MindComet

Email Mistakes to Avoid

I enjoyed reading Chris Marriot’s article today in iMedia on email mistakes to avoid.  We are on the same page and with that, Ill keep this short and to the point.  Of his 5 mistakes to avoid Id like to respond to three of them: having too much text, open assumptions and relationship abuse.

I have read some email newsletters recently that have had an overload of content but all great content.  With that, if you are going to load your email with content Id follow the format Ive seen in having links at the top of the email that take you to that specific area of content or doing something that makes each piece of content one of its own so you know what to expect in future communication and can skip down to what you are interested in.  Of course, having snippets of content with links that take you to a site with more information is still among my favorite.

In regards to open assumptions, I completely agree in that you should never assume if someone has opened your previous email or not.  Youve got the stats, so why not put them to good use.  Don’t send out an email to everyone saying “in my last email,” because everyone may have not opened it.  If anything at all, start off by saying, “for those that read the last email,” in addition to a link to the archived email newsletter if in fact you are referencing something.

Lastly, since we are known as the Relationship Agency I had to touch upon relationship abuse on how not to affect your current relationship status.  If you communicate to your members that you will be communicating to them once a month, then stick to that.  If members allow you to send them additional information from partners and so forth, use your best judgment and don’t bombard their inbox.

Email is a great communication tool and should not be taken advantage of.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by MindComet on Aug. 30, 2007

Facebook Opens Email Platform

If you’re currently on the social networking site of the moment, Facebook, you may notice that their email options have widened considerably.  Up until recently, you were only allowed to message to you Facebook friends.  But now they’ve allowed the option to message - quote / unquote - normal email addresses through their system.

The issues inherit with Facebook’s email service is that – as it stands now – no on uses facebook as their sole means of email communication.  Like most people, I check my main email account to see if I’ve received any messages from the social networking site.  Then I log on to the site to actually read the message.  It seems a little convoluted…  for now.  If they add a few key features (such as POP, forwarding, etc), then Facebook has the potential to completely turn the email-marketing world on its head.

Source: The Email Wars

Read More & View Comments

Posted by MindComet on Aug. 27, 2007

Email Subject Line Best Practices

The Donts!

Here are a few words and phrases to avoid using in your email subject lines to ensure you won’t get blocked or have users questioning whether you are spamming or not:

• 100% free
• 50% off
• act now
• sex or pornography related words
• words related to cures and/or medication
• amazing
• no YELLING

Read More & View Comments

Posted by MindComet on Aug. 21, 2007

PDF Spam On the Rise

Recently, the amount of spam hitting inboxes has stayed relatively steady, but according to Symantec (an internet security firm based out of Cupertino, CA), the tactics used by spammers is changing.

Spammers are shifting from image-embedded emails to PDF-attached emails, duping many – especially those checking their email through business-related accounts.  PDF spam now makes up two to eight percent of all spam.

The nuisance of spam will never go away.  It’s incorporating of other file types besides PDFs too, such as zip files and Excel files, which will only increase the amount of confusion on what emails, are “safe” to open for the general public.

The only surefire way to stop spam dead in its tracks is for users to hotly embrace the use of whitelists and address books.

Read more here.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by MindComet on Aug. 20, 2007

Bath and Body Works Email Strategy

I visit Bath and Body Works about twice a year when they have their semi annual sales going on. Its hard enough for me giving out my phone number when stores ask for it, however realize that they aren’t just going to start calling me, lets hope not at least. In addition to the phone number they ask for my email as well and its more of a convenience factor for me to say “no thanks,“ to just get out of the store opposed opposed to wondering what type of extra deals I may receive.

I was reading an article the other day on their email program and found out they have over 10 million addresses, crazy right?! So then I had to do some digging on what makes their email strategy so successful. I went to their site to sign up and they are giving away one of my favorite lip glosses free, limited time offer of course, just for signing up. So I did.

The article mentioned that people that signed up would receive the free lip gloss promo in their inbox and then have to take it into the store to receive, smart thinking.  Typically welcome messages are sent immediately or within a week of signing up depending on the opt in process.  Bath and Body Works highlights that the first message I’ll receive will be within one week.  I’ll be interested to see what happens, whether I made it in time for the limited time offer or if Ill just receive a standard welcome message.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by MindComet on Aug. 17, 2007

Our Mobile Addiction

In a recent study conducted by Bright Hand, it was concluded that the majority of people with mobile email-retrieving devices (Blackberrys, iPhones, etc) are “addicted to email”, naturally.  The average user checks their email regularly: 5 times a day, while the majority checks their email every time they receive a new message.  Some are even so obsessed with their mobile device, that they sleep next to it, just in case an important email arrives in the middle of the night.

To further prove the obsession, 83% check their email while on vacation, 53% in the bathroom and 12% while at church.  Ridiculous.

You can read the entire report here.

Thanks to Dylan at theemailwars for bringing this survey to light.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by MindComet on Aug. 16, 2007

Where’s the Call to Click Through?

I received an email today from RedEnvelope, a great place for unique gifts. I was a bit discouraged and confused by their message. Their subject line read, “Last Chance - First Glance”. The reason Im confused is because I hadnt seen any other previous messages come through so how could this be my last chance? So I opened the email and its for their summer sale. Do they have that robust of a tracking system in place where they know I havent visited in a while, and even if they did, the subject line has still discouraged me in that I should be receiving more frequent email updates on their sales opposed to having to visit the site to find out. Lastly, here is how the message read:

So you would think the RedEnvelope in red would be the clickable links yet its the “summer sale” text that is clickable.  Maybe they are trying to keep this sale a secret.  As for the first glance, its about launching their new website.  At least they are giving me proper notice on their site launch so Im not completely surprised next time I visit, Ill give them that.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by MindComet on Aug. 14, 2007