kookinwithkale
- 19
Do It Yourself Email/Newsletter: Is It Worth It?
- Thread starter kookinwithkale
- Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the effectiveness of DIY email newsletters versus using dedicated services like iContact and MailChimp. Users noted that services like iContact improve email deliverability by navigating spam filters and providing analytics on open rates and clicks. While iContact offers comprehensive tracking, its costs increase with the number of contacts, prompting some users to consider alternatives like MailChimp, which is free for up to 500 contacts but lacks detailed engagement metrics. Ultimately, the choice between DIY and service-based newsletters depends on budget and desired analytics.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of email marketing principles
- Familiarity with email service providers (ESPs) like iContact and MailChimp
- Knowledge of email deliverability and spam filters
- Basic HTML for email formatting
- Research the features and pricing of MailChimp for email marketing
- Explore iContact's analytics capabilities and pricing structure
- Learn about email deliverability best practices
- Investigate alternative email marketing services to iContact
This discussion is beneficial for small business owners, marketers, and anyone interested in optimizing their email marketing strategy, particularly those weighing the pros and cons of DIY versus professional email services.
babywings76
Gold Member
- 7,266
A system like iContact professes that they can get your e-mails through a lot of the different e-mail system filters. When you send e-mails out yourself, the mail programs might recognize that you are mass mailing and mark it as spam. If you use a newsletter service like myemaildesigns.com or tastytidbits, they are made using HTML, and lots of e-mail providers will catch all that coding and mark it as spam. An e-mail service says that it has a higher success rate at getting through those filters. They have contracts with the providers. (At least that's what I recall being told.)The PWS has nice e-mails to send out, but the system is a nightmare to work with. I don't like how it doesn't keep some sort of record of who I've sent things to. Plus, iContact keeps track of who opened it and who clicked on things and what they clicked on. It's really nice to see who is actually reading my newsletter.But, the cost of iContact is starting to really bother me. Especially as I get more contacts, because the cost only gets more expensive.
kookinwithkale
- 19
esavvymom
Staff member
- 7,881
Amanda...Noora was saying she uses MailChimp. It's free for up to 500 contacts. Does about the same as iContact it looks like, but won't tell you WHO opened the emails/clicked. just how many. I don't know how it works as far as pulling in your newsletter service like from Mike or Joy- maybe she can shed more light on that.
NooraK
Gold Member
- 5,854
Well, I'm glad to shed light. Here are a couple of threads where we've discussed that service:
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f30/mailchimp-60202/
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f12/mailchimp-60293/
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f30/icontact-follow-up-59689/#post718648
Here is one that discusses alternatives in general:
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f12/alternatives-icontact-60277/
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f30/mailchimp-60202/
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f12/mailchimp-60293/
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f30/icontact-follow-up-59689/#post718648
Here is one that discusses alternatives in general:
http://www.chefsuccess.com/f12/alternatives-icontact-60277/
kookinwithkale
- 19
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of creating a DIY email/newsletter for my Pampered Chef business?
Creating a DIY email or newsletter can help you build a direct line of communication with your customers. It allows you to share recipes, product updates, promotions, and personal stories that can engage your audience. Additionally, it can enhance customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases by keeping your brand top of mind.
How much time does it take to create a DIY email/newsletter?
The time required to create a DIY email or newsletter can vary depending on your content and design. On average, it may take anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day to plan, write, and design a newsletter. However, once you establish a routine, it can become quicker and more efficient over time.
Is it cost-effective to do my own email/newsletter instead of hiring a professional?
Yes, creating your own email or newsletter can be cost-effective, especially for small businesses like those in direct sales. While hiring a professional can provide polished results, doing it yourself saves money and allows you to maintain complete control over your messaging and branding.
What tools can I use to create a DIY email/newsletter?
There are several user-friendly tools available for creating DIY emails and newsletters, such as Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and Canva. These platforms offer templates and drag-and-drop features that make it easy to design visually appealing content without needing extensive graphic design skills.
How can I measure the success of my DIY email/newsletter?
You can measure the success of your DIY email or newsletter by tracking metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Most email marketing platforms provide analytics that help you understand how your audience is engaging with your content, allowing you to make informed adjustments for future newsletters.
Similar Pampered Chef Threads
- cochef Pampered Chef Newsletters
Intrepid_Chef
- naekelsey Pampered Chef Newsletters
naekelsey
- PCJenni Pampered Chef Newsletters
PCJenni
- cspies Pampered Chef Newsletters
PampChefJoy
- jbdowd0798 Pampered Chef Newsletters
PampChefJoy
- cincychef Pampered Chef Newsletters
stacywhitlow
- lisasfuncooking Pampered Chef Newsletters
Admin Greg
- esavvymom Pampered Chef Newsletters
esavvymom
- amy07 Pampered Chef Newsletters
amy07
- Amanda_RI Pampered Chef Newsletters
pamperedlinda