Being successful as a nonprofit or small business comes down to effectively being able to cultivate meaningful and lasting relationships.  An important aspect of any communication plan should include e-mail marketing.  In fact, research shows that 91% of Internet users between the ages of 18 and 64 send or read email (www.emarketer.com).  So why can't you just send e-mail from your Outlook?  The following are  a few of the reasons why you need a bulk e-mail solution.

To Avoid Breaking the Law

There are laws that regulate the processes for e-mail marketing.  The CAN-SPAN laws establish guidelines that all commercial e-mail must comply with.  Among these requirements is the ability for your constituents to unsubscribe from your list.  Have you ever received an e-mail from someone asking to be removed from your list, forgot to remove them and included them on your next mailing?  You may have broken the law.

A good bulk email solution will automatically include a system that ensures your compliance with the CAN-SPAM regulations.

Beating The Filters

Do you wish you could receive more spam in your inbox?  Nobody does, that is why it becomes harder every day to makes it past all the various filters in order to not be seen as spam.  You can not connect with your clients if your email never got there or landed in the junk folder.  Bulk e-mail providers work hard to establish positive relationships with the major providers such as AOL, Yahoo, ISPs, etc to ensure you are not seen as spam.

You Need The Metrics

With limited time and resources it becomes vital that you put your efforts into activities that further the mission of your business or organization.  Without good metrics (open rates, forwards rates, etc) you have no idea if you are reaching people and your effrots are beign successful.  A good bulk e-mail solution will be able to give you information vital to know if what you are doing is working and/or how to improve your efforts.

Easy List Management

How do you keep track of who wants to receive your newsletters?  Excel spreadsheet, add them to a contact group in Outlook.....post-it notes?  Wouldn't it be nice if folks could just sign-up on your website and they were automatically added to a list?  With a good bulk e-mail solution your wish can come true.  User can sign-up for and manage their own preferences without you ever needed to do anything.  When it comes time to send the next e-mail simply tick the box, add the list and send your campaign.

Templates Done Right

Do you have a graphic artist on staff?  Most folks don't.  Bulk e-mail providers will have literally hundreds of templates you can choose from and customize to allow you to create a professional and branded e-mail campaign.

Where Can I Get a Bulk E-Mail Provider

There are many options out there for bulk e-mail providers.  The following are what I consider the top 3 choices for  nonprofits and small businesses.  All 3 offer a free trial so you can get in and explore before committing to an option.

www.verticalresponse.com
Pricing structure is based on # of email sent in a month with a pay as you go option.  Loaded with additional features such as surveys, postcards, etc.
*They offer a free account to 501(c)(3) organizations for up to 10,000 email/month and 15% off any beyond that.

www.icontact.com
Pricing structure based on the size of your list regardless of how many emails are sent.  Over 300+ templates to choose from and much more.

www.constantcontact.com
Pricing structure is also based on the size of your list and not how many emails you send.  Excellent Help section to answer most of your questions.

What are your thoughts or suggestions?