Everything You Need To Know About First Party Data

In the realm of data, there are several types categorized based on their origin and source and among them first party data is becoming a game changer. Between constantly changing data privacy laws, the ever-present threat of a security breach, and AI evolving at break-neck speed, today’s consumer takes the ownership of their data more seriously than ever before.

In fact, a study by Accenture reported that “87% of consumers believed it was important for companies to safeguard the privacy of their information”.

But how does that track in a world where instant (and personalized) gratification is the norm? How can you get the data you need to offer the quality of service customers want, all while treating their information with the utmost respect?

Fortunately, today’s sales and marketing teams have several channels of communication to work with, each one with its own advantage. And with that comes the opportunity to reach out directly to get a customer’s consent to collect that sweet, sweet 1st party data. Let’s explore the different types of data and assess their relevance to email marketing.

Zero-Party Data

Zero-party data refers to the information that customers voluntarily and explicitly share with a business. This can include preferences, interests, purchase intentions, feedback, and other data provided through surveys, preference centres, or interactions with the brand. Zero-party data is highly valuable for email marketing as it offers direct insights into customers’ preferences and intentions, enabling precise personalization and customization of email campaigns. It allows marketers to build trust and improve customer experiences by tailoring content and offers to individual needs

First-Party Data

This data is collected directly from customers or website visitors by the brand or organization. It includes data from interactions, transactions, and engagements on owned platforms such as websites, apps, or social media channels. It is considered the most reliable and valuable type for email marketing. It helps marketers understand customer behaviour, segment their audience, and create personalized campaigns. It also data fosters stronger customer relationships and enables effective targeting and personalization, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates.

Types of 1st party data

No matter your 1st party data strategy, all information should be collected with the consent of the owners, whether explicitly through lead generation or contact forms or implicitly through other agreements (think: terms of service).

Because of this, first-party data encapsulates many types of information, such as:

1. Demographic data
   This includes details like a user’s age, gender, location, income level, and other relevant demographic information.
2. Transactional data
   This includes purchase-related information like one’s order history and transactional details like date, time, and amount spent.
3. Behavioural data
   This data relates to a customer’s behaviour, like website visits, browsing patterns, search queries, content-type consumption, and preferences.

Other types of such data include things like contact data (i.e., names, email addresses, and phone numbers), social media data (i.e., usernames, profile information, interactions, and other activities), and customer feedback (i.e., survey responses, reviews, and testimonials).

You may also like to read: Email Marketing + AI: how This is Beneficial for Consumers

Suggested by University of Email

Use case of first party data

First-party data plays a crucial role in email marketing as it provides valuable insights into the behaviour, preferences, and characteristics of your audience. Unlike third-party data that is obtained from external sources, first-party data is collected directly from your own customers or website visitors. Here are some key reasons why first-party data is important in email marketing:

Enhanced Personalization

First-party data allows you to understand your customers on a deeper level. By analysing their purchase history, browsing behaviour, interactions with your website or app, and preferences, you can create highly personalized email campaigns. Personalization increases the relevance of your emails, boosts engagement, and improves the chances of conversion.

Targeted Segmentation

With first-party data, you can segment your audience based on specific attributes such as demographics, geographic location, purchase behaviour, or engagement level. This enables you to send targeted emails to different segments, ensuring that the content is tailored to their specific interests and needs. Targeted segmentation leads to higher open rates, click-through rates, and ultimately, better campaign results.

Improved Customer Retention

First-party data helps you understand your existing customers better, allowing you to develop retention strategies. By analysing customer behaviour and engagement patterns, you can identify potential churn risks and implement personalized retention campaigns. Whether it’s sending targeted offers, loyalty rewards, or personalized recommendations, leveraging first-party data can significantly improve customer retention rates.

Trust and Compliance

In an era where data privacy and protection are paramount, relying on first-party data strengthens the trust between you and your customers. By collecting data directly from your customers with their consent, you demonstrate transparency and comply with data protection regulations. This builds trust and reassures your customers that their information is handled responsibly, which is crucial for maintaining a positive brand reputation.

Accurate Analytics and Insights

First-party data ensures the accuracy and reliability of the data you analyse for campaign performance. Since the data is collected directly from your customers, it provides a more accurate representation of their behaviour, preferences, and response to your email campaigns. This enables you to make data-driven decisions, optimize your email marketing strategies, and measure the true impact of your campaigns.

Long-term Customer Relationship

By leveraging first-party data, you can establish a long-term relationship with your customers. Regularly engaging with them through personalized and relevant email content strengthens brand loyalty and encourages repeat purchases. With first-party data, you can track customer journeys, monitor their interaction with your brand, and continuously refine your email marketing strategies to nurture and grow these relationships.

In conclusion, first-party data is a valuable asset in email marketing. It allows you to personalize your campaigns, target specific segments, improve customer retention, comply with privacy regulations, obtain accurate analytics, and build long-term customer relationships. By harnessing the power of first-party data, you can maximize the effectiveness of your email marketing efforts and drive better results for your business.

Second-Party Data

Second-party data refers to the first-party data of another organization or business with whom you have a partnership or data-sharing agreement. It involves sharing and accessing another company’s data directly, often for mutual benefits. While second-party data can provide additional insights and expand your targeting capabilities, it may not be as prevalent or readily available as first-party data. The effectiveness of second-party data in email marketing depends on the quality and relevance of the data obtained from the trusted partner.

Third-Party Data

Third-party data is collected and aggregated by external sources that are not directly associated with your organization. It can include demographic information, behavioural data, purchase history, and other characteristics obtained from various vendors, data brokers, or aggregators. Third-party data can help expand the reach of your email marketing campaigns by providing insights into a broader audience. However, it is often less reliable and can be generic in nature. Moreover, with increasing privacy concerns and regulations, the availability and quality of third-party data have diminished. Relying solely on third-party data may not yield the same level of personalization and accuracy as first-party data.

Which type is best for email marketing?

In terms of email marketing, first-party data is generally considered the most valuable and effective. It offers a direct understanding of your customers, their preferences, and their engagement with your brand. First-party data allows for precise segmentation, personalized content, and targeted campaigns, which are key to maximizing engagement and conversion rates. By collecting and leveraging first-party data, marketers can build strong customer relationships and deliver highly relevant and impactful email experiences. While second-party and third-party data may provide supplemental insights, they should be used cautiously, ensuring their quality, relevance, and compliance with data protection regulations.