-10 words) and intriguing.
✔ Personalization: Use the recipient’s first name and past interactions.
✔ Strong Storytelling: Share impact stories, testimonials, and success updates.
✔ Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Make it easy to donate, sign up, or share.
✔ Mobile-Friendly Design: Over 60% of emails are opened on mobile devices.
💡 Pro Tip: Subject lines with urgency or curiosity (e.g., “Your Impact Report is Here!”) get higher open rates.
Step 4: Automate Email Campaigns for Maximum Engagement
Automation saves time while keeping supporters engaged. Set up automated workflows to nurture relationships at every stage.
Essential Email Automation Sequences for Social Enterprises
✔ Welcome Email Series: Introduce new subscribers to your mission and encourage engagement.
✔ Fundraising & Donation Follow-Ups: Send automated thank-you emails and impact updates.
✔ Event Reminders & Follow-Ups: Increase attendance and post-event engagement.
✔ Re-engagement Campaigns: Bring inactive subscribers back with personalized outreach.
💡 Pro Tip: Use HubSpot, Zoho, or Mailchimp to create automation sequences that drive ongoing engagement.
Step 5: Track Performance & Optimize Your Email Strategy
Monitor key metrics to identify what works and improve future campaigns.
Key Email Marketing Metrics to Track
✔ Open Rate: Measures how many recipients open your email. (Ideal: 20-30%)
✔ Click-Through Rate (CTR): Tracks link clicks within your email. (Ideal: 2-5%)
✔ Conversion Rate: Measures how many subscribers take action (donate, register, etc.).
✔ Unsubscribe Rate: Identifies whether your content is relevant or too frequent.
💡 Pro Tip: A/B test different subject lines, CTAs, and email formats to see what resonates best with your audience.
How BrandsBeCause Helps Social Enterprises Maximize Email Marketing
At BrandsBeCause, we help mission-driven businesses develop high-impact email marketing strategies that engage supporters, increase donations, and amplify impact.
Our Email Marketing Services Include:
✔ Email List Growth & Lead Generation – Building a targeted, high-quality subscriber base.
✔ Automated Email Sequences – Setting up drip campaigns, welcome series, and donor follow-ups.
✔ Content & Copywriting – Crafting engaging, mission-driven email campaigns.
✔ Performance Tracking & Optimization – Improving open rates, engagement, and conversions.
✔ Integration with CRM & Marketing Platforms – Syncing email marketing with HubSpot, Zoho, and Salesforce.
💡 Pro Tip: Many social enterprises underutilize email automation—we help you set up strategic email workflows that increase efficiency and engagement.
Final Thoughts: Email Marketing as a Powerful Tool for Social Enterprises
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways for social enterprises to build relationships, inspire action, and drive long-term impact. By focusing on segmentation, automation, storytelling, and optimization, your organization can turn subscribers into loyal supporters and brand advocates.
At BrandsBeCause, we help purpose-driven organizations create email marketing strategies that connect, engage, and convert. Whether you’re looking to grow your email list, automate campaigns, or improve engagement, we’ve got you covered.
📞 Ready to elevate your email marketing strategy? Book a free consultation today and let’s build email campaigns that drive impact!
