Getting through the net
Article Date: Jun 22 2007As many as nine out of every ten emails sent are now blocked by spam filters, according to Hotmail. These simple tips should help you ensure that legitimate messages to customers are not lumped together with the billions of spam emails sent every day.
1. Be brief
In particular, avoid very long lines of text.
2. Keep it simple
Different fonts, words in upper-case letters and embedded images can all contribute to a higher spam score.
3. Avoid ‘spammy’ words
Aside from the obvious culprits like Viagra, Rolex and diet, beware words that often go with them such as enhanced, replica, quality, hard and stamina.
4. Check the sender’s email address
If it doesn’t match the name of the mail server it was sent from, your spam rating will shoot up.
5. Clean your email list
Sending emails to accounts that no longer exist could flag you as a spammer.
6. Don’t try to track opening
Tracking devices that report if an email has been opened can backfire: not only will virus checkers disable the tracker, but the fact it’s been detected will boost your spam score.
7. Test before you send
Send your email through as many spam filters as you can, including to Hotmail, AOL and Yahoo addresses, and see if it gets through.
8. Send emails in small batches
Don’t send tens of thousands of emails in one go.
To read about how mobile marketing can help your business, click here.
