SENDING YOUR NEWSLETTER

You made the decision to create and send a newsletter on a regular basis to your customers? This judicious choice will allow you to reach your clients effectively and inform them of the various promotions related to your institute. You have different options for sending your newsletter depending on the number of people on your mailing list and the budget you are willing to invest. Following this article, you will be in a better position to choose a software that meets the criteria and needs that you have set for yourself.

 

Your messaging service

If this is your very first mailing, it is very likely that your contact list is not yet very exhaustive. Until you have a database that will require a specialized email sending tool, know that your current email solution may very well meet your needs. Although the preparation takes a little longer than with specialized software, you will be able to send your newsletter to your customers in an efficient and professional manner.

 

Once your email is ready to be sent, enter the addresses of your clients one by one in the invisible email bar (CCI or BCC). This will ensure data confidentiality since no one will be able to see the complete list of clients who are part of the email list. In the sender’s box, simply enter your email address.

 

This simple and free method, however, requires an extra effort from you in order to collect the contact details of your new customers in order to enter them during each mailing.

 

In addition, it will be difficult for you to know who opened your newsletter and customers will not be able to unsubscribe from your mailings unless they notify you directly. Be aware that there are some tools that can be downloaded for free online and that help you to collect data during your various email campaigns. If you use the Gmail platform for example, « Mailtracker » will be of great use to you.

 

Email Marketing Solutions

Marketing solutions are certainly more comprehensive than your personal messaging service, but sometimes require an additional financial investment. However, they offer the possibility of creating tailor-made and much more personalized email templates. Once the template is created, it will only take you a few minutes to edit the information inside before you send the newsletter. Indeed, once downloaded, the database remains in the software and can be modified and adjusted at any time.

 

The definite advantage of email marketing solutions comes from the data they are able to provide after each mailing. You will therefore know in real time the opening rate of your newsletter, the most popular links as well as unsubscribes. These statistics will allow you to make interesting observations on the elements most favored by your customers, and thus adjust your offerings accordingly.

 

Before purchasing a license to use an email marketing solution, it is best to try a few versions. Most software sets prices based on the number of subscribers you have. So don’t hesitate to compare prices and features before making your final choice. Several companies offer 30-day free trial periods, why not take advantage of it!

 

Some of the more popular options include:

 

Cyberimpact

  • Platform offered in French and English
  • Online editor
  • Automated and programmable sending
  • Measured results and access to statistics
  • Free for the first 250 subscribers (subject to certain restrictions)

 

Mailchimp

  • Platform available in English only
  • Online editor
  • Automated and programmable sending
  • Measured results and access to statistics
  • Can be integrated with multiple sites and online programs
  • Free for the first 2000 subscribers (some features are not available with the free version)