Bulk Email Question - Can you help?

[DataRambler]

I've been given about 70 thousand email addresses, all of whom have applied for loans through a number of different websites over the last 18 months. They have all ticked the T&C's section when previously applying saying they are willing to receive emails regarding other financial matters.

All I have it an excel spredsheet with all the email addresses on and first name/ surname.

I would like to bulk email this database of email addresses about our debt management services.

I have encountered a number of different problems with various email software systems:-

1) Some email softwares systems like 'Constant Contact' wont deal with anything financial on mass emails.

2) A Weber wont just 'bulk email' the email addresses i upload, it has to send them an email 1st and confirm they want to 'opt in', many of whom probably wont opt in again!

3) Some system will only let you add 1000 email addresses per day.

4) Others want to charge through the roof to send emails in bulk.



MY QUESTION = Does anyone know of a great bulk emailing software system where i can just 'upload' the 70,000 emails addresses along with first name to personalise and start sending emails to the lot regarding financial matters, Also one that is free / reasonably priced?

I would appreciate your help in this matter!

 

[debbidoo]

You're going to come up against problems wherever you go, I think - because it sounds like although these people ticked a box in someone's T&Cs to say they wouldn't mind hearing more, they didn't specifically ask to receive newsletters or emails from YOU. So, it's not real permission.

Also, the high volume of data you've got there (70,000) will set all the alarm bells ringing, because it's usually only big brands that can honestly say they collected that many addresses with genuine permission. And if you're broadcasting to that many addresses, proportionately the chances of going over the (something like) 1% 'marked as spam' limit are that much higher - which is potentially catastrophic for a bulk mailing company which works hard to keep itself whitelisted.

Of the options you've listed above, I think Aweber sounds like your best bet. Sure, you'll get loads of unsubscribes... but at least you'll have a chance at using your list at all, which is unlikely to happen if you attempt to use it through most reputable mailing houses.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news

 

[Dean]

A few years back I use to use some software called Mail Loop but dont seem to be able to find it anymore.

Moving forward as our database got bigger we had a system built on our website that we could log into, enter email address and bulk send. This could be an option for yourself and i'm sure a decent developer would be able to arrange this for a nominal fee.

Hope this helps,

Dean

 

[DataRambler]

Surely their has to be a way? If not oh well back to the drawing board with them!

 

[bluedreamer]

As debbidoo (love that name!) said, you're treading into a very murky area, and you're most likely to be flagged as a spammer, and that might result in a lot of blacklisting.

There are plenty of good quality heavy duty Mailing list systems around that you manage yourself on your own site - http://www.12all.com and http://www.interspire.com spring to mind, and both will handle large lists. It's your risk and your head on the chopping block

Unfortunately the "financial" sector is one of many marked as high risk because it's been over abused by spammers over the years.

If you really want to build up a mailing list, start afressh and get subscribers from your own site, make the list double opt-in, and you'll be doing it properly.

 

[sasalestraining]

Try Mail Chimp

First use the free service and create a form and start collecting real users. This will help you to get verified.

Import around 1000 to 2000 people and then get verified. Show them your website and say you collected your names from their.

Once verified you can slowly import the rest of your database.

 

[SwanOfficeSupplies]

There are plenty of good quality heavy duty Mailing list systems around that you manage yourself on your own site - 12all url and interspire url spring to mind, and both will handle large lists. It's your risk and your head on the chopping block ....

We use Email Marketer from Interspire, it handles large lists and is very customisable. It's not badly priced either, it's better to purchase and host on your own domain, at least then you are in full control. Try to avoid a shared server as you probably won't have access to cron in order to setup scheduling autoresponders.

I would try and get people who have genuinely shown an interest in your products and are willing to let you email them. You only get one shot!

cheers
Russ
SwanOfficeSupplies.com

 

[DataRambler]

Thanks peeps

 

[sean@topquoter]

Hi DataRambler,

For a small fee we can send these emails for you and give you full reports, we do SMS and EMAIL broadcasting for a number of big companies.

Send me a message for further information

 

[willi22]

was just reading this article by seth godin http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/02/email-campaign-case-studies-one-good-one-bad.html