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Understanding and navigating the hazards of email
marketing can be an adventure for the cautious
marketer.
Email, the modern answer to snail mail has not
surprisingly been addled with similar problems.
Junk mail is not a new concept the difference
online is that it is almost free to send junk
mail. This means that email has become polluted
with SPAM.
Here are some tips to a successful email marketing
campaign:
1. Know the Rules
State and country regulations vary with regards
to unsolicited email. Ignorance is not bliss,
you must know and respect the laws of any countries
involved. It is suggested that regardless of your
location you also adhere to the rules laid out
in the Can-Spam Act. Evaluate each and every message
for compliance.
CAN SPAM Act - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/canspam.shtm
CAN SPAM Summary - http://practice.findlaw.com/law-practice-management-articles/00050/000208.html
2. Opt-In is Not an Option
Plainly put, you must give subscribers
a choice. Subscribers must make a conscience decision
that they wish to receive your email. Avoid stealth
sign-up methods that collect addresses. Avoid
pre-checked newsletter boxes that opt users in
with little deference to their true desires. Confirmation
of all subscriptions should be required.
3. Keep it Clean
Keep your email list clean by removing faulty
and defunct email addresses. ISPs monitor the
volume of email sent as well as the failure rates.
Large volumes of both are indicative of spam and
could result in your domain being black listed.
ISPs who make the assumption that you are a spammer
could block all emails from your domain.
4. Test, Test and Test More
Create a test group, view formatting in an email
client prior to sending any emails to your list!
Test all the links contained within the email
message and make sure they are properly formatted
and work!
Do a test mailing and send to a small population
in your group to test your message. Conduct an
A/B split test to determine the effectiveness
of your message. Make sure that the sampling is
a large enough sampling that the results will
be an accurate reflection of the messages effectiveness,
not simply chance.
5. Honor Thy Subscribers
After a subscriber goes through the subscription
process acknowledge them with an email that contains
additional information or discounts. If a subscriber
unsubscribes, immediately honor their request.
6. Subjects
Many email readers screen their email by simply
deleting those topics they deem SPAM. Hence, the
subject line is a very important part of your
message. Make sure your subject line is relevant
and will capture the readers interest.
7. Personalize
Customize each email by personalizing each email
with the individuals name.
8. Subscribe
Go through you subscription process so that you
will see what your customer's see. Experience
your own opt-in system!
BlueHornet
BlueHornet Networks provides email marketing systems
that give users the power to gather valuable customer
information. BlueHornet has advanced opt-in email
marketing solution tracking the interests and
preferences of your customers. Turbocharge your
marketing efforts with the power to send personalized,
relevant emails to each contact in your database.
To make real money with e-mail marketing, you
must do more than send a “pretty” e-mail to a
big list. BlueHornet helps you launch profitable
campaigns and create highly targeted and relevant
messages that connect with your customers.
http://www.bluehornet.com
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