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ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts 
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Ok, strange name, yes. But it seems to be wicked cool. Allow me to explain.
Recently, I've made comments on the Café that alluded to the fact that I don't trust having my private business information (contact lists, etc.) online for privacy reasons. However, I have found a cool site called MailChimp that is used for sending out email newsletters and other email lists, like autoresponders, etc. At first, I was skeptical. After reviewing their privacy policy and their list of clients (Canon, Intel, Mozilla, and BusinessWeek) I figured they were not only legit, but serious about privacy. And they are 100% CAN-SPAM compliant. They also have a free trial (up to 100 people on your list and up to 600 email "sends"). So I signed up and populated it with my own email. Now I'm a huge fan. It works flawlessly and integrates well with my website. What I'd like to do is ask if anyone else uses them. Also, perhaps start a thread about great email marketing ideas (note: NOT spamming, but legit stuff). Your thoughts? Scott |
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jackturk Elite user 463 Posts
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I've tried several email marketing systems (and have looked
at MailChimp as well). I've also played around with some of the free open source systems, including SugarCRM which does provide an email broadcast facility, but the servers on which you install it have to properly support the correct IMAP functionality (which Godaddy didn't seem to provide). Right now I'm using 1shoppingcart to handle all my email lists and I've been very happy with them. They have many good points, but the primary plus for 1shoppingcart is their support team -- I have been able to call them many many times with lots of questions and have always gotten a great answer. Very very helpful. And that is definitely worth a lot in my book. --Jack
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
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Alikzam Elite user 434 Posts
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I've heard that MailChip's deliverability is lower than iContacts. I don't know if its true or not though. I've been using iContact for about 6 months now and I love it. Mailchip does have a very web2.0 ajaxy type interface that has won lots of awards though
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Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts
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Isn't it easy (and free) to create a group in the address book of your email program and do a blind carbon copy to that group?
That is what I do.
-Matt
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ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts
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You can do that, yes. And if you are just starting out, might be a viable option for you. However...
Services add much more, whether it is MailChimp or any of the other services mentioned. First of all, many ISPs limit the amount of emails you can send at any time, and may even suspend your account for breaking your agreement. This is even more true once you have been in the business for awhile and have a larger database. Second, with the CAN-SPAM legislation, staying compliant with Spam laws is very important. For example, you must include an "Unsubscribe" link in all emails, and have a real address for your business. Third, these services tie in with both Google Analytics and other metrics to track if the newsletters are opened, if they are deleted, if they are marked as spam, and what (if any) links are clicked through to your site. In fact, with MailChimp (I'm assuming the other services mentioned do this too) you can do A/B testing of an email and see which headline or which offer pulls the better results. Over time this means more gigs, more money and pays for itself many times over. Testing, testing, testing is oh so important. To me, these metrics make spending a few tax deductable dollars well worth it. I treat these services as part of my advertising and marketing budget. Cheers. |
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Alikzam Elite user 434 Posts
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Matthew: You also run the risk of having your email address black listed for sending the same email to a large group of people.
If you use your address book to manage a newsletter list, it becomes more and more tedious as your list grows and you have to mange bounces, invalid email addresses, removals, and new members. It makes sense to have a website manage these things for you. Other main benefits including mail sequences, an automatic sign up form on your website, and analytics tracking. ScottRSullivan mentioned the legal implications as well. |
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Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts
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Thanks for the info, I will try MailChimp. I am going to use a PO Box for the address at the bottom.
-Matt
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Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-06-17 14:23, jackturk wrote: We're talking a lot about SugarCRM in another thread so I thought I'd chime in. Instead of using your servers built-in mail settings, you can use any legetamate SMTP server. I use the services provided for free by Gmail to great success. |
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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts
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Scott, Jack, and Leif,
All excellent posts and full of valuable information. Thanks for sharing. I currently use a form of 1shoppingcart called 1AutomationWiz. I've used them for over two years and I have never had a problem. Besides running all my email through them I also have my shopping cart set up through them. Like Jack stated above, their customer support is excellent. You can CLICK HERE to check them out. It's definitely worth looking into. To your success! Lou Serrano |
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts
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Anyone got a site like this that is MAC friendly?? BTW Vertical response is pennies per e-mail and no sign up cost.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts
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Do you know if I can add legally add those that have hired me in the past or have contacted me through my website to my mailing list? I have never had a mailing list for this before, so they have not opted in.
The first email will explain what the newsletter is, why they are getting the newsletter and that they can unsubscribe at any time.
-Matt
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Drew Manning Special user Dallas, Texas 913 Posts
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Matt, chances are for a one time blast, you would fly under the radar, espically if there is an unsubscribe link.
The cops aren't going to come to your house and haul you away for sending out 100 (or what ever size your list is) emails one time.
I live my life for a layer of ice
Just like those poured by my bartender vice Any taste of vermouth would be really sublime, When you have a good martini time! -The Reverend Horton Heat |
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Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts
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I would be sending emails out after the one explaining what it is. I guess it is fine if I let them know they are on it and that they can unsubscribe. It is people that have hired me or contacted me through my website (therefore providing an email address).
-Matt
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Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts
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The monkey said no.
-Matt
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James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts
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Carducci,
You are about to become my new best friend! Are you saying I can use Gmail as the SMTP server to send out mass emails?!!! Do you know what the daily/hourly limit is? But why wouldn't every spammer in the world use gmail to send out a million emails every day? Best, James |
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Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-06-18 11:08, Matthew W wrote: That would qualify as an "existing business relationship" and is thus allowed under the CAN-SPAM Act. The "monkey says no" because they require an explicit opt-in (which is always a good idea) They have to be particularly careful because they do not want to get blacklisted. |
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Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-06-18 11:56, James Munton wrote: Gmail uses authenticated SMTP, so it is tied to a gmail account. I don't know what their 'secret sauce' is to prevent abuse but I'm sure there is one. My email campaigns are fairly small (hundreds, not thousands) but I've never had a problem. I see good open rates and, click-through-rates in my reports so I know it's working. |
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Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts
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I just spoke with MailChimp and they said that past customers are fine.
-Matt
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Carducci Special user Denver 543 Posts
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Quote:
On 2009-06-18 12:54, Carducci wrote: I did a little more research, here is what Google has to say on the subject: Quote:
Are there limits for sending mail? Everything I've read indicates a 500 message/day limit. |
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James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts
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Ah. Thought so. Thanks for checking.
I often send several thousand emails in a day, so that wouldn't work for me. James |
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Posted: Jun 17, 2009 03:10 pm 
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