Take a look at this interesting article on the differences between Email and Email Marketing when it comes to permission based emails.

Email Insider has raised some very useful points when commenting on the hot topic in a LinkedIn group on ‘whether collecting business cards at a networking events, meetings, social functions, etc, gives people/companies the right to add someone’s details to their database and start sending them their e-newsletter?’

The article first clarifies what Email and Email Marketing are, and then defines the differences between them and whether the above form of data capture is permission based or not for the sending of future emails/email campaigns.

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=130082

The number 1 rule to remember when creating your email campaign: simplicity is the key.

When it comes to the design of your email campaign, keep the content and layout simple.  The design of your email is important, from a readability, usability and branding viewpoint, but in the end the design is not the main element that will get you conversions.  Always remember the basics (your subject line, main heading, the width of the email, how it looks in the preview pane, etc.)  Avoid making the email look 'too busy' by not having too many messages or offers on there.

Be original

There’s a good chance that your recipients receive plenty of emails on a daily basis, so you need to distance yours from other emails by being original and different.  Making your email stand out you will help lead to increased attention.  Of course, this doesn’t mean you should forget the basics.

Gain attention

The initial purpose of your email template design is not to impress your recipients, but to grab their attention. Once you have caught their eye, it is the job of your content to do the rest.  Do not let your email design become too excessive: keep to a simple, effective design and make sure your content is visible and engaging.

Remember it’s the copy that sells, not the design.

Using a custom built template for your email campaigns has many benefits.  For a start, it reduces the creative building time process, and makes it possible for those without HTML knowledge and the necessary design skills to use a professional looking email template without having to know how to write HTML code.  Following on from that, optimal HTML code can mean the difference between inbox delivery success or  junk folder failure.  So why not use a custom built email template that has already been tested for optimal HTML structure?

Consistency is key. Using a custom email template will give your emails a familiar look and feel each time you send, helping your customers instantly recognise your brand. Using a custom built template for your company and brand is a great way to direct traffic straight to your website.  By providing links to key landing pages, you are making your products and services easily accessible to your recipients, as well as directing your customer to exactly where you want them go to.

In short, custom built email template designs at a minimum help improve delivery, promote brand exposure and increase traffic to your specific landing pages.  So, are you using a custom email template for your email marketing campaigns?

For more information on how to order your custom built email template, please visit http://www.26.co.uk/customEmailTemplate

You can now have Suite26 training at your office. Call 0845 313 0911 to book your session.

From the comfort and convenience of your own office you can now become an expert in the art of email marketing with Suite26.

Master how to:

• Import your contacts with ease

• Create and send targeted and personalised email campaigns in minutes

• Import your own customised template, logos, links and more to personalise your messages

• Track, follow-up and improve on your campaign performance

• Collect email addresses and build your database from your website

• And much more...

We guarantee you'll be able to create and send HTML emails, track responses and measure the effectiveness of your email campaigns to your customers. See firsthand how easy it is to use Suite26 to expand your business.

Call Ricky or Mark on 0845 313 0911 or email enquiries@26.co.uk to book or find out more about your One-2-One training session.

After the huge success of the last training seminars back in September, our in-house training sessions are back by popular demand. So we're inviting all customers to our Harlow offices to attend:

Free Suite26 Training Seminars
Every Wednesday throughout February 2010.

We've put together another jam-packed, interactive seminar, which teaches you everything you need to know to grow your business using email marketing.

It doesn't matter whether you're a complete novice or have some experience of email marketing, as we show you how Suite26 makes it quick and easy to:

• Manage multiple email marketing campaigns
• Create and send professional looking, personalised HTML emails with images and logos
• Import your existing contact lists and create targeted customer groups
• Track and analyse individual customer responses
• Measure and improve on your campaign performance.

Your seminar includes:

• Helpful How-To Guides
• 250 FREE email credits + 250 if you book early
• A Free Lunch

Venue: Unit 2, 6 West Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 2DU

Dates: Every Wednesday throughout February 2010

Running times: 11am - 2pm

Check out the full range of benefits you get when you attend a Suite26 training seminar.

Call 0845 313 0911 today to book your free place or to find out more about these seminars. Don't delay, book by Friday 8th January and receive 250 FREE extra credits.

Please feel free to invite anyone else you know that is looking to use email marketing to help develop their business.

Brand new free training seminars on Suite26 every Wednesday throughout September. 

Taking place at our Harlow offices, this three-hour interactive seminar is jam packed with detailed information, tips and know-how, which will equip you with everything you need to know to use email marketing to grow your business. Whether you’re an email marketing novice or expert, we’ll show you how Suite26 makes it quick and easy to:

-          Manage your email marketing campaigns.
-          Create and send professional, looking personalised html emails.
-          Import existing contact lists and create segmented customer groups.
-          Track and analyse individual customer responses AND
-          Measure campaign performance.

The Seminars are designed to fit in around your busy schedule and each free seminar comes with: 

-          Helpful Tips & FREE Support.
-          750 FREE Email Credits (1 credit = 1 email address you send to).
-          A FREE Lunch.

If you would like to attend one of our new Suite26 training seminars or wish find out more information, please contact us on 0845 313 0911 or sales@26.co.uk

Don’t delay, book your place by 7^th August 2009 and receive an additional 250 free email credits on top of the 750 email credits you earn for attending. That’s potentially 1000 free email credits for you.

If you are using images in your HTML e-mail campaigns you will need to ensure that these images are hosted somewhere on the Internet so that your recipients can see them.

Not everybody has access to a web server for hosting image files, but this is not a problem when you use Suite26.   You can use the built-in File Manager for storing any images for your campaigns.   Just ensure the images you upload are kept within the Public folder.

To make things easier the WYSIWYG editor includes a handy "Insert Image" button which will can link through to the File Manager, making it simple to add images into your e-mail campaigns.

You can find more further details in our Help Centre:

- Using the File Manager
- Adding images into your HTML e-mail campaigns (FCKeditor)
- Adding images into your HTML e-mail campaigns (TinyMCE)