Email & Old Fashioned Recipe

Our Old Fashioned Recipe is remarkably similar to our recipe for good emails. 

While celebrating the holidays here at JangoMail HQ our “bartender” Ryan served up some delicious Old Fashioneds. After a while we couldn’t help but notice that the recipe for a good Old Fashioned was remarkably like the recipe for a good email. It may have been the Old Fashioneds talking, but we thought we’d share!

Good Old Fashioneds and good emails both start with the right ingredients.

The garnish on an old fashioned is like the subject line on an email. It’s the first thing your customers see, and determines if the message gets opened. Garnishes, like subject lines can be fun and attention grabbing!

Muddled sugar and a dash of bitters is the content of your message. The balance between sweet and sour is the same as your image to text ratio. Make sure to include text with your images, it will help your message display properly and will improve deliverability.

The whiskey is like adding personalization, it’s attention grabbing and will make the recipient feel warm and fuzzy.

Finally, the ice or splash of water, which is like the call to action of your email message. In an old fashioned the ice releases flavors in the whiskey, pulling the drink together. The call to action on your email will pull the content of your message together.

Having a hard time dealing with the end of the holiday season? Enjoy an Old Fashioned based on our recipe below. 

1) In a rocks glass (or lets face it – any glass you want) place a sugar cube and a couple dashes of bitters. Muddle with a muddler or a spoon.
2) Add a couple of ice cubes to the glass.
3) Pour in 1.5 ounces Rye Whiskey (our personal favorite is Bulleit).
4) Cut an orange slice and rub it around the rim of your glass then drop in, add a maraschino cherry.
5) Enjoy.

Email Marketing DOs 

Email marketing tips from JangoMail

Here are a few things that you should DO to ensure better delivery and interaction rates when using JangoMail (or any email service provider).

Wondering what the content of your emails should be? Test a variety of campaigns to see where your customers engage. Which campaigns are being opened? What links are being clicked? Use these results to create best practices for your business. Below are some content tips to help you get started.

Do remember it’s not always about you: One big mistake we often see is businesses crafting the messages they would want to see, without taking into account the content their subscribers interact with the most. Try to tailor your message with the data you have about your clientele. Use the sales data, web analytics and reporting tools in JangoMail to determine what works best with your subscribers. This may mean that the content of your emails doesn’t align with your personal preferences, but it will be the content your subscribers want.

Do competitor research:  Check out your competitor’s website, subscribe to their emails and follow them on social media. There is always something to learn from what others in your industry are doing. Never copy someone else’s campaign, but feel free to learn from what your competitors are doing.

Do use proper grammar: This should go without saying, but even the best of us make mistakes from time to time. Make sure to review your content with a fine-tooth comb. Cross all the T’s and dot those I’s. Use proper punctuation and make sure it all makes sense and your sentences are framed well. You can break grammar rules, but make sure it’s clear that the mistake was intentional rather than an oversight.

Do format your text: Make your text visually appealing. This is especially important in text only emails. Use bold, italic and colored text to draw attention to key ideas and the call to action. Make sure your font choices are consistent throughout your message.  

Do break up text with headlines and images:  Break up larger blocks of text with headlines or images. The best email messages are short and to the point. Readers will be overwhelmed by large text blocks and are unlikely to read the whole message. Keep your email visually interesting with other elements placed between blocks of copy. Another option is to have subscribers click through to your website to read or download the rest of your message.

For more tips check out Ryan's video below.

Email Don'ts

Email Marketing Don'ts from JangoMail

When you are putting together your content for your email campaign there are things that you should and should not do.

One of the more important things to remember is that there are certain “trap” words that can ruin your message by having it directed to the junk folder.

There are around a couple hundred words that can cause problems when trying to achieve good delivery rates.  We're not saying NEVER use these words, however, they should be used very sparingly. If you're having a problem staying out of the spam or junk folder, these words could be putting you there.

Another thing to avoid is making your subject line too long or too many characters. Try to keep your subject lines short and sweet. Having around thirty characters should be your target for a better subject line.

When you finally get to the body of your message, don't forget to add some personality. Make the body of your message a good text to image ratio. Put your "call to action" towards the top of your message. So, the what, the why, and the how….Make sure your recipients know what they are receiving, why they have received it, and how they can benefit from it. 

Finally, don’t forget to TEST, TEST, and TEST. How terrible would it be if you did NOT test your message and all of your links were broken or the personalization you had setup did not work properly. Careless mistakes are a big don’t. Nobody wants to look foolish when it comes to their business, so test those messages and make sure it is perfect before sending it to your list. 

What Makes JangoMail the right Choice for Higher Education?

Email is an Important Marketing Tool for Colleges and Universities

Email marketing is becoming more and more important for colleges and universities. Not only does it provide an easy way to communicate with potential students and their parents, it can also be used to keep in touch with alumni, and promote events and athletics.

Higher education institutions used to spend a larger portion of their marketing budget printing and distributing bulky marketing materials. Now, email makes promoting colleges and universities cheaper, easier, and more efficient. In fact, it has never been easier to keep in touch, or to attract new students and benefactors using email.

JangoMail has a number of higher education clients, so we asked them what set us apart from the competition.

Colleges and Universities Love Our Agency Account Features

We found that most of the colleges and universities using JangoMail love our agency account setup. JangoMail offers a lot of flexibility with the way these accounts are configured. We tailor each account to the specific needs of the organization. A typical agency account has one master account with a number of subaccounts. Billing can be done on one invoice, or each subaccount can be billed separately. The subaccount feature allows each department within the organization to operate autonomously, while the organization retains the benefits of only using one email service provider.

JangoMail is Priced for Higher Ed

JangoMail also offers very competitive pricing options that appeal to higher ed. Pricing is straightforward at JangoMail and there aren’t any hidden charges. JangoMail does not charge based on email file size, only the number of emails sent. This provides significant cost savings for colleges and universities that maintain huge email lists (like lists for each graduating class), but only mail a small portion of these lists.

Other Features for Colleges and Universities

Institutions for higher learning also enjoy features such as: unlimited list storage, advanced personalization options, HTML editors, email preview tool, email-to-website tracking, SPAM content checker, and superior customer support. These features make it easy for novices and experts alike to create and deploy professional HTML email campaigns.

To learn more about JangoMail for higher education contact us at 1-888-GO-JANGO and ask for Lauren or visit us on the web, be sure to add higher ed to the comments section.

Experience everything JangoMail has to offer.

No credit card or contract required.

Try JangoMail Free Today

Why Email Personalization Is Important

JangoMail Command Center: The Right Tools, The Right Way

By: Sarah Dyer
Customer Service Manager

In 2011, I quit my comfortable desk job to work alongside my husband, Todd, in his renovation business. Shortly after we purchased our first house flip, Todd had to run to another house and I was left in charge. Despite being married to one of the best home renovation experts, I have absolutely no renovation experience.


During demolition, we encountered hardwood flooring that was glued to concrete slab. I was on my hands and knees with a hammer and chisel for an hour only to get through three feet of this stuff! The task was daunting, to say the least.


Todd stopped by for a cold drink, saw what I was doing and handed me a floor scrapper. He showed me how to use it, and I removed more flooring in one minute than I had in the last hour! Frustrating, yes, but now I had the right tool to get the job done much quicker. Having the right tool to fix any problem makes all the difference, and knowing how to use it the right way is equally important – the same goes for email marketing.


JangoMail can be used in so many different ways, and sometimes you don’t realize what tools you have right at your disposal. I have heard the excitement of so many customers when they discover some of our automated features, for example. From setting up birthday messages to reorder reminders, and so much more. If you have data, we have automation that can help you put it to work for you.


So before you go scraping the floors on your hands and knees, spend a few minutes on the phone with a JangoMail expert, also known as a jangolope. You can reach us from 7 A.M. and 7 P.M. (US/EST) at 888-465-2646. We’re here to listen and discuss your business needs. Our team of jangolopes will get you on track to using the right tools, the right way! Look for our monthly support blog straight from the JangoMail Command Center.

On Track With Jack: EasyPromos Review

Looking to expand your Facebook reach with a contest? There's an app for that…actually there are a ton of apps for that, but out of all of them EasyPromos is at the top of my list.

Let's back up a second. In August Facebook updated their Page Terms, allowing users to run contests on business pages, however, there are still restrictions. Apps make it easier. They allow you to collect data on all the fans that enter, including email. Additionally, apps meet all of the Facebook standards, so you don't have to keep up with their ever-changing guidelines.

My tip for the week:  If you are running a Facebook contest use an app like EasyPromos.

Recently, we ran a Facebook contest for JangoMail and our sister company, JangoSMTP. Contests are great because you can grow your likes in a short amount of time and we did just that with EasyPromos.

EasyPromos offers three different levels to their app. I've never had to use anything more than the Basic level. You can use it for sweepstakes and direct prizes, photo contests, text contests, coupons and discounts, and instant win contests. The first promo is free per page and anything after that is only $15.

The Basic level is geared toward pages that have less than 5,000 fans. It is very easy to set up and monitor. You'll enjoy their statistic and winner tools, as well as their impeccable customer service.

Whatever Facebook contest you do, connect your email efforts back to it - again, it's important to keep any new relationships going after the contest. To build your subscriber list, include a link to your opt-in form or require an email address to enter. Place a disclaimer in the contest terms that clearly states fans are signing up to also receive email notifications from you.

To recap:  Broaden your marketing efforts with a Facebook contest, but drive your traffic back to your business with email. Third-party apps like EasyPromos are affordable and easy-to-use. For more information visit their website: www.easypromosapp.com. 

We're here to help! Whether it's a mobile or social app give us a call at 1-855-709-4099 and ask one of our experts. Chances are they've already used it and would be happy to tell you what we think. Have an app you'd like me to review? Email me at marketing@jangomemail.com.

Jack the Jangolope
Department of Awesome
JangoMail

About Jack

Jack the Jangolope is our JangoMail mascot.  Each week, look for Jack's emails for marketing advice, trends, and quick tips on how to grow your email marketing plan to the fullest!  Hop into email marketing each week with Jack's helpful tips!

What is a Jangolope? Find out HERE

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@jangomemail.com with the subject line: On Track With Jack.  Follow Jack on Facebook

Subscribe to On Track With Jack

On Track With Jack: Recurring Messages

Jangolopes - Are you ready for some football?

As you prepare for the big game this weekend, make sure you have your recurring messages set up so you can enjoy yourself.

Set up and Edit Recurring Messages

Let me back up first…If you don't know about this feature, make sure you check it out! Recurring emails are email messages that are automatically sent based on user defined settings.

You can schedule recurring messages to automate any emails you routinely send your subscribers.  This is perfect for any welcome, thank you, billing, appointment, service, and any other notification emails.

With JangoMail, it's easy to set up recurring messages and now you can easily edit them after they are scheduled, just in case you need to make any updates.

Here's how you can get started:

      1.  Create a new message and save it.
           Note: Double check that "Get Fresh Data" is selected on the schedule tab. This allows the system to automatically send to new subscribers each time a recurring message is sent.
      2.  Navigate to the Settings tab and click on Recurring Messages under Sending and Receiving.

     

      3.  Enter in your preferences to Add a Schedule and press SAVE.

To Edit a Recurring Message:

      1.  Locate the message you wish to change and click the pencil icon to edit.
            a.  You can adjust your schedule here if needed.
      2.  To edit the email content click the pencil icon next to Message to recur.

      3.  The editor will open in a new window.
      4.  Make your changes and Save.

To Recap: Take time to set up your recurring messages! Now you can easily edit any messages after they are scheduled.  

Enjoy the game, and, as always, if you don't see what you need just ask! After all, it's your email, your way!


Sincerely,

Jack the Jangolope
Department of Awesome
JangoMail

About Jack

Jack the Jangolope is our JangoMail mascot.  Each week, look for Jack's emails for marketing advice, trends, and quick tips on how to grow your email marketing plan to the fullest!  Hop into email marketing each week with Jack's helpful tips!

What is a Jangolope? Find out HERE

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@jangomemail.com with the subject line: On Track With Jack.  Follow Jack on Facebook

Subscribe to On Track With Jack

On Track With Jack: It's Time to turn off EditLive

Hi JangoMail Users!

It's always hard to say goodbye, but it's time to bid adieu to a special friend. We've had our ups and downs, but lately there have been mostly downs. Sometimes you just know when it's time for someone to retire. With mixed emotions (but mostly excitement), I give you my tip for the week:

Turn off EditLive and Switch to Our TinyMCE(v3) Editor

EditLive works with Java, which for a very long time has caused lots of headaches for you and our support team. While browsers and Java update with the times, EditLive does not. In the past, these updates caused problems, but now we've finally hit a point where the latest Java update has caused EditLive to stop all together.

Luckily we have another editor that works great! The Advanced editor doesn't need Java and therefore doesn't error out like EditLive does.

As a reminder, here are a few benefits of using our Advanced editor:

• If you can't resist copying from Word, use the new "Paste from Word" button. NOTE: We do NOT recommend creating any emails using Word. Copy/paste text using Notepad or a Simple Text Editor instead.

• You do not have to wait for Java to load, and there are no error messages. 
• Agencies: You can also lock content by restricting subaccounts from editing certain parts of an email. (This is more of an advanced tip: When using EditLive, in the HTML, you would tag an item as conenteditable="false". Now you can do that here too, add class="readonly".) 

To verify that you are using our TinyMCE(v3) editor, follow these steps:

1. Click Settings.
2. Select Authoring to expand section.
3. In the last option, Preferred HTML Editor, check to see if TinyMCE is listed.
4. If not, click the pencil icon to edit.












Select TinyMCE.
Press Save. 

Are you still using the old user interface? Here's some directions on how to switch there:

1. Click Settings.
2. Visit the Send E-Mail Page link.
3. Choose TinyMCE for the HTML Editor.
4. Click the Save Changes button.

If you haven't used our Advanced Editor before and have questions, our support team is here to help you transition.

Sincerely,

Jack the Jangolope
Department of Awesome
JangoMail

About Jack

Jack the Jangolope is our JangoMail mascot.  Each week, look for Jack's emails for marketing advice, trends, and quick tips on how to grow your email marketing plan to the fullest!  Hop into email marketing each week with Jack's helpful tips!

What is a Jangolope? Find out HERE

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@jangomemail.com with the subject line: On Track With Jack.  Follow Jack on Facebook

Subscribe to On Track With Jack

On Track With Jack: Email Over Snail Mail

Hi Jangolopes!

Brrrrr...I thought the Ice Age was long gone, but I'm not sure after this week. Hibernation sounds pretty good right now, but with postage going up at the end of the month, there are so many emails to send! Turn the heat up on the polar vortex and read my tip of the week:

Choose email over snail mail.

At the end of the month, first-class stamps will cost 49 cents - a figure that has caused many businesses to ramp up their email efforts instead of spending extra money on postage. I encourage you to do the same, especially since email is more effective regardless of the cost of stamps. Here's why:

Speed: Email is really fast, like lightning fast, and your message is delivered to your subscriber within minutes. You can reach anyone from around the world instantly.

Convenience: You can send any message at the touch of a button, 24/7. You can schedule messages ahead of time and set up Autoresponders when you're away. Additionally, email is convenient for subscribers. They can easily respond and take your message wherever they go - on their phone, computer, or tablet.

Privacy and Security: You can send and receive different types of messages in a secure setting to people who want to hear from you. Their information is securely stored and kept private.

Sharing Capabilities: Share different types of emails easily with friends and family. What did we do before Forward to a Friend links and Social Share buttons?

Deliverability and Analytics: Monitor all your efforts through reporting to shape your future campaigns. In a short period of time you can: confirm the status of your message and view the clicks, bounces, and open rates. You can also work with segmented lists to target your audience.

To recap: Choose email over snail mail. The JangoMail team is standing by to help you incorporate more email into your business plan. We have all the tools and special features to make you successful in reaching more subscribers.

Has it been awhile since you logged in? You may have noticed our new user interface and Smart Templates. We're only a phone call away and support is free!  Get in touch with our live call center at 1-855-709-4099 and ask for a demo.

Sincerely,

Jack the Jangolope
Department of Awesome
JangoMail

About Jack

Jack the Jangolope is our JangoMail mascot.  Each week, look for Jack's emails for marketing advice, trends, and quick tips on how to grow your email marketing plan to the fullest!  Hop into email marketing each week with Jack's helpful tips!

What is a Jangolope? Find out HERE

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@jangomemail.com with the subject line: On Track With Jack.  Follow Jack on Facebook

Subscribe to On Track With Jack

On Track With Jack: Happy New Year

---

Today is New Year's Eve, which means 2013 is almost over. I have a confession, I tend to get a little emotional as I sit back and reflect on the year, but nothing that a little bubbly won't cure.

Top 10 JangoMail Blogs of 2013 10. Reconsider Email Attachments   9. No Joke: Email Marketing Grows       Business Like Nothing Else   8. New JangoMail Smart Template       Designs, Menu, and Editing Tips!   7. The Twelve Days of JangoMail   6. Our New "On Track With Jack" Series   5. Gene Marks: Best Sales Reports   4. Introducing…Our NEW User Interface   3. Are You Heading Straight to Spam?   2. Getting The Full Benefit of vBulletin?   1. When Good Emails Render Bad

As I sip on my sparkling grape juice, I think back to the
early days at JangoMail, when we were just starting out. Since then, we have grown into a leading email marketing system with over 200,000 users around the world.

In the past year, JangoMail has significantly expanded. We have a lot to celebrate as we look back at our many accomplishments. Here are a few 2013 highlights, we've…

• Tripled our staff to take on the expansion
• Opened our office headquarters and Call Center in Dayton, Ohio
• Launched our new Smart Templates
• Added security with our new Backup Data Center
• Partnered with Gene Marks
• Started On Track With Jack, our new educational series, with yours truly
• Received a 5 Star Rating Awarded on ResellerRatings

JangoMail is getting better every day, and 2014 will be no different. Our team is not only bright, but driven to provide you with the best quality email marketing service out there.

Here's what we have in the works for this year, we're…

• Upgrading to TinyMCE4 and making a "Super Editor" that encompasses all features of our current editors (TinyMCE and EditLive)
• Installing new social share buttons for Pinterest, Linkedin, Instagram and Google+
• Creating a signup widget for WordPress
• Expanding our reach to local businesses in Dayton
• Exhibiting and attending trade shows and conferences across the country to reach current and prospective customers 

...and much, much more! Don't see what you need? Just ask. We're always open to new ways to stay on top.

To recap: Take time and reflect on your year, from a business standpoint, and plan ahead for 2014. Identify what email campaigns worked and what didn't. Incorporate your successes into your new marketing plan for the year.

I want to wish you all a very happy New Year, one that is full of email marketing success. Thank you for your business in 2013.


Sincerely,

Jack the Jangolope
Department of Awesome
JangoMail

About Jack

Jack the Jangolope is our JangoMail mascot.  Each week, look for Jack's emails for marketing advice, trends, and quick tips on how to grow your email marketing plan to the fullest!  Hop into email marketing each week with Jack's helpful tips!

What is a Jangolope? Find out HERE

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@jangomemail.com with the subject line: On Track With Jack.  Follow Jack on Facebook

Subscribe to On Track With Jack

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.

Gene Marks: Email Marketing Thoughts

A guest post by Gene Marks

Every month my company sends out five newsletters and another five to ten mass emails to other groups.  We've been doing this for ten years.  And it works.  Most of the time.  We've had a ton of failures.  But mostly success.  So what have I learned?  Lots.  Let me at least share these three things.

1.  Have many lists.  No one does email “blasts” anymore. Today, you're sending targeted messages.  The size of your list really doesn't matter.  It's the quality.  What good are 1,000 people on an email list when only 20 actually read your newsletter?  Look at your database and then segment, segment, segment.  Ask yourself, what do these people want to hear about?  A specific product or service?  Issues affecting their industry?  Don't just blast out an email to everyone.  Blast out ten emails to ten different groups who have ten different interests.  And schedule your emails depending on the group.  The suspects who gave you their business cards at tradeshows might want to hear from you three or four times a year.  You're A-list customers should be getting messages from you at least once a month. The prospects who showed some interest in your products or services and may be interested again someday should be getting information from you every couple of months.   Your lists will be ever changing.

2.  Educate, don't sell.  No one wants to get emails with sales pitches jammed down their throats.  Instead, come up with two or three pieces of advice you want to give to your audience.  They may be specifically or indirectly related to your product or service.  They may have something to do with your industry or region. You're an expert.  You can come up with these topics.  Help your readers get smarter.  Sure you can plug your products somewhere on the sidebar or bottom of your message, as long as it's done unobtrusively.  But your first goal is to educate your reader.  Give them some food for thought.  Elicit some action, like a click to a more detailed article on your blog, a request for a whitepaper, a sign up for a seminar or webinar.  Establish your company as a thought leader in your field.  Use your email messages to show how good you are and justify why the reader should be comfortable doing business with you.  Don't like to write?  Then come up with an idea and hire someone who can.  Which brings me to my last item…

3.  Invest and commit.  This is not a campaign.  It's a long term commitment. An email service may be relatively inexpensive but it's really just a fraction of the overall cost.  To really get results you have to do this for a long, long time.  You have to build a devoted readership.  People will be drawn to your emails if they're getting useful information in a reliable and consistent manner.  You don't have the time to do this yourself.  You're going to have to hire or contract someone to help you.  This person will have a lot to do:  maintain and update your database, craft the messages, administer the emails, oversee your “opt-in” process, make sure people who respond get noticed and keep things interesting.  Again and again and again.  This will take time and money.  But doesn't everything in business take time and money?

Just remember:  you can't put a gun to someone's head and tell them to buy from you.  All you can do is stay in their minds just enough so that when there's an interest your company is thought of first.  That's the goal of an effective email marketing process.  Oh, one more thing:  grow a thick skin. Because that guy who opted in two years ago may for some reason be in a bad mood when he gets an email from you and responds with a nasty-gram.  This has happened to me a lot over the years. Oh well.

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.

On Track With Jack: Plan Ahead For The Holidays

BOO!  Hope I didn't scare you too much. Today is the last day of October, which means it's Halloween! It also means that the holiday season is right around the corner, and there is a lot you can do to get ready!

I want you to plan ahead this year and really focus on going the extra mile to scare… I mean, connect with your customers using JangoMail.

Here’s how you can plan ahead: 

Think creatively:  Like each year, you are going to have a ton of holiday competition. Make sure you stand out from all the other businesses. Brainstorm unique promotions and offer something different to your customers. Broadcast your message through your email.

Get organized:  Determine key sale days and note the important ones like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Free Shipping Day. Set deadlines for yourself and create a calendar with send dates. Schedule your campaigns in advance. You can always pause your campaign and update before your final send in JangoMail.

Don’t go overboard:  We know that you want to get the word out, but do not over mail.  We don’t want your readers to get irritated and unsubscribe. Refer back to your schedule and stay on track. Remember, timing is everything. Monitor your campaigns through the JangoMail Report Dashboard, and keep an eye on the unsubscribed and bounced addresses. We suggest running a Delivery Health Check on any email address in question.

Don’t be a Scrooge:  The sooner you embrace the holidays, the better. Be festive, and have a positive attitude. Show your holiday spirit by hosting an event or even by decorating your store (if you have one). Send holiday invitations, announcements, and greeting cards using your email.

To recap: Many businesses miss the opportunity to connect with their subscribers during the holidays using email. Plan ahead.

Next week, we are going to cover my Holiday Email Guide, where I’ll review the top marketing trends to try with your email.

Happy Halloween!

Sincerely,

Jack the Jangolope
Department of Awesome
JangoMail

About Jack

Jack the Jangolope is our JangoMail mascot.  Each week, look for Jack's emails for marketing advice, trends, and quick tips on how to grow your email marketing plan to the fullest!  Hop into email marketing each week with Jack's helpful tips!

What is a Jangolope? Find out HERE

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@jangomemail.com with the subject line: On Track With Jack.  Follow Jack on Facebook

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