Newsletter

As a newsletter [ nu ː z ˌ lɛtɚ ] (English for, handout ',' distributor message 'or' newsletter ') is referred to / send - circular one (mostly electronic ).

Newsletters are published in the original sense by churches, clubs, organizations and businesses to their members, customers or employees to inform about news. Some newsletters are free of charge and will be sent only to subscribers. For companies, they are a modern form of customer magazine. Many designated as a newsletter e-mails to online customers are in fact only pure promotional e- mails with low information content.

Technically related mailing lists, in which, however, each member can also send messages to the mailing list.

History

Originally the term referred to a periodic print format of a few pages, which combined in the shortest form of news and advice on the most commercial issues. Today this refers mainly electronic newsletter.

Method

Information (usually on specific topics ) are more or less regularly sent in this form of publication by e -mail or SMS to a group of recipients. Here, the rules of data protection are adhered to. The recipients have themselves registered as interested in a newsletter list, the consent ( opt-in), the receiver is thus present.

The dispatch of the newsletter is considered outbound technology (Newsletter engine), obtained for processing email messages as inbound ( Function E- mail call center).

Shipping and feedback

Here, the shipping as a plain text version (plain text) or / and also in (X ) HTML ( multipart format) can take place. Even sending a newsletter as a PDF document attached to an email occurs occasionally. In this case, the sender puts it above all value that the sent newsletter can be printed easily. This ensures that each receiver, no matter the setting, the e-mail can also be read. Opening the e- mails can be logged for statistical purposes ( View Tracking). This may result in recipient behavior, number of openings, redirects, etc. seen and the knowledge gained will be used for future newsletters. A combination of newsletters called campaign. Newsletters are a great tool of direct marketing to achieve quick results in the areas of trend analysis, opinion surveys, polls, quizzes, etc..

Programs for our newsletter Shipping

There are a number of programs that allow management of distribution lists, an automatic logging on and off, and a comfortable, create newsletters.

Special engines for Newsletter are available in every price range, from open-source and freeware solutions to several hundred thousand euros. It is here on the flexibility of the software solution, ie with which "intelligence" can the emails composed (personalized and addresses ) and at what speed can the emails be produced and shipped. Powerful software solutions can assemble complex Newsletter in a short time, so even no duplications occur when sending thousands of newsletters (have to). However, database programs for customer data management can be used with an add -on for the newsletters. It is important to DV - technical integration into the existing customer relationship management.

Freeware variants or versions for private, non-commercial use frequently have limitations as to the number of recipients. However, many open source programs to lift this limitation.

A newsletter can also be sent via standard mail programs such as Outlook Express or Mozilla Thunderbird. Here, a mail is sent to a distribution list that is managed using the address book. The recipients come here usually to the BCC field. With a larger base address but this is problematic as no longer reachable addresses ( bounces) and registration must be sorted manually. Moreover, it is possible to personalize the mail and a successful evaluation of this variant. In addition, the possibilities of the newsletter shipment are usually limited on a normal user account in traditional Web providers and offer only a limited number of recipients ( limit for e -mail copies and CC or BCC).

For professional shipping company instruct most special newsletter provider, for providing such software. This is distribution lists as well as logging on and off can comfortably manage, customize and personalize mails and newsletter campaigns to control and evaluate. Moreover, such a provider provides several measures to ensure that the sent mails arrive at the receivers and not get caught in spam filters. In this context, especially the so-called whitelisting is gaining importance. Lately, greylisting and the Sender Policy Framework (SPF ) are becoming increasingly important. However, caution in the use of external email providers is required. One can not understand what happens with the email addresses and if they can not be sold or used in any way without permission. In addition, hackers, due to the large amounts of email addresses, very interested to hack the web server from newsletter services and email services, and to steal the email addresses located there and then to abuse for their own purposes.