unrestircted email question

site4mas · #1 04-05-2007, 10:43 AM

I have a reseller package at HG, I know about the sending limit, one of my customers has a mailing list of 12 thousand addresses, so it takes days to get the mailshots out.

I know that the dedicated servers can send unlimited emails, but I don't want to move because I don't have enough customers to justify it, so . . .

does anyone know a different host or package that I can move this one customer onto or have any suggestions about how to work around this.

Serra · #2 04-05-2007, 01:05 PM

With a 12k mailing list, they should be using a mailing service, not their hosting. Its as simple as that.

slapshotw · #3 04-05-2007, 02:18 PM

I agree 100% with serra. Something like campaign monitor, or constant contact.

site4mas · #4 04-05-2007, 02:30 PM

Thank you both for those suggestions I'll check that out and put it to the customer

TheMule · #5 04-05-2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serra

With a 12k mailing list, they should be using a mailing service

You could use a mailing service like Constant Contact or for a small investment you could do it yourself.

We do this for about 5 of our clients. We use a bulk mail program called HandyMailer ($180) and a $9.95 dial up account. We don't use our main broadband account just in case we have a problem and get our service disconnected ... If the dial up account gets suspended you can get another one in about ten minutes.

We our very clear to clients that we do only "opt-in" mailing lists. We have never had a problem in 3 or 4 years now.

12000 emails would take about 6 - 8hours to transmit. We charge 1 cent each.

slapshotw · #6 04-05-2007, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMule

12000 emails would take about 6 - 8hours to transmit. We charge 1 cent each.

Campaign Monitor charges 1 cent (or less) per email, plus a $5 flat fee, and the emails go out all together for whenever you send them. I've had great experiences. Would you not be better off just using them?

gwyneth · #7 04-06-2007, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMule

We don't use our main broadband account just in case we have a problem and get our service disconnected ... If the dial up account gets suspended

This makes Matt's point.

Regardless of the fact that you're doing opt-in lists, and theoretically don't have anything to worry about, you clearly are worrying about (or at least aware of) the possibility of repercussions.

The advantages to the services: they cost about the same, they're much quicker, and one of the things you're paying for is, essentially, repercussion insurance.

TheMule · #8 04-06-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyneth

The advantages to the services: they cost about the same, they're much quicker

Agreed .... but there is one draw back in sending your clients to another service provider. You don't get PAID. For $9.95 per month I add about $500 dollars a month in revenue to my company.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyneth

and one of the things you're paying for is, essentially, repercussion insurance.

Most of the time the IP that actual sent the email gets blacklisted and that's the end of it. But people have had their websites shut down and even been sued.

gwyneth · #9 04-07-2007, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMule

Most of the time the IP that actual sent the email gets blacklisted and that's the end of it. But people have had their websites shut down and even been sued.

Well, isn't that the best argument for using a specialized service?

Compare the $490 'profit' your company is taking in against the legal fees you'd be out if anything happened to one of your clients and you found yourself in the middle of the muck. Or even without legal fees, the loss of that client.

A zillion years ago, when I was a partner in an ad agency, some of our best clients came to us after one too many 'hook jobs' from their old agencies (a hook job being a task that really should be farmed out to a specialist but is taken on because it seems so profitable). Sooner or later, hook jobs always, always, get you--instead of reeling in the fish, the hook gets caught on the fisherperson.

slapshotw · #10 04-07-2007, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMule

Agreed .... but there is one draw back in sending your clients to another service provider. You don't get PAID. For $9.95 per month I add about $500 dollars a month in revenue to my company.

Why not use campaign monitor, and up your rate to 2 cents an email. Would your customers mind, especially when they'd get MUCH better reporting about who was opening their mails, automatic unsubscriptions, etc...? And you'd make the same thing while avoiding some of the problems.

TheMule · #11 04-07-2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyneth

Well, isn't that the best argument for using a specialized service?.

No ... All business activity has risk. If you shy away from something because of some remote chance you're gonna get sued, you'll be outta business fairly quick.. I am way more worried about someone tripping in my office or one of my techs breaking someones equipment. Besides I have INSURANCE!

TheMule · #12 04-07-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshotw

Why not use campaign monitor, and up your rate to 2 cents an email. Would your customers mind, especially when they'd get MUCH better reporting about who was opening their mails, automatic unsubscriptions, etc...? And you'd make the same thing while avoiding some of the problems.

I supose you could go that route ... If you customer ever shopped your price you would most likely lose that part of their business.

I think you and gwyneth are making this a bigger deal than it is. I have been doing this for 3 or 4 years. I've never a had problem.

kmaw · #13 04-07-2007, 12:51 PM

Knock on wood

gwyneth · #14 04-07-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMule

Besides I have INSURANCE!

Someone actually writes policies against the risk that you, your operation, or your clients might turn up on some blacklist, or labelled as 'spammers' (regardless of the real truth, re the opt-in lists)? That's great.

slapshotw · #15 04-07-2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMule

I've never a had problem.

Alright, we were just trying to help. No hard feelings intended. I happen to love campaign monitor though, if you ever want to give it a try. It's definitely worth what they charge (which is still a really little amount). The reporting and link tracking is GREAT. They can tell you who clicked on what link, etc... and let you send an HTML and text version.

-Matt

TheMule · #16 04-08-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyneth

your operation, or your clients might turn up on some blacklist, or labelled as 'spammers'

1st ... there is no chance of that happening to me ... the worst thing that could happen is I get supended from a $9.95 dial up account.
2nd. The risk my client takes is no different than with any other bulk mail service.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyneth

Someone actually writes policies against the risk that you, your operation, or your clients

Actualy ...they do. It's called a "General Business Policy". They even provide the lawyers.

It won't cover your clients just your business. They would have to buy their own policy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshotw

No hard feelings intended.

No hard feelings here. I can't see any reason why there should be. Did I miss something?

slapshotw · #17 04-08-2007, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMule

No hard feelings here. I can't see any reason why there should be. Did I miss something?

Nope, I thought you may have been offended by my questioning what you were doing.