http://www.smartbiz.com/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed SmartBiz.com Internet Technology Resources For Startup and Small Businesses en-us Copyright (c) 2005 SmartBiz. All rights reserved. http://www.smartbiz.com/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeedhttp://www.smartbiz.com/images/smartbiz_logo.gif http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2542/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed In the 1960s, business executives marveled at their new organization tool - the Rolodex. This clever contraption made it easy to find an associate's or customer's phone number and add or delete contacts in just a few minutes, spinning cards around on its wheel alphabetically. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:38:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2541/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed As an account manager, I've had the chance to work with hundreds of companies starting out with email marketing over the year. I've seen that those willing to invest some initial time to learn and apply basic best practices tend to enjoy better delivery and more success with their email campaigns. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2540/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed When many people think of "email marketing," they think of opt-in email promotions. That is, where you buy a product online and click on the check box for "send me periodic mailings with news of related products and services from XYZ, Inc." Then, once a month, you get a short promotional email. Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:06:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2537/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed The next time you create an email campaign, try to use a 'from address' and 'subject line' with the assumption that no one is going to open your message. I know this seems backwards, but trust me on this one. Most of us put our energies in to creating a clever subject with the sole intention of getting the content opened. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2532/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed To make the best of a tough economy, more marketers are looking for cost effective methods to reach prospects and customers. As email activity and competition grows, the need to plan, create and maintain smart campaigns becomes even more important. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2533/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed Email marketers are in an ongoing quest to send emails that make an impact and generate responses. They tirelessly fret over crafting the perfect message or offer and strategies for breaking through inbox clutter. Then they scrutinize results for hints of what to do more of or less of in the next round. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2534/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed Marketing professionals know that careful, accurate, and constant campaign tracking and analysis are just as important as delivery itself. Your email marketing campaigns, integrated with Google Analytics, make this possible-and easier to do than ever before. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2535/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed Email marketers need to exercise a green thumb when it comes to managing their subscriber lists. Regular list maintenance is crucial to maintaining high deliverability. Simple steps like removing certain departmental email addresses, removing email addresses that continually soft bounce, and not sending to lists that produce a high percentage of complaints can keep email campaigns blossoming all year long. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2536/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed An email campaign is only as good as the list it is sent to. The question from marketers then becomes, "How do I build a great email list?" The following tips can help all email marketers build their most valuable asset; the email list. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2538/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed The next time you create an email campaign, try to use a 'from address' and 'subject line' with the assumption that no one is going to open your message. I know this seems backwards, but trust me on this one. Most of us put our energies in to creating a clever subject with the sole intention of getting the content opened. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2539/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed E-newsletters are a great and inexpensive tool for communicating with many different audiences, which makes them popular for communicating with current and prospective customers. E-newsletters and promotional emails alone make up about 62 percent of all emails sent, and e-newsletters specifically are projected to grow another 58 percent by 2013. Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2529/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed The next time you create an email campaign, try to use a 'from address' and 'subject line' with the assumption that no one is going to open your message. I know this seems backwards, but trust me on this one. Most of us put our energies in to creating a clever subject with the sole intention of getting the content opened. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2530/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed Nothing strikes fear in the heart of an email marketer like the thought of a recipient hitting the spam button. All that time spent on creating content, sending and reviewing test messages, only to have someone completely reject the message as "Junk." It truly is a cold, hard world. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2531/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed It is hard to overstate how important the subject line is to the success of your permission-based email marketing campaigns and email newsletters. First, the subject line is the first writing recipients see and is often the determining factor on whether they open the email or move on to something else. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2527/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed Spam complaints can be detrimental to your email marketing campaign, and worse, tarnish your sender reputation. Even the best permission-based email marketers (those who send relevant promotions and email newsletters to their opted-in subscribers) get some spam complaints. If you receive more than 1 complaint per 1,000 emails sent, or more than 0.1%, continue reading. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2528/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed I thought it would be helpful for marketers to know what it takes to do a comprehensive deliverability audit. Even an email marketer with satisfactory sending results should take an hour or so a month to make sure all the checks and balances are in place. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:06:00 -0800 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2526/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed With the Super Bowl just days away, the marketing buzz about the commercials is becoming deafening and talk at the water cooler following the game will most likely focus more on the commercials than the game itself. But email marketers should also pay special attention to the game itself, and watch how both teams use the short passing game to advance the ball. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2525/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed Tips for getting your permission-based marketing emails into the inbox and the actual design of the email are closely linked. Here you will find useful information on getting into the inbox, email design tips, and the nexus between the two. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2523/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed New email marketers are often at a disadvantage when it comes to learning the ropes of building a successful email marketing campaign. This can also be true for veteran marketers who have set their email campaigns on autopilot and are now seeing a drop in the effectiveness of their mailings. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.smartbiz.com/article/view/2524/?utm_source=&utm_medium=newsfeed Designing an effective email is not difficult, but it has a few unique aspects that should be considered in the design process. Regardless of design however, the message should be clear, simple and easily identifiable. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700