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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What
is "opt-in" direct email?
"Opt-in" direct email is the practice of sending commercial e-mail
to recipients that HAVE agreed to receive messages on a particular subject.
Opt-in lists fully disclose the list owner's commercial purposes and allow
list members to access, modify, or delete their personal information at any
time.
How
does opt-in differ from unsolicited bulk email (spam)?
Bulk emailing (which is commonly referred to as "spam" or
"spamming") is the practice of transmitting mass quantities of
e-mail to large lists of "unqualified" email addresses. These lists
are harvested without the recipients' knowledge or consent from newsgroups,
chat rooms, Web sites, and member directories. Therefore, these lists are
generally less expensive than opt-in lists.
Why
should I use opt-in email vs. bulk email lists?
Opt-in lists offer marketers a "politically correct" way to reach
their target audience on the net. While using bulk e-mail lists is cheaper,
the practice in itself is extremely controversial. You must be very careful
when considering using bulk e-mail to market your wares on the Internet. While
the practice itself is NOT illegal, it can lead to some unexpected and
unwanted results. For example, some of your recipients may decide to
"flame" you by clogging up your e-mail system with angry responses
to your marketing message. Other recipients will complain to your Internet
Service Provider, who may decide to discontinue your account.
Where
do our lists come from?
We have more than 3,000 opt-in lists with more than 16 million unique names to
choose from. All of our email addresses are ALL opt-in from a variety of
quality web sites, banner ads, e-surveys & e-zine lists.
Can
I rent the lists and send my messages myself?
No. Our guarantee to the opt-in clients is to maintain a level of integrity
and control over what is broadcast to them via e-mail. We would not have any
control over releasing a list of e-mail addresses for individuals to do with
as they wish. That is why we send your message to the list participants for
you. Of course, you put your contact information in your message so recipients
can buy your products and services.
How
much will the service cost?
Your mailing cost will vary depending on the lists selected and the number of
recipients you choose to mail to. Our lists cost as little as .10 cents per
name rented. These prices are determined by the organizations that compile and
maintain these lists for us. There is no charge for sending your email
message. However, there is a minimum order requirement of $1000 or 5,000 names
per list.
What
is included in the service?
Our service includes:
- Setting-up an account for
you so that we can track which lists you have rented and
when you have mailed to them.
- Preparing your message for
sending via the Internet.
- Tracking and Marketing
Reports
- Phone Support
- Archiving
- Selection of a list based
on criteria provided by you.
- Sending your marketing
message via the Internet to the opt-in participants on
your selected lists.
Do
you give credit for undeliverable email addresses?
You may receive a few "undeliverable" responses after your mailing.
The percentage will be extremely small, as we are continually cleaning our
lists. We are not set up to credit a few pennies or even a buck or two, and
will not be issuing credits for those few addresses. In the world of
snail-mail lists, a 5 percent undeliverable rate is acceptable. Our lists do
not approach even a 5 percent undeliverable rate!
When
will my e-mail message be sent?
Your email message will generally be sent to the email list within two
business days. Most messages are sent Monday through Friday evenings by 7:00
PM (Eastern Time).
How
will I know that my messages have been sent out?
A copy of your e-mail marketing message will be sent to your e-mail address
when your campaign is distributed and you'll receive a delivery confirmation
report.
What
results can I expect?
While, response rates to your mailing will vary by the offer and your email
message/copy, sending targeted opt-in email typically results in a 3%-7%
response rate.
How
large can my message be?
There is no limit in length. However, it is important to remember that people
do not want to read long blocks of text so it is better to keep your message
short. Please visit our EMAIL CAMPAIGN TIPS for some pointers.
Are
there any other restrictions on the message I can send?
Yes. We are anti-spam. Therefore:
-
No
chain letters.
-
Your
message must not encourage people to send unsolicited e-mail to others.
-
The
message must be appropriate for the list to which you are sending. While a
list of lawyers might seem like a good place to send your golf club offer,
we can send golf club offers only to those who have specifically requested
it. The lawyers' list is not appropriate in this case.
Can
I send HTML or Flash email?
Yes, we can send HTML, Flash and plain text messages only for readability
across all platforms.
EmailMaestro.com
sounds great - how can I test?
Given the size and diversity of our
databases we have found that a test of approximately 5% of the file (100,000
to 200,000 emails) yields statistically reliable results. Contact us and we'll
set up a test for you.
How
do we know it will work?
There are no guarantees but over half or our advertisers (72%) who test come
back. Still, that means 28% don't. Most tests that fail are not a total loss -
companies just fell short of their ROI goal. Contact us and we can discuss the
merits of your situation. If the odds of success seem less than positive we
will tell you. At EmailMaestro.com, we believe in advertising that works...
for everyone involved.
How
does EmailMaestro.com work for branding?
EmailMaestro.com enhances branding efforts in two ways. First, the opt-in
message functions as a fantastic traffic builder and delivers "opt-in
responsive" individuals to your site. Second, the message also offers
impact opportunities that enable marketers to heighten their awareness level
among "opt-in responsive" individuals. A bi-monthly presence with
opt-in e-mail is a powerful tool for building consumer awareness of a
business.
How
do I include a hotlink to my web site?
You can include as many hotlinks as
you'd like. To include your Web site address, type in your URL proceeded with
http://. For example: http://www.emailmaestro.com.
To make your e-mail address "clickable," add mailto: in front of the
e-mail address. For example: mailto:sales@emailmaestro.com
Why
advertise with an industry leader like EmailMaestro.com?
There is only one question to ask yourself when deciding whether you should
advertise with any medium, and that is, does this particular form of
advertising work? Advertising with opt-in e-mail works. It works better than
any form of advertising you can do on the Internet and it is cost effective to
boot.
Who
can I contact should I have questions?
You can contact a marketing specialist by emailing sales@emailmaestro.com
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