A few posts ago I mentioned one of the things I was slowly coming around to (against my better judgment) was reverting to email as a communications tool. I prefer social media, but the numbers don't lie - more interaction occurs from email than just about any other online tool, even Facebook.
I am of an age that email is a faithful companion. I don't mind going back to it if it means improving communications. I'm on the fence about it mainly because I don't like having an overstuffed inbox myself and am constantly looking for ways to cut down on receiving them. Whenever I see advice urging us to use email more as part of our branding/marketing, I want to say, 'Didn't you get the email? People HATE email!' Maybe I'm in the minority, so I'm willing to keep an open mind.
The two email managers I tried out were FlashIssue and MailChimp. I chose them mainly because they offer free versions. In addition, I wanted to spruce up the weekly email into a more professional-looking newsletter.
Please note: features may have changed between the time I tried these products and the publication of this post.
FlashIssue
FlashIssue is an app that works within my Gmail program. Once installed, it appears as one of the mail folders. When you want to send a group email, you just click on the FlashIssue folder. A screen within Gmail opens with all the gadgets you need to create or replicate a quality newsletter.
FlashIssue has several templates to get the process started. You can move bits around, play with fonts, add photos, and so forth. I also really like the feature of clipping articles as you browse the Internet, then saving them for plugging them into a future newsletter. Once plugged in, you get a nice-looking preview of the linked article including a photo if the article has one. FlashIssue also makes it easy to create and manage email lists, including hints on how to avoid spam filters. And of course you can schedule emails in advance.
However. A couple of weeks into using and enjoying FlashIssue, I got the dreaded warning that my free period was up and it was time to start paying for the service. That means it's time to start looking for another program!
MailChimp
MailChimp is a standalone program. It had more of a learning curve. I had to import or input my contacts. There are more templates to choose from. They also offer a scheduling feature in the free version. Unfortunately it doesn't have the cool web clipping feature, or if it does, I haven't discovered it yet - it may be offered in a paid version. However, it does have some amazing analytics. I know when someone opens their weekly email. I know when they unsubscribe. I know exactly what percentage gets opened each week (around 50%). I know when emails bounce. I know when I have entered a duplicate contact. It is really quite amazing considering I have the free version.
Both programs create a much more polished newsletter than my amateurish emails. And I like using a program that helps me stay out of the spam filters. If FlashIssue had a truly free version, I would probably still be using it. But MailChimp just feels more solid and reliable, so I am glad I was motivated to look beyond FlashIssue. Plus, I love the little Rock On! graphic whenever I schedule a newsletter. It's the little things.
Now that I have the means to create some regular emails, on to generating the content that will attract subscribers. Who wants to be first?
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