Email blasts have become a retail marketing standard. Email traffic is steadily increasing worldwide, and with that in mind, you may want to prioritize developing a skill for reaching your customers amidst the competition in their inbox.

The most successful apparel stores know what their consumers want and are experts at converting their shop’s values and aesthetic into images and language that compel their clientele. Your own email marketing strategies, however, don't need to be complex to yield results right away.  Starting with simple email marketing ideas, like the five we've listed below, is a great way to start building a strategy that serves your company's unique goals.

1. Hold a flash sale. Flash sales are a great way to inspire action in your potential customers. Offering a substantial discount for a short period of time energizes your customers and propels them to make quick decisions on larger purchases.
2. Feature employee picks. Featuring employee recommendations and tips in your emails gives you the opportunity to set a casual, friendly tone and instill a sense of trust in your customers. Take it a step further by advertising exactly how much of an item you have left in stock to create a sense of urgency and prompt your customers to take action.
3. Host an event. Semi-annual or annual events are a great way to introduce new customers to your store while creating a sense of community within your existing customer base. Here are a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
   • Support your favorite local charity by holding a raffling or donating a portion of proceeds from certain items in your store. Having representatives from the organization can help to build enthusiasm and answer questions.
   • Hold a class or demonstration that features products that you carry. Sharing information is one of the best ways to get customers interested.
   • Consider hosting a pop-up shop at fairs or shows in other locations to build awareness and reach new shoppers.
4. Photos of celebrities sporting your apparel can be a very compelling marketing tactic. Everyone loves the idea of sharing a sense of style with the elite. If you have the opportunity to capitalize on celebrity snapshots that feature this season's picks and styles, take advantage of it!
5. Be flexible and adapt. Not every email marketing strategy will be an immediate success. Remaining flexible and adjusting your marketing according to your results is the most valuable marketing tool that you can have. Learn to evaluate your current strategy and identify what is working and what needs to change. Your marketing strategy should evolve with your customer base.

Remember variety, persistence and adaptability are key components of a successful email marketing campaign.  Once you have determined what works best for your company, rotate your marketing concepts to keep things fresh.  Have some fun with it to keep ideas and inspiration flowing!