Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you use outside, 3rd party, or purchased lists?
A: No. As a Constant Contact Business Partner, I am forbidden from using purchased lists to establish email marketing campaigns. Even if I wasn’t restricted, I probably wouldn’t use them anyway. There is a time and place for these types of marketing campaigns, but they are not our focus.
Q: Can you provide content for newsletters?
A: Yes. Once the editorial calendar and tone are established, I can provide all the content necessary for your newsletter.
Q: Can we use preexisting content (i.e blogs or white papers)
A: Certainly. Newsletters should be a forum for establishing your opinions and expertise with readers. As such, content that you have already invested time and mental energy in producing is a great source for the newsletter.
Q: What are the advantages of using an outside vendor to send my emails? Why don’t I simply send out the email from my desktop?
A: Email vendors provide a number of benefits-
· Bounce back management. Don’t spend the rest of the day fielding away messages, dedicated servers will field most automated messages.
· Statistics. Learn who opened your emails and what links they clicked on. This information provides insight into your customers and can help you better target the most interested and engaged customers.
· Professional templates. Vendors provide easily customizeable templates that will make your message stand out.
Q: Why is my Opt-In list smaller than my original list?
A: One of the downsides of making your list opt-in is that people may decide not to receive your emails. This can mean a much smaller email list, but the benefit is that those who do opt-in are much better qualified candidates for communication. They are much more likely to open and read your message because they have chosen to receive it. They will not treat it like unwanted spam, a frequent fate of unsolicited ‘blast’ emails.
Q: What types of companies do you work with?
A: Mostly, my clients tend to be small and medium sized businesses in straight-forward consumer focused industries. Although I am willing to speak with any type of company, for those in specialized and regulated industries such as Finance or Law, I cannot guarantee compliance with your industry’s rules. As such, these individuals need to be aware of these rules and make informed decisions about the risks and rewards of a communications program before they begin.
Q: Are you a web designer, graphic designer, or IT consultant?
A: No. However, I know some talented individuals in those fields that I’d be more than happy to introduce you to.
Q: How do you charge clients?
A: I charge per newsletter.
Q: Do I have to commit to a certain number of newsletters, or for a set time period?
A: No.
Q: Will you help me set up my vendor account?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I have to use Constant Contact?
A: No. Although I am a Business Partner and am most familiar with the Constant Contact interface and their policies, I can work with whatever vendor you choose.