Get Your Emails Opened and Read!

Tips to Avoid the ISP SPAM Filters:

Those of us who use email marketing today rightfully worry about being overly aggressive and falling prey to the Spam filters of their prospects email services.  The fact is that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and corporate domains are making a frontline attack on Spam with email blocking and filtering programs.  Don't let your legitimate, permission-based email get classified as Spam.  

Here are six helpful tips.

1. Include your brand in the "From" line- This provides improved sender recognition.  Make sure it includes both your name and email address.  Somebody use fancy techniques to "hide" their email address.  Why?  It not only increases your chances of heading to the spam basket, but also robs you of the opportunity to expand your brand recognition and build both familiarity and credibility with each email.
2. Place your brand name in the Subject line-  I use "from Jay Benson, Keller Williams Realty" or "from JayBensonHomeSales.com" after a brief description of the subject.  An example of this would be Subject Line:  New Listings in West Bend - from Jay Benson, Keller Williams
3. Send content that people want.  People argue about what types of emails our prospects want to see.  Some people send recipes and DIY tips while others say you should stick to business and Real Estate related topics.  It is up to you to decide but the more relevant and the more valuable your email content, the less likely you will end up on a "this is Spam" list.
4. Sign-up for an email monitoring program or service and review your reports to monitor your subscriber feedback.  For example: TalkFusion provides data on opens, clickthroughs, email replies, unsubscribes, and Spam complaints for every video email you send.
5. Encourage your prospects to put your email address in their address book, whitelist, trusted sender list or approved sender list (whatever the name may be in their email client).
6. Understand how email filters work and avoid the pitfalls:
   1. Avoid "spam-like words" like Free, guarantee, credit card, work at home, investment, etc
   2. Avoid RED text: Its a bit load and can be difficult to read, but it is also a Spam tactic that may draw the attention of a content-based Spam filter.
   3. All Capital Letters:  Not only is this a great way to scare a prospect away, it also tips off Spam filters.  
   4. Excessive Punctuation !!! ??? $$$$$:  This action is likely to trip email filters.  Use descriptive words instead of symbols and you'll increase your professional image and your chances of getting past the Spam filters!!!
   5. Don't leave from address blank:  Just like using your brand here, leaving it blank will flag your email.  Don't waste this valuable real estate (pun intended).
   6. Try not to use misleading subject lines: make sure the subject line matches the content of the email.  Not only does this help avoid the Spam basket, but it also avoids disappointed or frustrating your prospect.  It may also give the impression you are being deceptive.

According to DoubleClick 68% of consumers indicate they have made purchases online after receiving email, and a discount was a compelling factor for making an immediate purchase.  So we know people are looking at email marketing and that it has an effect on the reader, especially if the subject/content is on their mind.  Like buying or selling a home!  In fact,a AOL survey has shown that 78% of consumers stated they would "look forward" to receiving any type of email from a business they frequent.

So don't lose faith with your email marketing.  In fact, I recommend you double-down and take it to the next level!  Separate yourself from your competition AND from all the other email marketers with Video Emails.  Video is the craze of the days and will be for years to come!  Video keeps people attention and improves content memory and brand recognition.  Why not implement it into your email marketing plan?  Check it out at www.Connect3in1.com