Your newsletters don’t have to be a chore. Writing about what you do should be an enjoyable experience and when it is, it will reflect in the content – which then leads to a better read for your users!
One thing that can be frustrating is getting that content out there.
For some businesses newsletters are all they do, and these kinds of companies have become staples in almost every online marketing strategy.
Many email services like Gmail even have separate tabs now devoted to promotional emails so users can have them all organized in one place.
In the past some companies tried to mail out their newsletters from their own email. With the advent of spam, new rules were introduced that make taking that approach dangerous to your business.
If your email is seen sending out massive waves of emails, you risk all emails from your domain being marked as spam, and then never seen by your followers or clients.
Today we’re going to look at which companies you can use to craft great looking email newsletters and then send them easily to a database of followers. These companies won’t get your email tagged as spam and their tools make your newsletter creation a lot more fun.
Trying to decide between newsletters or a blog? Read our article: Blogging or Newsletters or Both?
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MailChimp
MailChimp is a big favourite for many companies and agencies. It’s got an evolving interface that has been updated over the years based on user feedback. You can upload your email lists as a CSV/Excel file and the system will automatically check to see which columns are the user’s name, email etc. (this feature is available in most newsletter platforms as well).
They have a great selection of templates to choose from that can then be further modified to suit your brand. Keep in mind, a professional marketing agency can help you create a customized look that blends in your brand, rather than choosing a template that will be used by many other companies.
You can review the open rate, users can easily unsubscribe, and you can then revise your next newsletter based on the metrics viewable in your MailChimp account.
It offers split testing as well so you can try out different versions of your same newsletter to see which resonates best with your users.
Pricing varies depending on how many users you can to send to. Their forever free plan may work for some businesses with lower than 2,000 subscribers. If you have more than 2,000, you have options to pay as you go or subscribe to a monthly plan.
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GetResponse
The big difference with GetResponse is that it’s suited to users who want to complete their newsletter with a landing page or who are offering webinars. If your reason for sending out newsletters is that your business hosts webinars and you’re engaging your users each month then this company is ideal.
Within the interface you manage your newsletters with this service also has a tonne of extras specifically for webinars. They have really targeted that market and have features like autoresponders, email reminders, and 1-click logins that make the whole experience easier for you and for your users.
Their landing page templates may also appeal to companies who do monthly offerings/sales and need a unique page of content to send the user to.
MailChimp is a great service, but if you’re looking for something that offers more services directed at webinars and that allows you to create a custom landing page, then sending users to from your newsletter then this is a better option.
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Constant Contact
Constant Contact has always been a big rival with MailChimp for being the brand name in email marketing. It’s a huge company and it’s a great option if Facebook is a big part of your online marketing strategy.
Constant Contact has an email option that is designed so users can easily share your newsletter on Facebook. Other providers do have features similar to this but they’re not as focused on that feature as Constant Contact.
The big plus with this company is the support. If you run into issues you can easily get help, and if you have trouble learning the interface at all there are many resources available to help you find the answers you need.
This option can be considered the most social media-friendly and has all the major features of the others noted. If your online marketing involves Hootsuite (you can integrate this into Hootsuite) and you focus your efforts on gaining traction on social media then this is a great newsletter tool for you.
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AWeber
AWeber is an extremely popular option and recommended by many professional marketing companies. It gives you five plans to choose from and a long list of features such as unlimited email marketing campaigns, follow-ups, lists and Auto Responders.
Many people believe their Auto Responder platform is superior to other companies, allowing businesses to automate the process of delivering personalized emails to customers on a schedule.
GetResponse and AWeber offer similar core features. With AWeber, you pay a monthly fee starting at $19 US based on your list size, allowing you to send out as many campaigns as you wish.
There are many more options out there to choose from too. Email newsletters are a massive business tool and a big part of the online marketing industry. It’s difficult to say which is best, since most offer the same list of major features and then differentiate in more niche market opportunities.
Compare email marketing plans here.
The decision on which is right for you will likely come down to how your online marketing strategy is designed. If you would like to discuss which is right for your business or you haven’t yet put together an online marketing strategy for your business then please get in touch with us! We use a variety of platforms both for eVision Media and for our clients and we’ll make sure you’re using the right one for your business.
Let us know if you have any questions about email newsletter marketing in the comments below or email us and we’ll make sure you get an answer.
To your business success,
Susan Friesen
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About the Author, Susan Friesen
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia’s premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is an expert in helping businesses establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity.
Her passion for empowering entrepreneurs and small business owners to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the branding and marketing industry.
Visit www.BrandIdentitySteps.com and download your FREE guide: "Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients".
