4 tips for helping your email marketing team stay organized

The U.S. elections are finally over, and you’re knee-deep in organizing your Thanks/Friendsgiving while executing on your holiday strategy. Despite your busy schedule, you’ve taken a few minutes to expand your horizons, and that’s commendable.

Feeling overwhelmed? I understand. With years of experience helping companies navigate this time of year successfully, I have some valuable advice to share.

Have your key information on instant recall

My primary mantra is “Strategy over tactics.” To achieve this, you must get organized. A system and tools that allow you to plan and execute effectively are essential. Having key information readily available is crucial for keeping your team informed in meetings or conversations with stakeholders.

When you are organized, you have information at near-instant recall, which enhances your professionalism. Keeping track of all the information can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared.

Organization not only fosters professionalism but also elevates the perception of your email program. It demonstrates that email should be respected as a critical revenue-generating tool.

Email, often perceived as a lightweight operation, is actually vital for revenue. Being organized and ready to report on email performance at any time is essential for business professionals.

Having your key numbers readily available is a mark of professionalism. It shows that you are on top of your game and boosts your credibility within the organization.

1. Have a daily stand-up meeting

Surprisingly, adding a daily meeting can enhance productivity. Daily stand-up meetings help keep teams on track during tight deadlines and major projects. These short, focused catch-up sessions were a common practice during the holiday season in my retail days.

Allocating just 15 minutes for team members to report on past, present, and future tasks fosters accountability and keeps everyone informed. Assign someone to take notes and circulate a quick update memo after the meeting for everyone’s reference.

Pick up the phone

Often, problems can be solved by a simple phone call. In times of high stress, when emails may get lost, picking up the phone can be more effective in resolving issues.

2. Keep a spreadsheet close by

Maintain an email eyes-only dashboard with updated KPIs every morning. Memorize these numbers so you can recall them instantly when needed. Referring to your spreadsheet with the phrase “As of this morning” adds to your organized persona.

Visual aids like Gantt charts can be invaluable during busy seasons, helping you stay organized and communicate effectively with your team and stakeholders.

3. Put Google Docs to work for your team

Create an internal document or Slack channel where team members can share ideas, feedback, and learnings. This raw input can be synthesized later to improve processes and programs.

4. Cancel ‘The boss knows everything’ syndrome

Communication starts with humility. Encouraging collaboration and seeking input from your team members creates a more approachable atmosphere. Acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers fosters a culture of shared responsibility and innovation.

Wrapping up

Staying organized is crucial for marketers during high-stress periods. It allows you to stay updated on numbers, priorities, and overall progress, benefiting not just your current role but also future endeavors.

Investing time in creating and maintaining organizational tools can pave the way for success in your career. Building a strong foundation of knowledge and insights over time is essential for personal and professional growth.

Now, back to your Thanks/Friendsgiving plans!

Contributing authors are invited to create content for MarTech and are chosen for their expertise and contribution to the martech community. The opinions expressed are their own.