We all hate spam and get way too much of it ? agreed? Now that we have that out of the way it is important to realize that in everyone's zest to minimize their spam, we are deleting legitimate e-mails ? and those e-mail could be YOUR business messages! Two factors are at play - not reviewing your trash before you empty it and sending e-mail with indicators that trip spam filters.
When sending business e-mail, it is critical that you make certain efforts so that your e-mail will not be inadvertently, incorrectly perceived as spam. Several times each day, legitimate e-mail makes its way into my Junk/Trash due to the sender doing or not doing certain things that trigger most spam filters. These are issues you need to be aware of so that your e-mail has its best chance to make it to its intended party.
Your initial contact and making sure your e-mail gives the perception of a serious business entity can make the difference between being read or being trashed. Here is a simple checklist of things you need to put in practice so that your e-mails are not mistakenly identified as spam and deleted before read:
=> Always include an appropriate, short and accurate SUBJECT:. Many times spam does not have a SUBJECT: or it is malformed without appropriate text. Many e-mail programs automatically send subjectless e-mail to Junk/Trash. You also want to avoid using the words: hello, hi, help, new or the recipient's name or e-mail address as doing so can trigger spam filters.
=> Refrain from using common terms abused by spammers in your subject and/or first paragraph of your email. You know what they are - you see them every day. Many spam filters track these terms and may inadvertently send your email right to Trash.
=> Type your subject with appropriate capitalization and structure. All small case or all caps gives the impression of being spam (and lack of online savvy/education).
=> Make sure your full name, not your e-mail address, is formally displayed in the FROM: field. Example: Jane A. Doe is correct ? not jane a doe, or Jane or janeadoe@yourisp.com. FROM: fields with all lower case, only your first name or lack of punctuation indicates a lack of online savvy that is typical of most spammers which signals that your e-mail could also be spam. Not using your last name gives the impression you have something to hide. You always want to use your full and formal name in all business e-mail.
=> Refrain from using any formatting just for the sake of doing so. Formatting can also trigger spam filters if not done properly. Think company letterhead. If you wouldn't have your name in big, blue, bolded letters on company letterhead do not do it in your business e-mail.
=> Unannounced attachments are viewed suspiciously. Do not send attachments without a specific request to do so and they are expected. If you are going to send attachments over 200K, show extraordinary courtesy and ask the other side FIRST when would be the best time to send your collateral. Then follow through and send it at that prearrange time so the recipient on the other side is available to download your files and keep their inbox clear.
=> When using any sort of spam software or filtering system, before you purge your trash, it doesn't hurt to take a quick peak to see if any e-mail is in fact from folks you know or recognize.
By keeping the above issues in mind, you have the best chance of your e-mail getting to the person on the other side and for business e-mail that could make the difference between making a sale ? or not.
About the Author:
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored Technology Muse who has played @ http://www.theistudio.com for over a decade. Check out her popular Netiquette site @: http://www.theistudio.com
I'm sure I'm not the only person on the planet... Read More
In today's spam-filled email world, it's sometimes VERY difficult to... Read More
I'm sure you find spam just as frustrating and annoying... Read More
Spam. You've all heard of the crazy pink meat in... Read More
For years I didn't worry much about spam.But lately it's... Read More
Spam. Those annoying, time-consuming emails that clog your Inbox and... Read More
Even being as careful as possible with my email address,... Read More
We all hate spam and get way too much of... Read More
Spam is out of control! I guess that would be... Read More
About a month ago I had the privilege of giving... Read More
Spam, as defined in the context of computers, the Internet... Read More
2004 was really a year when the whole subject of... Read More
Until recently, spam has been an annoyance, a definite load... Read More
While we all admit that unsolicited commercial email is a... Read More
If you've been around the interenet any length of time... Read More
Phishing is rapidly becoming on the largest threats to your... Read More
Although there still seem to be some differences among the... Read More
No. I'm not talking here about the outdoor activity enjoyed... Read More
If you're anything like me, you're pretty sick of it,... Read More
Spammers get email addresses from web pages using programs called... Read More
The lifeblood of the spammer is email. They need to... Read More
They're sneaky. And stealthy. They're quiet and mostly unobtrusive, but... Read More
Email is rapidly becoming the standard means of communication among... Read More
Spam can be a lot more damaging than you might... Read More
In 1998, nearly 10% of all email traffic on the... Read More
Buffalo Grove cheapest limo ..Until recently, spam has been an annoyance, a definite load... Read More
If you are buried in SPAM then you're not alone.... Read More
One of our Australian clients sent out a campaign using... Read More
6 August, 2004: Polesoft Inc., home of Professional anti spam... Read More
Although there still seem to be some differences among the... Read More
2004 was really a year when the whole subject of... Read More
While the Federal Trade Commission is busy fighting over definitions... Read More
Death by spam is now possible with a new device... Read More
I imagine you have seen, heard about, or already know... Read More
News last week that Internet service provider Verizon settled its... Read More
In 1998, nearly 10% of all email traffic on the... Read More
Will other spammers take heed? Don't count on it.Jeremy Jaynes... Read More
Are you tired of spam stealing your time, your money,... Read More
Google is engaged in a war. It is a war... Read More
The temptation among internet marketers to SPAM is greater than... Read More
Anyone who uses email knows what Spam is!It's annoying and... Read More
Like everybody who will ever read this, I get spam... Read More
Most of us have opened our email program and found,... Read More
Each day we all face the same challenge. Spam. It... Read More
I'm sure you find spam just as frustrating and annoying... Read More
As the flood of spam increases end users are looking... Read More
About a month ago I had the privilege of giving... Read More
Effectively stopping spam over the long-term requires much more than... Read More
RSS is the answer to the Spam epidemic of the... Read More
A friend of mine received a chilling email message from... Read More
Spam Blocking |