Many email campaigns begin with a large image, designed to engage and entice the reader with the preview pane of their email inbox. However, many email providers, such as Hotmail, now have image blockers, which obviously reduce the effect of your marketing message. So how do you tackle this issue? You could try:
Using Alt Text - there will be plenty of space so you can be quite creative in writing something that encourages your readers to activate their images, click, scroll down etc.
Use a Preheader - This will allow readers who don't see the image to see something in their preview pane, whilst the impact of the large image will not be effected by a preheader for those that can see the image. You should try to be inventive with this text so that it encourages your readers.
Visit eShoutz.com for all your email marketing needs.
Friday 26 September 2008
10 must have features for email marketing
At eShoutz we feel that there are 10 features every email marketer requires from their email marketing provider.
1. Automated bounce and unsubscribe management
If your email campaigns are not delivered because they are being sent to an invalid email address, the address is removed automatically from your address books by eShoutz. This will prevent you from sending to the address again.
2. Open and click-through tracking
eShoutz provides open and click-through information about all of your sent email campaigns, and you can even print off boardroom-ready reports on the success of your campaign.
3. Spam checker
You need to able to check that your email campaign is likely to get past spam filters. The eShoutz spam checker points out any aspects of your html and text emails which may be classed as spam before you attempt to send the email newsletter.
4. Inbox preview
You should be able to check what your email campaign will look like in different inboxes. Check the layout in Yahoo, Gmail etc.
5. Email address de-duplication
You don't want to annoy recipients by sending them an email campaign more than once because their address is duplicated within an address book. eShoutz takes out any duplicates on your behalf.
6. Template library
You should be able to store all email campaigns within a library so that you can use them as editable templates again and again. eShoutz has an extensive range of editable templates in the library free for you to use, or alternatively you can add your own designs.
7. Unique domain option
Using a unique domain and URL reduces your chance of becoming blacklisted by an email provider's other clients. You should buy a unique domain if your provider gives you the option.
8. Testing facility
It is important that all email marketing campaigns are tested before they are sent to full address books. eShoutz allows you to send as many tests of your html and text email campaigns as you wish.
9. Dynamic content and personalisation options
Sending email campaigns that are tailored to your recipients' tastes results in better click-through rates. As does personalising your email campaigns. eShoutz allows you to dynamically create your email campaigns so that recipients receive offers and news which they have expressed an interest in or have asked for.
10. ROI and conversion tracking
All email marketers will want to measure the success of email campaigns, and by tracking direct conversions from a campaign allows them to calculate the return on investment. eShoutz offers extensive ROI tracking and provides a breakdown of orders, bookings or enquiries, the value of those leads and also the products that have been purchased or enquiried about on your website.
For more information about eShoutz email marketing and its range of features visit eShoutz.com.
1. Automated bounce and unsubscribe management
If your email campaigns are not delivered because they are being sent to an invalid email address, the address is removed automatically from your address books by eShoutz. This will prevent you from sending to the address again.
2. Open and click-through tracking
eShoutz provides open and click-through information about all of your sent email campaigns, and you can even print off boardroom-ready reports on the success of your campaign.
3. Spam checker
You need to able to check that your email campaign is likely to get past spam filters. The eShoutz spam checker points out any aspects of your html and text emails which may be classed as spam before you attempt to send the email newsletter.
4. Inbox preview
You should be able to check what your email campaign will look like in different inboxes. Check the layout in Yahoo, Gmail etc.
5. Email address de-duplication
You don't want to annoy recipients by sending them an email campaign more than once because their address is duplicated within an address book. eShoutz takes out any duplicates on your behalf.
6. Template library
You should be able to store all email campaigns within a library so that you can use them as editable templates again and again. eShoutz has an extensive range of editable templates in the library free for you to use, or alternatively you can add your own designs.
7. Unique domain option
Using a unique domain and URL reduces your chance of becoming blacklisted by an email provider's other clients. You should buy a unique domain if your provider gives you the option.
8. Testing facility
It is important that all email marketing campaigns are tested before they are sent to full address books. eShoutz allows you to send as many tests of your html and text email campaigns as you wish.
9. Dynamic content and personalisation options
Sending email campaigns that are tailored to your recipients' tastes results in better click-through rates. As does personalising your email campaigns. eShoutz allows you to dynamically create your email campaigns so that recipients receive offers and news which they have expressed an interest in or have asked for.
10. ROI and conversion tracking
All email marketers will want to measure the success of email campaigns, and by tracking direct conversions from a campaign allows them to calculate the return on investment. eShoutz offers extensive ROI tracking and provides a breakdown of orders, bookings or enquiries, the value of those leads and also the products that have been purchased or enquiried about on your website.
For more information about eShoutz email marketing and its range of features visit eShoutz.com.
Wednesday 24 September 2008
Email Bounce Backs
Having trouble with email bounce backs? Not sure what the difference is between a soft bounce back and a hard bounce back? Don't worry eShoutz can help you to understand bounce backs and give you tips on how to manage and reduce them.
Soft Bounce Back
An email is classed as a soft bounce back when it reaches the subscriber's mail server and the email adress is recognised but the email is bounced back undelivered before it reaches the intended subscriber. A soft bounce back usually occurs when:
1. the subscriber's mailbox is full,
2. the server is down or downloading lots of emails,
3. the email is too large, or
4. the subscriber has abandoned their mailbox.
If your email is a soft bounce, most email providers will attempt to redeliver the email over the next few days.
Hard Bounce Back
An email is defined as a hard bounce back when it is returned to its sender and cannot be redelivered. Common causes for a hard bounce back include:
1. invalid email addresses i.e. the domain name doesn't exist, typing errors etc
2. the subscriber's mail server has blocked your server
Quick Tips
Actively managing your bounce backs can help to reduce your email delivery costs and help to increase conversions. Here are some quick tips on how to manage & reduce your bounce backs:
1. Clean your Lists - check for incorrect email addresses, invalid domain names and typing errors
2. Confirm email addresses - You could try an auto-reply confirmation so when an email address is captured if the auto-reply bounces you can attempt to correct it at the start, which will be less cost to yourself. Alternatively, you could use a second email address line in your online forms etc, this will help to prevent typos.
3. Include subscription links in your email - By including a link for subscribers within your email it will make it easier for subscribers to update their details.
4. Use an unique URL and 'From' address - This means that if any other email marketers using the same software as you get blacklisted they will not have any affect on your campaigns.
5. Test your email campaign - Prior to sending your email campaign send a test to yourself and others. Be sure to include Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and Outlook.
6. Suppress or delete recurring bounce backs - If all else fails you should remove the subscriber from your address book.
Visit eShoutz.com for further email marketing tips and advice.
Soft Bounce Back
An email is classed as a soft bounce back when it reaches the subscriber's mail server and the email adress is recognised but the email is bounced back undelivered before it reaches the intended subscriber. A soft bounce back usually occurs when:
1. the subscriber's mailbox is full,
2. the server is down or downloading lots of emails,
3. the email is too large, or
4. the subscriber has abandoned their mailbox.
If your email is a soft bounce, most email providers will attempt to redeliver the email over the next few days.
Hard Bounce Back
An email is defined as a hard bounce back when it is returned to its sender and cannot be redelivered. Common causes for a hard bounce back include:
1. invalid email addresses i.e. the domain name doesn't exist, typing errors etc
2. the subscriber's mail server has blocked your server
Quick Tips
Actively managing your bounce backs can help to reduce your email delivery costs and help to increase conversions. Here are some quick tips on how to manage & reduce your bounce backs:
1. Clean your Lists - check for incorrect email addresses, invalid domain names and typing errors
2. Confirm email addresses - You could try an auto-reply confirmation so when an email address is captured if the auto-reply bounces you can attempt to correct it at the start, which will be less cost to yourself. Alternatively, you could use a second email address line in your online forms etc, this will help to prevent typos.
3. Include subscription links in your email - By including a link for subscribers within your email it will make it easier for subscribers to update their details.
4. Use an unique URL and 'From' address - This means that if any other email marketers using the same software as you get blacklisted they will not have any affect on your campaigns.
5. Test your email campaign - Prior to sending your email campaign send a test to yourself and others. Be sure to include Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and Outlook.
6. Suppress or delete recurring bounce backs - If all else fails you should remove the subscriber from your address book.
Visit eShoutz.com for further email marketing tips and advice.
Tuesday 23 September 2008
Commonly Asked Email Marketing Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions answered by eShoutz.com.
1. What is a good open or click-through rate?
Open and click-through rates vary for all email marketers, and results depend on the subject line, the relevancy of the content and the offers included in the newsletter. Industry average for open rates is between 15% and 20%.
2. How do I get my email newsletter past spam filters?
Avoid using lots of exclamation marks in both the subject line and within the content of your email. Also, avoid spam words such as 'free!', 'click here', 'discount' and 'satisfaction guaranteed'.
Also, check your email campaign with the eShoutz spam checker tool. The spam checker will highlight any issues you have with your newsletter so that you can correct them before sending to your address books.
3. Do I really need to send a text version of my email campaign?
Including a text version when sending your email campaigns can help reduce spam scores. There may also be recipients within your address books that cannot open html emails. It does not usually take long to create a text version of your email so it is advised that you do it each time you create your html version.
4. Why do I need a web-based version of the html email?
Including a link in your html email to a web-based version means that if recipients cannot view the newsletter correctly they can simply click on the link and see the content in full. Some recipients may have the images disabled and not actually know how to switch them back on again. A link makes it easy for them to view the html.
When you create a html email campaign in eShoutz, a copy is automatically stored as a web-based version. One click of a button enters a 'view html' link into your email so there's no need for uploading your newsletter onto servers, all the hard work is done for you!
5. What day of the week is best to send email marketing campaigns, and at what time?
This depends on the types of recipients you are sending to. If you are sending to business email addresses of people who work in offices, you are not likely to get a good open rate if you send on a Friday evening or weekend. Office staff clear out their inboxes on a monday morning when they have accumulated a number of emails. This may include yours.
Try sending campaigns on different days and at different times of the day. You may see consistent results, you may also find that it doesn't actually matter when you send your email newsletters.
6. How do I make sure that I don't get blacklisted?
Don't send email campaigns which may be mistaken as spam. It is also advisable to have a unique URL and 'from address'. This means that if any other email marketers using the same software as you get blacklisted they will not have any affect on your campaigns.
eShoutz provides a unique URL and 'from address' service which means that you can reduce the risk of being blacklisted by any other users of eShoutz. You can also build brand awareness by having a branded 'from address'.
Another way of preventing being blacklisted is ensuring that all of your email addresses within your address books are opted in. Only use email addresses of people who have expressed that they wish to receive email newsletter from you.
7. Most importantly, what is the most important thing for me to remember to achieve a successful email marketing campaign?
We suggest that you make your email newsletters relevant to your recipients. Just because email marketing is a cheap way of communicating with potential and existing customers, it doesn't mean that you should bombard them with emails that they wouldn't want to recieve. Tailor your emails to what they want using the eShoutz dynamic content tool and ensure that the offers you are sending are competitive or appealing.
For more information about eShoutz email marketing, visit the website at eShoutz.com.
1. What is a good open or click-through rate?
Open and click-through rates vary for all email marketers, and results depend on the subject line, the relevancy of the content and the offers included in the newsletter. Industry average for open rates is between 15% and 20%.
2. How do I get my email newsletter past spam filters?
Avoid using lots of exclamation marks in both the subject line and within the content of your email. Also, avoid spam words such as 'free!', 'click here', 'discount' and 'satisfaction guaranteed'.
Also, check your email campaign with the eShoutz spam checker tool. The spam checker will highlight any issues you have with your newsletter so that you can correct them before sending to your address books.
3. Do I really need to send a text version of my email campaign?
Including a text version when sending your email campaigns can help reduce spam scores. There may also be recipients within your address books that cannot open html emails. It does not usually take long to create a text version of your email so it is advised that you do it each time you create your html version.
4. Why do I need a web-based version of the html email?
Including a link in your html email to a web-based version means that if recipients cannot view the newsletter correctly they can simply click on the link and see the content in full. Some recipients may have the images disabled and not actually know how to switch them back on again. A link makes it easy for them to view the html.
When you create a html email campaign in eShoutz, a copy is automatically stored as a web-based version. One click of a button enters a 'view html' link into your email so there's no need for uploading your newsletter onto servers, all the hard work is done for you!
5. What day of the week is best to send email marketing campaigns, and at what time?
This depends on the types of recipients you are sending to. If you are sending to business email addresses of people who work in offices, you are not likely to get a good open rate if you send on a Friday evening or weekend. Office staff clear out their inboxes on a monday morning when they have accumulated a number of emails. This may include yours.
Try sending campaigns on different days and at different times of the day. You may see consistent results, you may also find that it doesn't actually matter when you send your email newsletters.
6. How do I make sure that I don't get blacklisted?
Don't send email campaigns which may be mistaken as spam. It is also advisable to have a unique URL and 'from address'. This means that if any other email marketers using the same software as you get blacklisted they will not have any affect on your campaigns.
eShoutz provides a unique URL and 'from address' service which means that you can reduce the risk of being blacklisted by any other users of eShoutz. You can also build brand awareness by having a branded 'from address'.
Another way of preventing being blacklisted is ensuring that all of your email addresses within your address books are opted in. Only use email addresses of people who have expressed that they wish to receive email newsletter from you.
7. Most importantly, what is the most important thing for me to remember to achieve a successful email marketing campaign?
We suggest that you make your email newsletters relevant to your recipients. Just because email marketing is a cheap way of communicating with potential and existing customers, it doesn't mean that you should bombard them with emails that they wouldn't want to recieve. Tailor your emails to what they want using the eShoutz dynamic content tool and ensure that the offers you are sending are competitive or appealing.
For more information about eShoutz email marketing, visit the website at eShoutz.com.
Monday 15 September 2008
Top tips for creating an effective html email campaign
Take a look at the eShoutz top tips for creating effective email newsletters and improve your email marketing return on investment.
1. Place your most competitive offers in the top part of the email so that they are viewable in a preview pane of a recipient's inbox. If a recipient sees an enticing offer straight away they are likely to open the email fully to see what more you have to offer in the newsletter.
2. Have your call to action both at the top and at the bottom of the email so that a recipient can always see a telephone number or web address. Recipients will only contact you if they are reminded how to do so.
3. Always include an unsubscribe link. Remember that placing the unsubscribe link at the bottom of an email may encourage recipients to click the ‘junk’ button rather than scrolling down and clicking ‘unsubscribe’, which can result in your domain being registered as spam.
4. Always test your email campaigns in a number of inboxes, including Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo mail and Outlook. Your email template may look completely different in a number of inboxes depending on how it has been created. eShoutz has an 'inbox preview tool' which allows you to check your campaign quickly and easily before sending to your entire address book(s).
5. Always add a ‘forward to a friend’ link so that if a recipient wishes to share the offers with someone the email that they receive is in the correct format. By adding the link you can also increase your brand awareness if your recipients send the campaign to their friends.
6. Include ALT tags for all images, as many recipients will have images disabled in their email account settings. If they can read the Alt tags and understand what the email is about they are more likely to enable the images to view the html fully.
7. Make all images clickable. Many recipients will automatically assume that the images are links that will take them through to your website.
8. Remember that it is a legal requirement to include your business name, registered address and company on all email marketing campaigns that you send.
For more email marketing tips visit http://www.eshoutz.com/email-marketing-tips
For more information about eShoutz, visit eShoutz.com
Tuesday 9 September 2008
Choosing an email marketing provider
If you're trying to choose an email marketing provider, there's a few things you should consider. Take a look at these top tips on what you should look when when choosing an email marketing provider:
1. Ensure that the system is easy to use. Have a demonstration so that you know exactly how the system works. The team at eShoutz are more than happy to give you a full demo of the system; how to create, send and report on email marketing campaigns.
2. You should choose a system that does not require you to send high volumes of emails. Ensure that you are not committed to sending thousands of emails on a regular basis.
3. Check that the software is provided by a UK company. Using a provider overseas often limits the support available due to time differences. If you use a UK provider you can often receive face-to-face training and office hour support.
4. Use an email marketing provider that has its own design service. That way you can be sure that the design is not only attractive but also works with the software. eShoutz has its very own design team who can design and create email newsletters to reflect your needs and branding.
5. It is always useful to sign up to a provider’s trial account. Therefore once you have had a demonstration of the system you can create a demo account and get colleagues to log in and give you their opinions on the system. You can also see how easy or difficult it really is to use the system on your own.
You can sign up to a free eShoutz trial and test the system for yourself at http://www.eshoutz.com/freetrial.
For more email marketing top tips visit http://www.eshoutz.com/email-marketing-tips
Thursday 4 September 2008
Looking for bulk email marketing?
eShoutz.com is a bulk email marketing company allowing businesses of all sizes to send mass email marketing campaigns. The low cost bulk email marketing service is designed to suit all budgets and expertise, and is ideal for marketers wishing to send to large databases of email addresses.
As well as bulk email marketing, eShoutz provides a complete email marketing service. eShoutz can design, send and manage all of your email marketing activities, or alternatively everything can be completed in-house.
So if you're looking for a professional email marketing service from a bulk email provider, look no further than eShoutz.com.
Visit http://www.eshoutz.com/bulk-email-marketing for more information on bulk email marketing.
As well as bulk email marketing, eShoutz provides a complete email marketing service. eShoutz can design, send and manage all of your email marketing activities, or alternatively everything can be completed in-house.
So if you're looking for a professional email marketing service from a bulk email provider, look no further than eShoutz.com.
Visit http://www.eshoutz.com/bulk-email-marketing for more information on bulk email marketing.
Tuesday 2 September 2008
Why email marketing?
Email marketing is one of the most powerful online marketing tools, used by businesses of all sizes. Email marketing usually requires only a small amount of time and often a very small budget to achieve results.
There are very few production costs involved with email marketing, and unlike direct mail there are no material costs. Many email marketing providers such as eShoutz also offer a self-service solution which eliminates management fees and allows you to complete all operations cheaply in-house. Email marketing also allows you to proactively contact prospective and existing customers, without waiting for them to visit your website to view your services and product offers.
Email marketing is an instant marketing solution which can also provide results straight away. Once an email marketer clicks to send an email campaign, it can be instantly distributed to the entire database of recipients a business has. This means that any urgent communications or offers which are due to be outdated within a short period of time can be sent out on an email very quickly before the offer ends.
Not only is the sending of email campaigns instant, but the response can be too. If you create a clear 'call to action' you may see an increase in visitors to your website or an influx in telephone calls almost instantly and usually within 48 hours of dispatching your email newsletter.
It is easy to track the success of your email marketing campaigns. eShoutz has an excellent reporting tool which shows you both numerically and graphically how your email marketing campaign has performed. You can see how many emails were delivered, how many were opened and who has clicked through to your website. You can also see how many enquiries or bookings were ultimately made as a result of your newsletter and the value of those leads.
Above all, eShoutz is simple to use. Creating and sending email marketing campaigns is quick and easy with eShoutz, as is using all of its additional features such as sending dynamic content newsletters and personalising your emails.
For more information on simple email marketing visit eShoutz.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
