The From Line: Recent Comments

Comment on Email Service Providers' Dirty Little Secret

Elie Ashery — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:57:29 GMT

Per my previous comment, the broad stroke is meant for ESPs of all sizes. True, most ESPs won't tolerate such practices however given the competitive nature of the industry a number of sales managers seems to let these rogue senders "slip" through the cracks to meet their monthly goals. Again, not all, but too many!

Comment on Email Service Providers' Dirty Little Secret

Elie Ashery — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:51:28 GMT

Unfortunately I have seen this practice with ESPs of all sizes. Whoever you decide to work with, just make sure you insist on a unique IP address on a low risk IP block with all authentication protocols implemented correctly.

Comment on My Prediction on RSS Adoption Was Dead Wrong

Karen Price — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:45:48 GMT

Hilarious! I appear to be one of the few marketers (and even the tech folks) that has implemented RSS.

Comment on Email Service Providers' Dirty Little Secret

Karen Price — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:48:44 GMT

So, should I consider the larger ESPs don't need the big checks? Or would there be better logic in using a small/medium ESP that is much more focused on its customers and perhaps doing the "put the wrongdoers on a different server"?

Comment on Email Service Providers' Dirty Little Secret

EmailKarma.net — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:25:12 GMT

Your painting a broad stroke here and calling out an entire group of industry players for something that only a few will actually tolerate. I know several well placed and large ESPs that will not tolerate such practices, and in some cases would prefer not to do any business with senders like those your talking about.

Such lists are informally found and often more of a verbal conversation between a number of people at various ESPs; Heads us XYZ will be looking for a new home shortly, or "What do you know about ACB, you used to send for them what happened?"

Also with third party tools now available for reputation checks (Habeas/Return Path) reviewing the mailing history and sources for companies are easier then ever to find and evaluate. It's like having an impartial point of view into the mailer's practices.

The trick is getting your sales people to say "No" to business once and a while.

Comment on Is Ken Magill Reading My Mind or My Blog?

Pam Scott Taylor — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:08:45 GMT

blah

Comment on A Wake Up Call For Email Marketing Newbies

Ryan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:16:21 GMT

You have a very unique writing style. We have similar senses of humor. Just thought I'd post a link for newbs in email marketing to The Email Marketing Kit over at SitePoint. It's a good place to start with Email marketing:

http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/c6ac756/3/84

Comment on Email Tries to Undermine Social Networking in Politics

Ranjit Mathoda — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:17:22 GMT

You may find my blog post on Obama, social networking and the coming Digital Presidency of interest: http://mathoda.com/archives/189

Comment on What Ever Happened To Email Formalities?

Amber — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:23:30 GMT

Dear Mr. Elie,
I agree with you. Most emails have rude or inconsiderate content, and as a CEO, I believe that whoever emails you should have a sense of respect! I'm sure that many business leaders wonder if the world today is becoming more arrogant each year. However, I do not believe that the number of ignorant people are growing, just that we are growing in more contact with these people. I am merely a student in Texas, and if I were in your position, I would feel the urge to simply reply to those emails, "Please re-write this in a more formal manner. Perhaps a greeting and farewell would satisfy..."
Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope it helps alleviate some anger that may bottle up from those type of emails you receive everyday.

Best Wishes,
Amber Turner

Comment on The Death of Foward to A Friend

dave — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:19:58 GMT

Good article! Clients love to ask for FTAF because in some ways it passes the buck. The viral potential is important, but we should focus on creating emails that are so valuable/funny/thought-provoking that users will forward the email using whatever means possible. My experience with having a FTAF link has been a .02% click rate on a newsletter that is both informative and has product specials. I believe, but can't verify, that it is much lower than the actual forwards.

People will tend to use their own forward button because it's what they're used to and they don't have to type in the friend's address. I also believe people are becoming more aware of web tracking and information gathering, so they are reluctant to type their friend's address into a website's form.