GetResponse: 80% of small businesses plan to use video email

There are several new approaches for marketers sticking with tried-and-true options such as display and email. Email, especially, is opening up for greater engagement with new features such as imbedded video and social options. A new survey from Implix's GetResponse indicates that email will become increasingly important to small businesses as we move forward in 2010.

by Kristina Knight

According to the survey 80% of small businesses will implement video email campaigns this year while 90% plan to integrate social media options with traditional email campaigns. Small businesses already using video email report increased conversion rates thanks to the video option.

"We were pleasantly surprised at the major uptick in SMB marketers planning to use video email marketing and social media integration in 2010," said GetResponse Founder Simon Grabowski. "According to our 2009 study, video emails delivered close to a 100 percent increase in click through rates, so we know it works and expected the increase in use. But the 480 percent increase in planned video email use surprised even us!"

Other interesting findings include:

• More than half of respondents found that video email increased click-thrus
• 30% of small businesses believe video 'enhances brand image'
• Small businesses found a 113% increase in link usage from new messages on social networks

Targeting is another hot topic for small businesses with just over half reporting plans to increase personalization and targeting options. Roughly three-quarters of SMB believe behavioral targeting offers at least 'moderate increases' in email effectiveness.

GetResponse surveyed more than 200 small businesses email marketers to arrive at their results.

Tags: email marketing, GetResponse, Implix, social marketing, social sharing, video email