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Amy Black's Blog Posts
Amy Black is the former editor of Constant Contact's Hints & Tips newsletters on email marketing and online survey best practices. She has more than 14 years of small business and nonprofit marketing experience.
Passing the torch to a new blogger
Posted on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 18:20 by Amy Black
Hello readers! Today I am passing the blogging torch on to another. I’ve had an excellent time writing for this blog and sharing insights on email marketing. I’m moving on, but I leave you in the excellent hands of John Arnold.
How to get more opens and clicks
Posted on Tue, 09/16/2008 - 14:18 by Amy BlackThe September issue of our Hints & Tips Email Marketing newsletter covers two important areas of your email campaigns: subject lines and calls to action (CTA). This month you'll get approaches for both in Gina Watkins' article and learn what words to use and avoid in an interview with professional copywriter Bob Bly.
What is the best day and time to send?
Posted on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 20:34 by Amy BlackThis is a question that we are asked often here at Constant Contact. Understandably, everyone (including myself) is looking for a silver bullet that will result in higher open and click-through rates.
There are reports available that can tell you what has worked for others (eROI put one out each quarter in 2007), but the truth is that it varies—the quarterly reports showed a different day as the winner each month. While there is no absolute, there are some best practices to consider when it comes to when to send.Email marketing: everybody's doing it
Posted on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 19:18 by Amy Black
Looking for some great examples of email marketing? Check out our newly-updated examples page on the website to see how different types of businesses and organizations are using email marketing. Some of these examples also have accompanying success stories. Here are a few:
A sweet e-newsletter success story
Posted on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 17:31 by Amy Black
Back in February, I blogged about Daily Candy, that wildly successful email newsletter company that sends out daily doses of info on fashion, food, and “fab” things to do to more than 2.5 million readers.
Well, there is now more to this story. If you didn’t hear already, this business—built entirely on newsletters—was purchased last Thursday by Comcast for $125 million. Wow!
Congrats to Daily Candy. Their success just proves what we all know to be true—email newsletters rock!
Well, there is now more to this story. If you didn’t hear already, this business—built entirely on newsletters—was purchased last Thursday by Comcast for $125 million. Wow!
Congrats to Daily Candy. Their success just proves what we all know to be true—email newsletters rock!
The Secret to Relevant Emails
Posted on Mon, 08/11/2008 - 14:01 by Amy Black
Want to keep the people on your list reading your emails? One of the best ways to do it is by segmenting your list and communicating in a more targeted way with each group. This month's Hints & Tips newsletter explains the benefits of segmentation and gives ideas and examples on how to do it.
How do you segment your list? How do you communicate differently with each group? What positive results have you seen? Tell us about it!
Why permission matters
Posted on Wed, 08/06/2008 - 19:38 by Amy BlackEvery day when I get home from work, I do four things…
- Greet my black lab who meets me at the door
- Greet my husband who meets me at the top of the stairs
- Put down my extremely heavy bag
- Go to the kitchen table to riffle through the pile of mail waiting for me
When I get to number four, I always find myself hoping that there is something really interesting, or personal, or special waiting for me—like a card or invitation from a friend or family member, or maybe a little unexpected gift (I love presents!). Why I keep hoping, I don’t know, because at least 90% of what’s in the pile is JUNK. Can you relate?
How to build a top-notch email list
Posted on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 14:50 by Amy BlackThis month's Hints & Tips Email Marketing newsletter focuses in on list building. You'll get best practices to follow and fresh ideas for growing your list.
How do you grow your email list? Share your ideas by making a comment below. We want to hear from you!
The future of email marketing: Mostly sunny
Posted on Thu, 07/10/2008 - 19:07 by Amy Black
Have you ever wondered about the future of email marketing? You aren't alone. It's an active discussion at email marketing events and among marketing professionals. Larry Chase, the publisher of the free newsletter Web Digest for Marketers recently interviewed some of the top researchers in the industry about the future of this beloved communication channel. Read Larry 's article.
Earlier this year, Loren McDonald of Silverpop wrote an article on the subject as well. He addresses the fear that Gen Y may not rely on email like the adult world does (he says they will). Read Loren's article.
Earlier this year, Loren McDonald of Silverpop wrote an article on the subject as well. He addresses the fear that Gen Y may not rely on email like the adult world does (he says they will). Read Loren's article.
Welcome new blogger, Ellen Siegel
Posted on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 14:10 by Amy BlackThe Constant Contact Best Practices Blog welcomes new blogger, Ellen Siegel, our Director of Technology and Standards here at Constant Contact.
Ellen is the one who makes sure that we are on the “straight and narrow” when it comes to best practices. She is a CAN-SPAM expert and is knowledgeable on a broad range of current deliverability technologies. In an ongoing effort to help fight spam and protect legitimate email, Ellen is also a leader and active participant in a number of email industry organizations including the Email Sender and Provider Coalition (ESPC) and the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (MAAWG).
As a blogger, Ellen will cover issues including anti-spam, email authentication, deliverability, the law (as it relates to email marketing), and more. She will help you understand how these issues can affect you and offer guidance in navigating them.
In her first blog post, she gives an update on the recent developments with the CAN-SPAM Act.
Welcome, Ellen!
Best, Amy
