Customer Spotlight: iwerk

By: Melonie Mottice
Senior Marketing Strategist

Welcome to our first Customer Spotlight!  Each post you’ll have the chance to read about one of our customers that are making huge email marketing strides using JangoMail.  Learn what features they use most and what you can do to improve your own campaigns.  This week, I’ll introduce you to iwerk, a software development and technical services company.

I had the pleasure of interviewing April Young, iwerk’s Delivery and New Business Manager.

Company: iwerk Industry: software development and                 technical services Website: www.iwerk.com Contact: www.iwerk.com/connect Favorite Features: custom reporting,                sub-accounts, and automation

Here’s a little background about the company: iwerk, is a software development company specializing in customer software development since 1991.  From websites to large database applications, the company operates as a digital arm, offering their clients full technical services.

A lot of iwerk’s clients are marketing agencies that need help with online promotions.

“Clients come to us because they’ve filled in a large project and they don’t have the resources to build it, so they make it pretty, and we make it work,” said April.

That’s where JangoMail comes in.

“Email marketing is a very integral part of our projects and JangoMail has been amazingly dependable,” she states.  “These are not small clients, these are big brands and everything has to function.”

April and her team use JangoMail’s transactional and broadcast service.

They work with a lot of clients that have specific needs that many other email service providers will not accommodate.

Here at JangoMail, however, we were willing to work with them.

When shopping for an ESP, April explains that finding one that could accommodate the needs of her clients was a challenge, until she started working with JangoMail.  In addition to our sub-accounts feature, custom reporting and automation were necessities.

“Usually one dev. (developer) is working on one project, and one is working on the other, so it’s very nice to be able to give them separate logins,” she said.

April’s clients do a lot of reporting.  She grants them access to the JangoMail dashboard so they can pull whatever numbers and stats needed each week without interfering with another account.

In order for any email campaign to be successful, JangoMail users must use quality lists that people register or opt-in for, not cold marketing emails.  JangoMail has a strict anti-spam policy to maintain the sending reputation of our clients, which is key to any successful email campaign.

In April’s case, the proof is in the pudding, well, campaign reporting.  She has some of the highest open rates we’ve tracked to date.

“We’ve had promotions where the email really is the next step in the registrant’s journey,” she adds.

Once a person registers for a contest or promotion, they receive an email with a confirmation code and they are redirected back to a website to enter the code in.  Without that automation, the promotion will not work.

To learn more about April and the iwerk team, check out their website at www.iwerk.com.  You can also contact them directly here.  They have offices in Detroit, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

New February Features: Updated Send and Edit Buttons, Message Filtering, and Help Center with Live Chat

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

At JangoMail, 2014 has already been a busy year!  This month we added four new features to our platform. Two of them are currently live, while the other two will be available this Thursday, February 20th.

Here's our new February Features:

1.  Send Button: Starting this Thursday, you no longer have to copy a campaign to send your message. The send button is now available under all saved campaigns so you can send at any time! Just to be safe, the confirmation window will still appear once you press send.

2.  Edit Button: To make more room, we moved our edit button over to the right under the operations column. This update will also go live Thursday.

3.  Message Filtering: If you haven't already noticed, you can filter your messages. Press the filter button and complete the form to set your filter properties. You can easily locate a specific message by Campaign Id, Custom Campaign Label, Job Type, Subject, Recipients and Send dates. The filter notification will appear if you have a filter turned on. Clear the filter to view all of your messages.

4.  Help Center with Live Chat: Click the black Support button on our homepage to access our new Help Center. You can chat live with one of our experts Monday through Friday, 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. EST. From this menu you can also submit a support request.

We hope you enjoy our new features and we're here to help if you have any questions.  Please don't hesitate to call us at 855-709-4099, or submit a ticket at jangomail.com/support.

- The JangoMail Team

Try Our New JangoMail Smart Templates For The Holidays

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

Hi JangoMail Users!

Gear up for the holidays with our new templates! We have 150 designs to choose from. Impress your subscribers with our striking designs all year long. Be sure to check out our new template menu and editing tips, which cover the basics. Before you know it, you’ll be an email marketing pro, just like Jack!

Follow these steps to get started:

1.  Go to  Messages and  click the blue + New Message button.

2.  Select the JangoMail Smart Template button.

3.  Use the templates as a starting point for your email design.

4.   Browse the template categories in the new menu. Looking for the original Smart Templates? You can find them in the Responsive, RSS to Email, and Simple tabs. 

5.  Choose a favorite by clicking the star at the top of the design you like. To view all of your favorites, click the Favorites tab in the template menu.

6.  To see a full preview of a template, click on the Computer Screen Icon.

7.  Click the Right Arrow to choose a template.

8.  Edit away!  Add in your text, logo, and images.  Each template contains editing tips that will teach you how to customize your message.

9.  Good or bad, email any feedback to marketing@us.jangomail.com.

For any questions, contact our support team by phone at 1-888-465-2646 or submit a Support Request.

Sincerely,

The JangoMail Team

New JangoMail Smart Template Designs, Menu, and Editing Tips!

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

Hold on to your email hats, our new JangoMail Smart Templates are live!  We are pleased to announce 150 brand new email templates, a new template menu, and editing tips.

Sending eye-catching emails that will grab the attention of your readers is easier than ever!  Navigate through our easy-to-use dashboard and select a template that will best capture your email message.

Templates are grouped by theme in the menu.  From featured designs, greetings and holiday ecards, to mobile, and newsletters, we have something for everyone.

Presentation is everything! We've worked hard to bring you the best new layouts, which you can fully customize. Upload your pictures, logos, and other graphics in a snap.  Adding new text is only a click away, and you can mark your favorites by clicking on the star button.

Our new templates are easy to use and customize.  Each template has filler text with these editing tips to help you along the way:

• For best results, only use TinyMCE to edit this template. To switch to the TinyMCE editor, click the Pencil Icon in the upper right corner and choose TinyMCE.

• To replace an image: First, make sure any image that you upload is the same size as the image that you replace in this template. You can check the original image size by right-clicking on the image and selecting Insert/edit image.  On the Appearance tab you can check and modify the Dimensions.  When you have finished with your changes make sure you press the green Update button. Note: The image size is defaulted to lock.  To unlock, deselect the Constrain Proportions box.

• To replace the image, first visit the Assets tab and upload your image. Then return to edit your message and right-click on the image and go to the Insert/edit image option.  The first tab is the General tab.  Here you can choose a new image by clicking the Image list drop-down button and locating your new file within the list.  After your image is selected, press the green Update button.  Note: Once your new image is selected your Image description and Title will appear.  Make sure you also update your Image URL as needed.

• To change a background color: Hover over the section you want to change and right click. Choose Cell > Table cell properties.  On the Advanced tab, enter in the HTML color code in the Background color field.  To save, press the green Update button.
• To change the overall background color, you'll go through the same steps, but under Table Properties. Select the table and right click.  Choose Table Properties.  On the Advanced tab, enter in the HTML color code in the Background color field.  To save, press the green Update button.

• Don't add images that are wider than the table they are inside of. To check the table's width, right click inside the table.  Go to Table properties and check the width in the first tab (General). If it is in pixels (you'll see a whole number rather than a percentage), make sure your image width is not any wider than that number of pixels.  Modify if needed and click the green Update button to save your changes.

• Don't paste from Microsoft Word or Outlook: The format does not carry over properly. Use a simple text editor like Notepad to copy and paste.

• Choosing a favorite template is different than saving a template:  You can choose a favorite, pre-designed template by clicking the star button at the top of the design you like. View your favorites by visiting the Favorites tab in the menu.
  
  
  
  
  
  If you decide to alter a design yourself to use on a regular basis, you can save it as your template when you are in edit mode. Go to the Settings tab and click Yes under the 'Mark as template' option.  It will be saved to your account with your personalized changes. You can access it when you click the blue New Message button.  Select the 'with my Templates' envelope to view all of your templates. The original version of the template will still be in the JangoMail Smart Template section.

• To create a link: Select the text that you want to link and click the chain link button in the middle of the second row of the editor. Enter your link URL and click the green Insert button to complete.

• Social Sharing Links:  You can add social sharing links.  Go above the editor, to the top right below the purple JangoMail header. Click the third button from the right, which has a computer screen icon on it.  Select Social Links from the drop-down menu and copy the HTML of your choice.  Navigate back down to the editor and press the HTML button.  Paste the Social Sharing HTML into your email and click the green Update button.  Note: You can also insert Facebook and Twitter buttons which are located in the last row of the toolbar in the editor.

• Unsubscribe Link:  You can insert an unsubscribe link and statement.  We recommend inserting it at the bottom of your message.  Scroll through your message text until you reach the last line.  Start a new line underneath and click the UNS button to insert.  This is the first button in the last row of the editor.

Happy emailing, in STYLE! We hope you enjoy our new templates and tips.


Please don't hesitate to call us at 855-709-4099, or submit a ticket at jangomail.com/support.

New JangoMail Smart Template Sneak Peek

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

The wait is almost over!  At JangoMail, we've been working hard to bring you the best email templates in the industry.  Sending eye-catching emails that will grab the attention of your readers will be easier than ever with our brand new Smart Templates.  We've put together 150 brand new templates, a new template menu, and editing tips.  While we are putting on the final touches, enjoy this exclusive sneak peek:

 Once our templates are live, you can access them by clicking the JangoMail Smart Template button:

You'll be able to use the templates as a starting point for your email design.

Browsing is a breeze with our new template menu, organized by category:

We'll have several different categories to choose from:

• Feature templates include designs for promoting sales and bringing attention to one or more products. 
• Greetings include designs to say "Welcome," "Thank You," "You're Invited," and more. 
• Holiday templates provide you with designs to celebrate the holidays. 
• Mobile templates are specially designed to be easy to read on a smartphone. 
• Newsletter templates include space for a lot of text in the form of one, two, or more columns. 
• Responsive templates adjust based on the email client that a recipient is using. 
• RSS to Email is for turning blogs into a nice looking email. 
• Simple templates are basic designs from JangoMail's original selection.
• Recent templates include the last 20 templates that you used.

You can choose a favorite by clicking the star at the top of the design you like. To view all of your favorites, click the Favorites tab in the template menu:

 To see a full preview of a template, click on the Computer Screen Icon:

 Templates can be selected by clicking the Right Arrow Icon:
 

Each template contains editing tips that will teach you how to customize your message:

Our new JangoMail Smart Templates are available to ALL of our customers.  It doesn't matter if you have a free or paid account, you will have full access to all of our features, including these great new templates.

That concludes our JangoMail Smart Template Sneak Peek!  We hope you are just as excited for our new templates as we are.

Our New "On Track With Jack" Series

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

Introducing…our new series: On Track With Jack.  Each week, look for our new emails and blog posts from our mascot, Jack the Jangolope, on marketing advice, trends, and quick tips. Jack will offer insight on how to improve your email marketing so you can use your JangoMail account to the fullest.  He will cover common support issues we receive from our call center, and the latest news in email marketing, to keep you on track.

What is a jangolope and why does one named Jack have tips for me?
To start, a jackalope is a mythical creature known as a jackrabbit with antelope horns. Over time the jackalope continued to change into what we, at JangoMail, call the jangolope.

Long, long, long ago a curious jackrabbit stumbled upon an old computer.  He grew tired of receiving and sending plain, ineffective emails.  He knew there had to be an easier way.  The jackrabbit thought long and hard.  Finally, he had an idea to evolve email marketing above all the rest.  As his idea grew, so did his antlers.

Through the wild countryside of North America, the jackalope soon became known as the jangolope because of his savvy computer skills.  Jack is a direct descendant of the original jangolope.  Half jackrabbit, half antelope, 100% email marketing professional.

Hop into our blog each week with Jack's helpful tips!

We want to hear from you. 
Remember, at JangoMail it's your email, your way.  Have a topic you would like Jack to cover?  Email us at marketing@us.jangomail.com with the subject line: On Track With Jack. Jack also has his very own Facebook page.  Follow Jack on Facebook.

Get The Click: Five Effective Subject Line Strategies

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

It all starts with the email subject line; the first thing people see when they receive an email. The goal of any effective email relationship is to hook the attention of your audience right from the start, delivering your message in full to retain high open rates.  So, how do you get the click?  Follow these five simple, yet effective subject line strategies to keep them coming back for more!

1.  Be Direct And To The Point:  At glance, your subject identifies the content of the email. Whether you are announcing a special offer, event, or news update, be clear about the campaign.  Don’t send mixed signals.  We recommend approximately 50 characters or less, with the exception of highly targeted emails.

2.  Keep The Mystery Alive:  Don’t lay it all out on the line.  We want to intrigue our readers to read on, inviting them to open the email and read our message in full.  Use catchy words to trigger interest, while capturing the purpose of the email.

3.  Stay Fresh: Repetition will lower open rates.  While it's important to establish a brand, each subject line should highlight new content.  If you have a long-term message, work on building your brand to compliment your new material.

4.  Say ‘No’ To Spammy Words:  Remember to always put yourself in the shoes of the recipient.  What emails attract you?  Which ones do you delete right out of the gate?  Avoid excessive use of words like free, help, percent off, and reminder.  Multiple exclamation points, dollar signs, words in all CAPS, and these keywords and phrases will trigger spam filters.

5.  Testing 1, 2, 3:  When in doubt, test!  Worried about a long-term message? Test and see what works best for your audience.

If you have any questions, please contact us for help!

New Separate Save and Test Buttons

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

Some of you may have noticed that over the weekend we launched two new buttons on our interface.  The old Save/Send A Test button has been replaced with two new buttons, so you can save without having to send a test email.

The Save button saves the email campaign you are working on and the Send A Test generates a separate preview, but does not automatically save.  It creates a new version in preview form.  Please remember to save often!  

When you are ready to send your email, you need to make a copy of the email, and then you can send. 

If you have any questions regarding the change contact us at: 1-855-709-4099, or submit a ticket at jangomail.com/support. 

Introducing…Our NEW User Interface

By: Melonie Mottice
Marketing Specialist

The wait is over! We are pleased to announce our new user interface here at JangoMail.  The new design combines the old with the new.  We’ve taken suggestions directly from you, our valued clients.  Enjoy our fresh new look that is easy to use and navigate, delivering the latest to you in email technology.

Here are our new features:

New Look: You’ll notice new matching colors to the site along with a well organized, easy to use dashboard that houses popular links.  These shortcuts are not only visually appealing, but convenient for easy access.

Walkthrough Guides:  Each user will appreciate the walkthrough guides which give an interactive tour of the entire system.  You will initially be prompted to take the tour, but can recall or hide the guides at anytime.

Navigation: The most important change has been made to our navigation.  JangoMail now has submenus which allow users to access features within the Reports, Messages, and List sections without interrupting any work.

Help Section: Whether you need a quick reference point or have an in-depth question, our help sections are everywhere.  Access explanations, useful links, tutorials and tips on each page to the right.

Countdown:  At the very top of the page, you’ll notice our new countdown feature which tracks the number of days left in your usage period, your next usage period, data used, and number of sent messages.  Note the Upgrade Account button next to the countdown for an easy upgrade.

The goal of our new interface was to improve our overall look and usability. We hope you enjoy our new features and look forward to answering any questions you may have.  Please don't hesitate to call us at 855-709-4099, or submit a ticket at jangomail.com/support.