Tips to help you keep your Newsletters out of the spam folder

There are 12.4 billion spam message being sent on a daily basis and everyone who uses email sets up ways to filter the spam messages out and of course some non-spam messages always end up in the spam folder.

Do you send out Newsletters on a regular basis to communicate with your users?

If not, you should start…email newsletters are one of the best ways to communicate to your users and to stay on top of your customer’s minds. They should go out on a regular schedule with a consistent format.

But how can your ensure that your Newsletters don’t end up in the spam folder? Here are some tips:

Keep HTML Simple and Well coded

Make sure that all of your HTML tags are valid and that all of the open tags have their appropriate closing tags. Do not use a lot of images. Keep message size no more than 50K

Also, do not use

• Scripts (e.g.. JavaScript, VBScript)
• Java
• Frames and IFrames
• Tooltips
• Active X
• Video
• Audio
• External Style Sheets
• Meta Refresh

Use Capitalization Sparingly

Capitalization words are viewed as “spammy” and you should use them sparingly.

Avoid using Spam Filtering Words in your content

• Avoid Spam Filters That Flag The “To Unsubscribe” and “To be removed” Phrases - Do not use these phrases in your removal notice. A number of spam filters flag emails containing that particular word as possible spam. The reason is many spammers now offer “unsubscribe” functions that don’t actually do anything. Read alternative phrases you can use instead of “To Unsubscribe” and “To be removed“.
• Avoid Spam Filters That Flag Chain Letters - Some spam filters are flagging emails that asks readers to forward the newsletter on as chain letters.
  Avoid using the word “forward” and any of the following words in the same sentence, “all, anyone, every, friends, many, others, people.” Instead of “forward,” try using “pass,” “share,” or “send.”
• There are many other words that trigger spam filters. Here is a list of 250 Words & Phrases That Trigger Some Spam Filters
  

Check if your Domain name has been blacklisted

Use this utility to check if your domain has been blacklisted. It checks multiple blacklists at once to see if your domain is on a black list.

Avoid E-Mail Software Used by Spammers

Cheaper email marketing software is not always the best way to go. Spammers use these cheaper services to send out spam because it is affordable. Ask your email software company what relationships they have with major email companies. You may have to pay more for these services but it maybe well worth it.

Use a Spam Checker to Test Your Message

I run all of my newsletters through SpamCheck, which is a free service that analysis your newsletter and gives you a spam score. It will also send you recommendations on how to reduce the odds of your email ending up in a spam mailbox.

More Resources:

Avoiding anti-spam filters
Spam Filters and Salmon (how spam filters think)
2007 Email Design Guidelines