Newsletters That End up in Junk Mail- How Do You Fix That?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the challenges of ensuring newsletters sent via iContact do not end up in recipients' junk mail or spam folders. Despite a low bounce rate of less than 5% for 80 emails sent, the open rate remains at only 25%, indicating potential issues with email deliverability. Participants suggest adding the sender's email address to the safe sender list and training email clients, such as Gmail, to recognize the newsletters as non-spam. Additionally, sending newsletters on Tuesdays is recommended to improve open rates, as many users clean their inboxes on Mondays.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of email marketing platforms like iContact
  • Knowledge of email deliverability factors
  • Familiarity with safe sender lists and email client settings
  • Insights into optimal email sending times for engagement
NEXT STEPS
  • Research best practices for email deliverability with iContact
  • Learn how to effectively use safe sender lists in various email clients
  • Explore strategies for optimizing email open rates
  • Investigate the impact of sending times on email engagement
USEFUL FOR

Email marketers, small business owners, and anyone looking to improve newsletter engagement and deliverability rates.

esavvymom
Staff member
Messages
7,881
I've sent out two newsletters in the last month. I use i-Contact, so I can track them. Out of 80, I've had less than 5 bounce back on the last email. But my "Open" percentage is still about 25%.. I'm not complaining mind you...that's good. But there are more than 50 that have not been opened at all.

Now, I read somewhere that if their email client doesn't use HTML and the email is text (goodness, I hope not many are like that- they'd look horrible probably!), that it won't return the open-status to i-contact.

But I have one of my email addresses as a recipient so I can make sure I get the newsletters OK, and I it gets dumped into my junk mail/ spam folder- every time. Is there a way to avoid this?


Just curious what others have done to improve your stats with the newsletter.
 
esavvymom said:
...... it gets dumped into my junk mail/ spam folder- every time. Is there a way to avoid this? .....
Really? I thought using iContact or Constant Contact was supposed to alleviate the junk mail status? Dang! I was going to try it out too - that was my main motive :(
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Well, I don't think any one can eliminate it completely - it depends on the email service provider they use. I can send an email to someone and just because it has my PWS link in it, it gets dumped in that folder...at least that happens with my own accounts- I have Road Runner and Gmail...both can get dumped into the spam folder.But I know I've seen folks include things either in their email (which seems silly to me to put it IN the email itself) or somewhere else about adding the email address to their safe sender list in their email program. So I'd say "Add "[email protected]" to your safe sender list to insure you receive my email newsletter" or something. I'm just not sure if that is something I should do, or if anyone had any other advice on this.
 
That line is already at the bottom of Mike's designs. It does help to have the email address in your address book or 'safe sender list'. You might also need to 'train' your email program. I know in gmail you can click on something that says this is not SPAM. All future emails from that address should then go into your inbox instead of your junk box.
 
Some email systems don't return read statistics to systems like Constant Contact or iContact. So your read counts might be higher than you think. And sometimes people delete them without opening because they just don't feel like reading it. I've heard that it's better to send email newsletters on Tuesday than on Monday (or the weekend) because many people only access their email from work. And when they get in to work on Monday morning, the first thing they do is to clean out the inbox, often without reading things. Your message may be caught up in that.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do to prevent my newsletters from ending up in junk mail?

To prevent your newsletters from landing in junk mail, ensure that you have a clean mailing list with verified email addresses. Encourage your subscribers to add your email address to their contacts or whitelist it. Additionally, use a reputable email marketing service that follows best practices for deliverability.

How can I improve my email content to avoid spam filters?

To improve your email content, avoid using spammy words and phrases such as "free," "guarantee," or excessive exclamation marks. Keep your content relevant and engaging, and ensure that you have a balanced text-to-image ratio. Including a clear unsubscribe link can also help maintain a good sender reputation.

Is it helpful to ask subscribers to check their spam folders?

Yes, it can be helpful to remind subscribers to check their spam or junk folders, especially if they haven't received your newsletters. Encourage them to mark your emails as "not spam" to improve future deliverability. This can also help train their email provider's filters to recognize your emails as legitimate.

What role does email authentication play in deliverability?

Email authentication, including SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, plays a crucial role in improving your email deliverability. These protocols help verify that your emails are coming from a legitimate source, reducing the chances of being marked as spam. Make sure to set these up correctly through your email service provider.

How often should I send newsletters to maintain good deliverability?

Sending newsletters consistently, but not too frequently, is key to maintaining good deliverability. A common practice is to send newsletters once a week or bi-weekly. This keeps your audience engaged without overwhelming them, which can lead to unsubscribes or spam complaints.

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