First, let’s define exactly what “spam email” means. Spam is an actual word in the dictionary – Merriam-Webster defines it as “unsolicited usually commercial e-mail sent to a large number of addresses”. The software industry’s response to the mind-boggling numbers of daily spam is the “Spam Filter. The filter reviews incoming emails, searches for certain criteria that could indicate spam, and then moves the email to a special folder. Just take a look in your Spam or Junk folder. In my AOL folder right now is an email titled “C_A_N..A D I..A-N_-- M-E_D I C..A-T-I-O N..S-“ and “Congratulation! You have won $850.000.00 only!” By the way, I’m not sure what currency has two decimal points in their numbering system? ($850.000.00?) or what language drops off the ‘s’ in Congratulations?
So, how can you keep that great marketing email you are crafting from falling into a spam folder, never to be seen by your intended recipients? Follow some email best practices:
Finally, you should understand the requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act, a law that defines rules for commercial email and gives recipients the right to stop you from emailing them. The law also defines penalties for violations, which could be up to $16,000 for each email that violates these rules. The rules are pretty clear:
Go ahead and get that email going! Following email best practices and CAN-SPAM guidelines will potentially enhance the results of your email campaign. Good luck! And if you’d like to have more time to focus on your business, consider working with FrankCrum. We’ll take care of the administrative burdens and let you work on the things that are most important to you. Learn more about how we can help.