In my last post I wrote about why you should use caution when growing your email list, to ensure you’re complying with Anti-Spam laws, but also to have more engaged readers. Now I want to move onto the topic of segmenting your list for even better engagement. Different Ways to Segment If you’re a Mail on the Mark client you know that you can upload your email names into multiple lists. You may want to begin by separating your existing list into sub-groups. A few examples: Separate by geography: If you have both face-to-face (or bricks and mortar) customers as well as internet-based customers you may want to separate the two lists. Example, Fitness company: Non-local customers and prospects may not be interested in events that take place far away. Only the local list will get notifications of classes and workshops, while everyone learns about internet-based training. Separate by industry or specialty: If you serve clients from multiple industries or… Continue Reading »
Read More...Smaller Can Be Better: 3 Reasons to Keep your Email List Small
It’s easy to feel that any email recipient is better than none. But this is probably not true. 3 reasons why a smaller email list can be better.
Read More...It’s Hard to Stand Out When You Use a Free Template
I recently purchased a Xerox color printer, (the Phaser 6280, which I love, by the way). As part of the warranty registration process I am now on Xerox’s email list. I just received this e-newsletter that had me cringing at the contradictory advice given. Xerox E-Newsletter (click to enlarge) The e-newsletter’s first head line is: 10 ways to stand out from the crowd The second headline and article are: More free business flyer templates. With our new professionally designed business flyers, there are now over 20 free designs you can use to look your best in print. It’s really hard to stand out from the crowd, when you use a free template. The worst case scenario is that your competition is actually using the same template as you. This is more common than you think. If you are the travel business you choose the travel theme. If you are a florist, you choose the floral theme. Unfortunately, that’s what everyone else… Continue Reading »
Read More...Web Design and E-Newsletter Design Tip: Links Default to Blue
Most web browsers and HTML-based email programs show linked text as underlined and blue, unless you change the default settings. Changing the style of your links is an important way to add visual appeal to a web site. While underlining is the default style for indicating links, most web site viewers are savvy enough these days to recognize colored text or bolded text as links. For example, on this blog my links are set to be green without an underline. There are many different ways to indicate links—and also rollover (hover) states—and these should all be well-considered by your web designer so they complement the design of the web site. Remember, by default, most HTML readers (ie browsers, email programs) will indicate links with blue and underlined text, unless your web designer has set the CSS style to something else. Leaving your links at the default blue underlined style is a red flag (or a blue one?) that your web… Continue Reading »
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