What to Look for in Email List Management SoftwareHave you ever played with one of those squishy toys that oozes out wherever you apply pressure? It's funny, but trying to manage a large email list is a lot like playing with one of those toys. You think you've got a firm grip on the situation, and sploosh! The thing takes on a life of its own! Whole sections of your list are suddenly out of control, lost in cyberspace or howling to be removed.
There's hope for the frustrated email marketing manager, though. It comes in the form of list management software. There are some great packages available, so let's walk through the five features one of these packages must contain in order to tame your list.Must-Have List Management FeaturesMust-Have Number One: The first absolute requirement for any email marketer who plans to grow his business is that the list management application is web-based. Sure, you could load a package onto your assistant's computer, and work from there if he happens to be out of town. But what happens if he confesses, right after his computer crashes, that he hasn't backed up his data in months?
Having a web-based application to store, sort and make sense of your precious email list is simply a no-brainer. Your data is safely stored on offsite servers, assuring continuity as you hire a new assistant! You'll also have the freedom to actually leave the office from time to time, knowing you can launch a campaign from the beach if you need to.
That offsite storage should also grow with your company. Avoid buying software that requires constant upgrades to expand; you risk losing your data and who wants to hassle with software in a growth spurt?
Here's one more thought...what if you choose not to have an office at all? Many online entrepreneurs are working virtually, and so are their support people. Using a web-based application is perfect for those forward-thinking folks.
Must-Have Number Two: Let's get back to our list of essential features. The second vital function in an email list management package is the ability to sort, categorize and create segments of your list for targeted email advertising. What good is a cumbersome database filled with thousands of names if you can't sort them into infinite combination's?
Staying nimble is crucial in online marketing. Buyers aren't linked to a physical location, and can buy from whomever they please. That's why you simply must be able to appeal to them strategically, using email to market the right products in the right language with the right images. Great email list management software will let you filter your lists down into whatever combination's you need for your next great targeted email marketing and optin email advertising campaigns.
Two more related function you should insist on are, 1)an automated process that creates the link added to your messages allowing a recipient to be removed from your list, and 2)an automated process to remove those people, as well as any bounced, undeliverable or blacklisted names, from your list.
Must-Have Number Three: The best email list management applications have tools built-in that let you create message templates for quick campaign creation. If you don't think this is essential, imagine having to insert your logos, signatures, product images and hyperlinks every single time you create an autoresponder series.
If you're like most email marketers, you don't want to waste valuable time doing the nuts and bolts every time you communicate with your list. You want templates available to open, insert marketing text into and send to your list segment, without a major production.
Look for the ability to customize your templates, too. It won't do you much good to send marketing messages that look exactly like your competitors! Your application should supply a nicely-formatted framework in which to compose your own templates. Cookie cutter applications should always be avoided.
Must-Have Number Four: In order to build your list, you'll need to have opt-in forms on your websites. These forms, whether they're a part of pop-unders or layered ads, must link back correctly to your email databases to be effective. The best list management applications actually create the code to be embedded in those forms so they'll interface well with your list.
Must-Have Number Five: Having talked about all these other functions, we're down to the absolute essential: the ability to send messages in whatever sequence you need. Email marketing is like football; it requires great timing and a well-trained team. If one of your team members is a clunky email application that's constantly dropping the ball, you won't win many games.
State-of-the-art email list management software lets you fully automate every email campaign. Once you've created your messages, decide which group receives them and set the sequence; the process should then be automatic. You should be able to walk away and know your list is receiving your message series in the right order on the right dates.
If you've read this article and are wondering why you haven't heard about this essential email marketing tool, it's time to do some research. Price is important, but finding a package with these indispensable features should also be a high priority. With the right email list management software, your life as an email marketer can become a whole lot easier! Get Web Site Promotion Using Targeted Email Marketing & Email Advertising for Your Business Now!
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