Don't Get Deleted!
An e-mail newsletter can be a great promotional tool for your new website, but if not created carefully, you could be losing more customers than you get out of it-all because of wording.People are willing to pay big bucks to filter out unwanted e-mails and advertisements, called spam, which can take up to 60% or more of a user's mailbox space. These spam filters are set to weed out headings and phrases which are commonly used in advertising, and to send 'em packing straight to the junk file.
An e-mail newsletter can be considered spam and filtered out, or to the junk mail box on your computer, if it contains certain words or phrases. The word "free" can get your newsletter diverted to the spam pile, as well as the word "specialist," which contains the word "cailis", which is a sexual enhancement drug…
However, it can get worse. If recipients perceive that newsletter as unsolicited spam, the service provider could get complaints, which could lead to suspension of your service.
You will be less likely to be accused of spamming if you include an opt-out choice for your recipients so that they may choose to no longer receive your newsletter ("to unsubscribe, click here") and even better, use subscribers only. Hire a writer who knows what keyword sensitive phrases are, and you won't have a problem.( Be especially wary of emails which ONLY USE CAPS)
Another hint for not getting lost in the spam shuffle, send your email newsletters out in batches in the middle of the week, so that they don't end up in the weekend accumulation of spam.
If you have a large list of newsletter recipients, send them out in small batches, a large list can bring a mailer server to its knees for up to 15 minutes, which could anger your cyber neighbors using the same server. Develop a relationship with your ISP, so that they are aware of what you are doing, there will be less red tape to go through if you do end up getting some complaints.
Finally and most important, take the time and spend the money to develop a newsletter worthy of reading. Want to save some money? Offer ad space within your newsletter and let the advertisers pay for the production. No one wants to take the time to read a boring newsletter, so pay someone to write a really good newsletter for you, perhaps someone willing to write and format one a month for a year. Include a few pictures. Be willing to pay the price, if you want your newsletter read, and don't hesitate to let the writer go if they only write fluff. Research is probably required on the writer's part for a good newsletter, which can bring in new business, so be sure they include research in their price.
An informative, FUN newsletter is your best bet, and don't get discouraged, most newsletters have a life expectancy of six months for lack of consistent, interesting information.
