email marketing Archives

Email Marketing Glossary: 10 Terms You Should Know

November 9, 2023 / Email Basics / By Alex Gallagher

Do you speak email marketing language? For email newbies, the unique terms marketers use can be a roadblock to getting started. If you want to cut through the jargon and make the most of your chosen email marketing tools, learning the language is an easy first step. Here are 10 terms to get you started on your path to email mastery.

Segmentation

In email marketing, segmentation involves dividing your email list into smaller categories based on specific characteristics or behaviors. With segmentation, you can send subscribers the most relevant information. Some common methods for segmentation include:

Interest groups
Segmentation by demographics (age, gender, etc.)
Segmentation by location
Behavior-based segmentation
Purchase-based segmentation
Engagement-based segmentation

Email marketing tools like Mailchimp provide straightforward options to begin segmenting your audience. Check out our guide to tags, groups, and segments for more info.

Personalization

Personalization means customizing email content for individual recipients. This may use a recipient’s name or past behavior, and is often simpler to set up than it sounds! Marketing platforms like Mailchimp and Klaviyo use merge tags to customize how an email will appear to each subscriber.

Deliverability

In simple terms, deliverability means keeping your emails out of spam. Several factors can impact deliverability, including domain configuration, list hygiene, and compliance with GDPR and CAN-SPAM regulations. Because deliverability is impacted by so many different variables, working with an email marketing expert is often the best way to address deliverability issues.

Accessibility

Accessibility in email marketing means designing emails everyone can enjoy. Subscribers with disabilities, especially people using screen readers, can often run into difficulties reading the content of an inaccessible email. By using alt text and high-contrast colors, email marketers can improve their emails’ accessibility and make them available to all.

Engagement

In email marketing, engagement is the level of responsiveness your audience has to your content. Some common ways of measuring engagement include click rates, open rates, and revenue. For more information, check out our article on email marketing metrics.

A/B Testing

A/B testing is the practice of sending two different versions of an email to a sample of your audience to determine which performs better. You may A/B test an email’s content, “from” name, subject line, or other elements.

Call-to-Action (CTA)

An email’s CTA prompts recipients to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or signing up. It typically takes the form of a text link or a button. Some emails may include multiple CTA’s, while others focus in on one main action.

List Hygiene

List hygiene is routine maintenance for your email audience. Marketers with good list hygiene regularly remove inactive and/or invalid email addresses. Maintaining a clean email list can help with deliverability. If you’ve never cleaned your list, try starting with a straightforward tool like Zerobounce.

Subject Lines

Subject lines are the brief text that appears at the top of an email. They typically give subscribers a glimpse of the email’s content, and can be thought of as an email’s “title.” All emails are required to have a subject line, so developing an engaging subject is essential for email marketing success.

Preview Text

Preview text is a snippet of text that accompanies the subject line. Depending on your email client, it may display slightly shorter or longer than the subject line. Preview text often contains a snippet of text from the email copy itself.

Go Beyond the Basics with Pure Firefly

Maximizing your email marketing success takes more than a grasp of the basics. Pure Firefly offers 1-on-1 training sessions on the nuances of Mailchimp strategy, template design, and campaign analytics. Or contact us to kick off ongoing marketing work including account set-up, Mailchimp audits, template creation, and more.

relaxed small business owner surrounded by sales tags

Stress-Free Black Friday Email Marketing for Small Businesses

September 15, 2023 / Marketing Strategy / By Alex Gallagher

In the race of Black Friday email marketing, small businesses may find themselves overwhelmed with questions. Here are answers to 5 of the most frequently asked questions about Black Friday email marketing for small businesses. By developing an effective strategy in advance, you can get ahead of the Black Friday frenzy and spend more time enjoying the holiday. (For maximum relaxation, you can always work with an email marketing partner.)

How Many Black Friday Emails Should I Send?

Small businesses need to strike a balance between staying at the top of their subscribers’ inboxes and overwhelming them with too much messaging. Typically, Black Friday sales should warrant between 3 and 5 emails. Here are some campaigns any small business should consider when preparing for Black Friday / Cyber Monday:

“Coming Soon:” Let subscribers know what you’ll be offering at least a week in advance
“Sneak Peek:” Give VIP customers a closer look at your deals
“It’s Here:” Announce when the sale has begun
“24 Hours Remain:” Remind subscribers not to miss this sale
“Don’t Forget to Check Out:” Use an abandoned cart automation to recover missed sales

Because Black Friday is such a major retail holiday, some small businesses may want to update their routine automations with a temporary banner or Black Friday Shoutout. An email marketing agency like Pure Firefly can work with you to create automations that convert.

When should I start planning for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

In order to effectively execute a Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday Campaign, small businesses should leave plenty of time for planning and promoting their sale. Small businesses should start planning their Black Friday email marketing in August. By starting in August, you leave your team plenty of time to develop a multi-channel marketing strategy and prepare to fulfill an influx of orders.

What marketing channels should I use to promote my sale?

Today, more and more people are using their mobile devices to access information. This makes digital marketing channels like email and social media more important than ever. If you use an email marketing platform like Mailchimp, you may find that you have a variety of multi-channel tools already at your fingertips. Consider booking a training session with a digital marketing expert to look at your marketing options and build out a strategy in advance.

How can I stand out during the Black Friday rush?

Small businesses looking to stand out should use email marketing to reach previous and potential customers alike. Build anticipation a week or two in advance and use segmentation to target different types of customers. For example, you may reward customers who have purchased more than 3 times by opening the sale to them in advance. An abandoned cart automation can also make a huge impact on your Black Friday / Cyber Monday sales as well.

Be sure to sync up personalized, engaging email content with your marketing on other platforms. By meeting your customers where they are, you can ensure that your sale stays top-of-mind and stands out amongst competitors.

How do I know what’s working?

To evaluate your Black Friday / Cyber Monday campaign’s success, take a look back at last year’s performance and set a goal for this year. You may want to exceed last year’s Black Friday revenue by $1,000, or maybe you want to acquire 50 new customers. Most small businesses will find it most effective to evaluate success using a combination of various metrics. For example, your Black Friday announcement email may have earned a massive click rate but a low revenue if your site crashes or users are not impressed by the products you offer.

Is it your first year setting Black Friday marketing goals? Try comparing metrics to your most recent sale, or work with a marketing expert to set goals that work best for your business.

Prepare for Black Friday with Pure Firefly

Pure Firefly is a full-service email marketing agency that specializes in working with small businesses and nonprofits. As a small business ourself, we understand how every moment makes a difference when growing your business. Save time and stress by hiring us to develop your Black Friday campaign, or book a strategy call so we can work with you to refine your plan.

100 High-Converting Email Subject Lines for Nonprofits

August 17, 2023 / Marketing Strategy / By Alex Gallagher

A great subject line is the key to capturing your audience’s attention and inspiring them to engage with your emails. Whether you’re sending monthly newsletters, welcome emails, or automated campaigns, a well-crafted email subject line can make a huge impact on your nonprofit. In this guide, we’ve curated 100 high-converting subject lines designed specifically for nonprofits. From creating urgency to tugging at heartstrings, we’ve got you covered.

Need more help? Try a one-on-one call with one of our email experts.

Make Monthly Newsletters Pop

Monthly newsletters are one of the most popular forms of email. While many marketers are turning toward automations in recent years, monthly newsletters remain a common practice for a reason. These emails provide a space for any information you need to share, making them highly flexible. Plus, the infrequent sending schedule makes it highly unlikely that subscribers will be overwhelmed by a monthly newsletter. Here are 13 subject lines for your next monthly nonprofit newsletter:

Your [MONTH] Newsletter is Here!
What We’ve Achieved Lately
Be the First to Know
Our Monthly Roundup
What We Did Together in [MONTH]
Your [MONTH] Dose of Good News
Lets Connect: Impact, Updates, Events
Your [MONTH] Newsletter is Waiting
Writing New Chapters
[MONTH] Tales of Collaboration
[MONTH] Update: Government Engagements
Monthly [ORGANIZATION] Insider
Notes from the Frontlines

Write a Warm Welcome Email

Welcome emails are one of the most important steps in a new subscriber’s relationship with your organization. Set up welcome email automation to start your marketing off on the right foot and show new subscribers what they’ll be receiving. Here are 14 email subjects for nonprofits to help your welcome email attract a stellar open rate:

Welcome Home: Where Hope Lives
Your Journey Starts Here
Welcome to [ORGANIZATION]
Let’s Change the World Together
You’re Signed Up
Welcome to the Movement
You’re a Part of the Change
You’ve Taken the First Step
You’re Here – What’s Next?
Make an Impact Just by Joining
Your Support Means the World
Let’s Work Together
Together, We’ll Create a Brighter Future
Join Us, Change Lives

Share a Heartwarming Story

Showing the impact of your organization is a great way to keep people on board with your cause. Any nonprofit organization should make human stories a part of its email marketing strategy, either in its welcome series or through a scheduled email campaign. Here are 15 subject lines that tug on subscriber’s heartstrings:

A Story of Resilience
One Life Transformed
Lighting up Lives
The Power of Community Support
Change We Make Together
How My Life was Changed
Why I Work with [ORGANIZATION]
Barriers Broken, Lives Restored
The Ripple Effect
Life in a Turning Tide
A Lesson on Hope
[NAME] Shares their Story
A Study in Support
Follow [NAME]’s Journey
Why We do the Work

Event Invites are Everything

Many nonprofit supporters look forward to the next time they can engage with the causes they care about in person. To boost attendance at your next event, consider running a multiple-email campaign to generate excitement. Pure Firefly has helped several nonprofits boost event attendance and donations with email marketing. Here are 15 email subjects to help you do the same:

Join Us for a Night of Impact
Save the Date
You’re Invited, [NAME]
Will We See You Tonight?
Mark Your Calendars: [EVENT] Tonight!
Seats Are Filling Up
Last Chance to Register
Only 5 Tickets Left
Space is Limited
Make an Impact In Person
Let’s Make Miracles Happen
Music, Laughter, and Heartfelt Stories
Celebrate The Art of Giving
A Night to Remember
Bid, Win, Change Lives

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

Donations are the backbone of many nonprofits’ funding, and soliciting them is a key element of a successful nonprofit email marketing strategy. To boost opens on your next call for donations, try using segmentation and one of these 14 subject lines:

Be a Champion for Change
Join Our Movement: Stronger Together
Stand Up for What Matters
Fuel Our Mission
Together We Thrive
Make an Impact Today
Why I Give
Make Your Voice Heard
Rally for Change: We Need You
Let’s Build a Better Future
Amplify Your Impact
Ignite Hope Around the World
Give Back, Gain Joy
Help Us Fight Hunger

Celebrate Your Successes

If you’re asking subscribers for support, don’t forget to show them what their support helps you accomplish. Sharing success stories can boost morale across your entire subscriber base, and shows that donations aren’t going to waste. Celebrate your achievements with these 14 engaging subject lines:

See Hope in Action
Making Dreams Possible
Impact Achieved: Thank You
Hearts Full, Mission Accomplished
Our Hearts Are Full
We Exceeded Expectations
We Did It!
Raising Over $1000 for Change
Bidding Wars: Remember Auction Night?
Looking Back on Cinematic Magic
School Built, Dreams Flourish
We Made an Impact Together
This is the Power of Unity
You Made It Happen

Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

Transactional emails are an often-overlooked part of nonprofit email marketing. When subscribers donate to your organization or attend an event, sending an immediate thank you message shows that you care. Many email platforms provide tools for setting up automated thank you’s, making this achievable for even the smallest nonprofit teams. Here are 15 email subject lines for an impactful nonprofit thank you:

Thank You, [NAME]
You Just Made a Difference
Who Your Donation Helps
Your Support Matters
Endless Thanks
Your Donation Helps Us Change the World
You’re a Philanthropic Hero
We’re Grateful for Your Generosity
Our Gratitude Soars
Heartfelt Thanks
You Make Miracles Happen
Thanks for Changing Lives
You’re Supporting Progress for All
You Are Amazing
High-Five for Impact

Reach New Heights with Pure Firefly

There’s more to successful email marketing than a good subject line. To unlock email marketing that converts, consider working with an email expert like the ones at Pure Firefly. Our team is Mailchimp and Klaviyo certified, with over 10 years of experience in design & IT. Contact us anytime for a free consultation.

Plus, Mailchimp users can book a one-on-one call with an email specialist as little as 24 hours in advance.

a desketop computer showing cc vs bcc in black text

Email Basics: What’s the Difference Between CC & BCC?

August 11, 2023 / Email Basics / By Alex Gallagher

The invention of email predates the internet as we know it. Even though the tool has been around for decades, there are still several terms that can be baffling for new users. Two of the most commonly confused fields are CC (Carbon Copy) and BCC (Blind Carbon Copy). While they may seem similar at first glance, they serve distinct purposes and have unique implications for email privacy. In this blog post, we will delve into the difference between CC and BCC, explore their functionalities, and shed light on when to use each one effectively.

If you need more help with email basics, don’t hesitate to contact our team of email specialists.

CC (Carbon Copy)

CC is an email field that allows you to send a copy of the email to additional recipients. When you add someone to the CC field, all recipients in the email can see who else received a copy of the message. It’s a transparent way of including others in the conversation and keeping them informed. For example, if you’re sending an email to a colleague and want your supervisor to be aware of the discussion, you can CC your supervisor. The recipient in the CC field is not expected to take any specific action; they are simply being kept in the loop.

BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)

On the other hand, the BCC field is a powerful tool for maintaining privacy and confidentiality in email communication. When you add someone to the BCC field, they receive a copy of the email, but their email address remains hidden from other recipients. This means that the email’s direct recipients (in the To field) and CC recipients are unaware of the individual(s) in the BCC field. BCC is particularly useful when sending a mass email to a large group of recipients who may not know each other, especially when you want to protect the privacy of your contacts.

Each recipient receives the email as if they were the sole recipient, maintaining confidentiality and preventing unintentional reply-all situations.

Using CC and BCC Effectively

To ensure effective communication and respect recipient privacy, it’s important to use CC and BCC thoughtfully. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Use CC for Transparency

CC is appropriate when you want to involve multiple parties in a conversation, without sending directly to multiple recipients. This is a great option for teams where multiple people are working with one client. CC’ing your team on an email can keep everyone informed while reserving the To field for clients. When using CC, just be mindful of the recipients’ privacy. All recipients can see who is CC’ed on an email, and some may not appreciate seeing a long list of people in the CC field.

2. Use BCC for Privacy and Confidentiality

BCC is ideal when sending emails to a large group, especially when the recipients may not know each other. It helps prevent recipients from seeing each other’s email addresses and maintains confidentiality. Email confidentiality is incredibly important, especially when sending sensitive information, so BCC is an important option to protect your contacts. If you have questions about email privacy and confidentiality, consider a one-on-one call with one of our email experts.

3. Use BCC for Bulk Email

Ever want to send the same email to a large group of people, without all of them knowing that you’ve sent to a large group of people? This is one instance where BCC can come in handy. None of the To field, CC, or BCC recipients can see who has been BCC’ed on an email. This can give the appearance of one-on-one communication, with the ease of sending in bulk. If you’re a small business using bulk email for marketing, be sure to follow legal guidelines like CAN-SPAM and GDPR. Check out our guide to deliverability to learn more.

4. Consider Context and Content

Before adding someone to CC or BCC, carefully consider the relevance and necessity of their involvement. Ensure that the content of the email aligns with the recipients’ expectations and needs. If you need help developing engaging email content, consider working with an email marketing expert like the ones at Pure Firefly.

Make Pure Firefly Your Email Guides

As a new email marketer, understanding email best practices is crucial for effective communication and engagement. Pure Firefly, a trusted expert in email marketing, can provide the guidance and training needed to navigate email strategies successfully. Visit Pure Firefly’s Contact page to get in touch with our experienced team. For those seeking comprehensive training on Mailchimp and email marketing in general, one-on-one training is a great option. Our email experts are happy to share their insights backed by over 10 years of experience in digital marketing.

Top 3 Segments for Nonprofits

June 27, 2023 / Marketing Strategy / By Alex Gallagher

Without effective segmentation, sometimes sending emails can feel like screaming into the void. Each week, you send messages, only to see the same engagement. In 2023, sending every email to your full audience just doesn’t cut it anymore. To maximize effectiveness, nonprofits should use segmentation to ensure the right messages reach the right people. Here are our top 3 audience segments for nonprofits, plus some more guidance on segmentation.

Why is Segmentation Important?

Effective segmentation matches your emails’ messaging to the appropriate contacts. While some emails, like a monthly educational newsletter, can be safely sent to your full audience, the same is not true for every campaign. For example, you wouldn’t want to send a 50% off coupon on an online course to contacts who already purchased it at full price. Similarly, you shouldn’t send an email about an event in Georgia tomorrow to contacts in Norway tonight.

With appropriate segmentation, you can ensure that contacts receive the emails that most appeal to them. Your audience is more likely to engage with these emails, and will appreciate being spared from emails they never opened in the first place. Segmentation is just one element of a smarter marketing strategy.

How Do You Implement Segmentation?

A segmentation strategy should always begin with setting a goal, then gathering the appropriate data on your audience.

Many platforms offer predictive tools to help you estimate characteristics like location, age, and gender. Other audience info (like attendance at in-person events) may be stored on another platform. Using integrations to sync audience data across platforms can help keep your segmentation process simple.

Once you gather audience data, you can begin creating segments. Every email platform has their own tools for segmentation. However, most can be used to accomplish the same results. Mailchimp users, for example, can take advantage of tags, groups, segments, and fields. To learn more about creating segments, check out our blog post on Mailchimp’s segmentation tools.

Nonprofit Segment 1: The Diehard

Nonprofits looking to maximize engagement & donations shouldn’t let their most loyal supporters go unacknowledged. In many ways, the diehard segment is made up of your dream contacts. Maybe they open every email or have donated a cumulative amount over $3,000 dollars. The specifics of the diehard segment will vary depending on your organization’s size, reach, & goals. Here are some attributes which may make a contact match the diehard segment profile:

Opening all of your past 10 emails
Clicking on all of your past 5 emails
Donating more than 10 times
Donating over a certain cumulative amount
Donating on a monthly basis for over 3 months

However you slice and dice it, the diehard segment should be composed of your biggest supporters. These are the subscribers you should contact with special updates and invitations to your most exclusive events. Reward people for their generosity, and they are even more likely to keep coming back!

Need support with automating rewards to your most loyal supporters? Contact Pure Firefly to build a journey for you, including copywriting and template design.

Nonprofit Segment 2: The Local

Similar to the diehard, the local segment is likely to have relatively high engagement. These contacts may not be the most frequent donors, but they are closely tied to your organization’s goal. Local contacts are not necessarily geographically local (though they may be), but should have a close relationship to your organization in other ways. They may fit any of the following characteristics:

Lives within 50 miles of the community you serve
Has volunteered previously with your organization
Has connected with you via email replies or on other platforms
Is personally affected by the issue your organization addresses
Participates in organizations similar to your own

While these contacts may not be the most engaged or donate the largest amount, they play a valuable role in moving your organization toward its goals. Because these subscribers are likely to have a connection to your organization’s aims, they may appreciate personal stories and educational emails.

Local subscribers are also more likely to engage with calls for volunteer support and may amplify your message to others in their community. To learn about Mailchimp’s segmentation tools, including predicted location, consider setting up a training call with Pure Firefly.

Nonprofit Segment 3: The Newbie

When subscribers first join your audience, they present you with a major opportunity. These contacts are likely to be expecting emails and may be highly motivated to support your cause. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by: Use automated emails to Newbie segments to reach subscribers at key moments.

The Newbie segment should include characteristics like:

Just joined your audience
Recently attended their first event
Donated for the first time

Whenever a subscriber has a “first” with your organization, another opportunity for interaction opens up. Let your Newbies know how much they’re appreciated, and they may become diehard subscribers. This is what makes welcome automations such a key part of email marketing strategy!

Pure Firefly Can Help Level Up Your Segmentation

When it comes to segmentation, the possibilities are almost endless. The Diehard, the Local, and the Newbie are only 3 potential segments nonprofits should target with special messaging. Building segments tailored to your specific organization takes time and careful thought, so consider working with an email expert who can guide you through the process.

Pure Firefly’s team of email specialists has years of experience in marketing, IT, & design. To take the first step towards more effective segmentation, book a strategy call with one of our team members, or contact us for more information.

5 Essential Tips for an Effective Welcome Series in 2023

May 19, 2023 / Marketing Strategy / By Alex Gallagher

First impressions last a lifetime. In email marketing, a welcome series is your chance to make a good one! This automated series is an important tool for building relationships with your audience and turning subscribers into loyal customers or supporters. Here are 5 tips for creating an effective welcome series:

1. Make a Great First Impression

Your welcome series is the first impression that your subscribers will have of your brand, so it’s important to make it a good one. Use a clear and engaging subject line to entice your subscribers to open the email. Then, use a well-designed template that’s easy to read and clearly reflects your brand. Don’t forget to include a clear call-to-action (CTA) that encourages subscribers to engage.

2. Let the Data Guide You

When creating your welcome series, let the data guide you. Use information about your subscribers to create personalized content that speaks to their needs and interests. If you’ve sent emails before, use previous campaign analytics to inform your decisions about what to include in your welcome journey. Pure Firefly’s email marketing experts can help you analyze your data to create targeted content that resonates with your audience.

3. Get the Timing Right

Timing is everything when it comes to your welcome series. It’s essential to send frequently enough to stay top-of-mind without overwhelming your subscribers. Optimal timing may vary depending on your industry and audience, but many marketers find success with a 1-2-3 strategy.

In this strategy, the first welcome email is sent immediately, the second email is sent one day later, the following two days later, and all the remaining emails are sent three days apart. Contact Pure Firefly to learn how this strategy might work for your own welcome series.

4. Save Sales for the End

Welcome series can be incredibly helpful in generating sales. One study by Experian found that welcome emails generate 3 times higher revenue and transactions than regular promotional emails. However, don’t make the mistake of trying to sell too soon in your welcome series. Your subscribers are just getting to know your brand, so focus on building a relationship before making a sales pitch.

If you offer a free giveaway or discount in your signup form, provide that immediately, and then turn your attention to more educational content about your organization. Help subscribers trust and appreciate your brand before nudging them towards a sale.

5. Tell Your Story

Your welcome series is an opportunity to tell your brand’s story and share your values with your subscribers. Incorporating storytelling in a welcome automation can help tie all the emails together. Stories to focus on may include:

How & why your business was founded
Someone your organization has helped
Your founder’s bio
A story about the city/town/locality where you’re based
A major event you’ve hosted

Adding a personal touch to your welcome series can set you apart from your competitors and build trust with new subscribers. If you’re not sure how to incorporate storytelling into your welcome journey, consider working with an email marketing agency like Pure Firefly.

When in Doubt, Work with Pure Firefly

Storytelling, strategic timing, and data-backed design can all improve your welcome series. However, many brands don’t have the time or expertise to invest in an exceptional welcome series. If you need some support creating a welcome automation that works, reach out to Pure Firefly. We’re Mailchimp experts with years of experience in IT & design. Welcome automations are one of our most popular services. Contact us for a free quote or consultation!

Mailchimp Tags vs. Groups vs. Segments

May 5, 2023 / Mailchimp How-To, Marketing Strategy / By Alex Gallagher

Many new Mailchimp users wonder what the difference is between tags, groups, and segments. These three tools can all be used to organize your audience and send targeted campaigns. However, each tool is slightly different and is best suited to unique applications. Here’s a basic breakdown of all Mailchimp’s segmentation tools.

Mailchimp Tags are Labels for Your Contacts

Tags are Mailchimp’s simplest segmentation tool. Tags can be added automatically through imports, integrations, and automated journeys. They can also be assigned to contacts manually from the audience page.

When you add a tag to a subscriber, Mailchimp attaches it to the contact’s records like a label. Then, you can send targeted campaigns to all contacts who have that label attached. Tags can also be used to trigger automations, or as a simple way to store & organize data about your contacts.

Some example uses for tags could be:

Manually tagging all contacts who attended an event
Tagging any contacts who have purchased something in-person
Automatically tagging subscribers that sign up through a particular form

Need help creating your tags? Try a strategy call with one of our email experts.

Create Categories with Mailchimp Groups

Similar to tags, Mailchimp groups can identify your contacts based on their interests or characteristics. However, groups are organized into categories, while tags have no hierarchical organization.

It can be helpful to envision groups on your signup form: the group category is the “question” which potential subscribers answer by selecting one (or more) of your group options. Visible groups give contacts the opportunity to opt into the kinds of emails which most interest them. However, groups can also be hidden and used internally to organize an audience into general categories. At Pure Firefly, we often use groups during audience consolidation projects. Contact us to learn more!

One example of a hidden group would be a category for “State Employees” with the groups: State Representative, Senator, and Staffer.

Segments Are Filters: They Change with Your Audience

A Mailchimp segment is a filter composed of a series of logical statements. When you set up a segment from your All Contacts page, segment page, or campaign builder, you identify the characteristics you want to apply to all contacts in a segment. Then, Mailchimp continuously updates your saved segment with any audience members who match these characteristics.

These characteristics may include any of the following elements:

Information about your contacts: Name, email, location, etc.
What contacts have done: Campaign activity, e-commerce purchases, etc.
Groups and Tags

Compared to groups and tags, segments are more “stretchy.” This means that they adjust with your audience. For example, a segment with the conditions: “Campaign activity > Has opened > All of the last 5 campaigns” will continuously change as you send more campaigns and different contacts open them. One day, the segment may contain 100 contacts, and then drop to 80 after you send a new campaign.

Mailchimp’s segment builder is updated frequently, so keep an eye out for new segmentation options in the coming months. Or, set up a call with one of our email specialists to step up your segmentation game.

Pure Firefly Can Help You Set Up Effective Segmentation

If all of Mailchimp’s segmentation options make your head spin, don’t worry! Pro Partners like Pure Firefly can help you set up segments, tags, and groups to maximize your emails’ engagement potential. Schedule a quick training call for one-time segmentation concerns. Or, for more extensive projects, contact us any time.

Our Mailchimp audit is a great way to check that all your segmentation options are used to their highest potential. Just shoot us an email to learn more!

Does Mailchimp Go to Spam? 5 Deliverability FAQs

May 2, 2023 / Mailchimp How-To / By Alex Gallagher

New Mailchimp users often ask: Does Mailchimp go to spam? The answer is, it depends. Who a user sends to, what they send, and how they send it all factor into their email deliverability. The good news is that Mailchimp takes several steps to help its users’ emails stay out of the spam folder.

When Does Mailchimp Go to Spam?

There are many reasons why a sender might find their emails are ending up in the spam folder. Believe it or not, the exact requirements inbox service providers check for spam are kept secret. This helps to prevent spammers from gaming the system. However, there are some guidelines which can help you make progress towards better deliverability.

If you’re wondering why your Mailchimp emails are going to spam, try the following steps:

Use a balance of images and text
Remove any all-caps from your subject line & email body
Watch out for common spam-triggering words and phrases
Check any custom HTML for errors
Ensure your DNS records are configured correctly

One major benefit of using a platform like Mailchimp is that deliverability guidance is built in. Mailchimp offers helpful tips, and will alert you if it detects a red flag on your account.

Why Does Abuse Prevention Matter for Deliverability?

Abuse prevention does more than keep Mailchimp’s public image strong. Deliverability and abuse prevention go hand in hand. By preventing abuse, Mailchimp keeps its users’ sender reputations high. This improves the likelihood that all Mailchimp emails will land in the inbox instead of the spam folder.

Did Mailchimp Put a Block on My Account?

If Mailchimp’s Compliance Team finds a red flag in your account, you’ll find a warning under your account settings. Typically, Mailchimp will also provide you with steps to resolve the issue. Be forewarned: multiple red flags can lead to permanent suspension.

Common red flags include:

Fake or anonymous account information
Using a free email service like gmail
Importing subscribers who haven’t opted in
Noncompliance with Mailchimp terms of use
Spikes in bounced emails, unsubscribes, or abuse reports

How Can I Monitor My Mailchimp Deliverability?

While Mailchimp takes several steps to help its users’ emails stay out of the spam folder, there are still some actions that you can take to monitor and improve your deliverability. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Monitor your email campaign statistics: Pay attention to your email campaign statistics, including open rates, click-through rates, bounce rates, and spam complaint rates. These metrics can help you identify any issues and adjust your email content and send frequency accordingly. If subscribers find your content valuable, they are less likely to report it as spam.
Keep your email list clean: Regularly remove inactive or disengaged subscribers from your email list to improve your deliverability. Mailchimp offers a variety of segmentation tools to help you manage your audiences and clean the old emails out. Plus, a list cleaning software like ZeroBounce can provide added insights on your audience.
Authenticate your domain: Authentication methods, such as DKIM and SPF, verify that your emails are coming from a trusted source and can improve your deliverability. Authenticating your domain with Mailchimp is one important step in this process. Consider a Mailchimp training if you need authentication support.
Test your emails before sending: Use Mailchimp’s preview and test tools to ensure your emails look and function as intended across different devices and email clients. Testing your emails can also help you identify issues in the code, which can have an impact on deliverability.

Where Can I Find More Deliverability Help?

For deliverability assistance, including domain authentication and audience analysis, consider working with a Mailchimp Pro Partner like Pure Firefly. Our email experts are trained in the most up-to-date deliverability guidelines. We can also help you identify why your emails are going to spam. Mailchimp & WordPress are our specialties, and we have familiarity with several popular domain registrars.

Our Mailchimp audit is one of the most valuable services to ensure your account is optimized for deliverability. Reach out for a free quote any time!

email marketing templates on a computer screen

Top 10 Email Marketing Template Resources

April 19, 2023 / Product Reviews / By Alex Gallagher

For some, designing a beautiful template is one of the most entertaining parts of email marketing. Meanwhile, others find template design more like pulling teeth. No matter which camp you fall into, a little inspiration can go a long way. Here are Pure Firefly’s top 10 template design resources (in no particular order) to get the ideas flowing.

1. Mailchimp’s Template Marketplace

As Mailchimp Pro Partners, we have to give a nod to Mailchimp’s template marketplace. With 47 expert-designed templates to choose from, this is a great place to start if you’re a Mailchimp user. Plus, this is one of the only resources on this list that can provide editable templates for the Mailchimp builder.

Browse Mailchimp’s Premium Templates

2. Really Good Emails

In the event that you’re just looking for inspiration and not for templates to download yourself, we can’t recommend Really Good Emails enough. Their library of over 10,000 templates updates every day with the best in email design. At Pure Firefly, we use Really Good Emails to keep an eye on design trends and incorporate them into our own templates.

Check out Really Good Emails

3. Newsletter Glue

While its selection of pre-built templates is somewhat limited, Newsletter Glue is a great option for designers who prefer designing in WordPress to email marketing tools. It’s a WordPress plug-in that integrates with 13 of the most popular email service providers.

Try Newsletter Glue

4. Litmus Email Templates

Litmus is an email powerhouse offering email testing, design, and analytics. As long as you create a free account, you can choose from over 50 templates for use in their builder.

Browse templates by Litmus

5. BeeFree

BeeFree is another free email builder and includes over 1250 templates. Free users can add templates to their favorites, then customize them.

Check out BeeFree templates

6. MailBakery Email Marketing Templates

MailBakery designs & sells responsive HTML email templates. Start with their free options and see if you like their style!

Browse free MailBakery templates

7. Envato Market (aka Themeforest)

Envato Market is an online market for email & web designers. They offer over 1,500 email designs and offer a variety of price points for any marketing need.

Go shopping on Envato Market

8. Topol.io Free Marketing Templates

Like BeeFree, Topol is another email builder. They offer a monthly plan, as well as a handful of free templates you can edit with or without a subscription.

Browse templates on Topol

9. Stripo

Stripo is an email marketing template resource with over 1300 templates to choose from, including free options. A subscription is needed to access Stripo’s complete functionality.

Check out Stripo’s HTML templates

10. Canva for Email Design

After getting inspired, Canva is the perfect place to design email graphics yourself. You can start from scratch or with one of their templates. Plus, most of Canva’s design tools are available for free.

Give Canva a try

(BONUS) 11. Hire an Expert at Pure Firefly

When in doubt, working with an expert is the best way to guarantee a fully-functional and aesthetically pleasing template. At Pure Firefly, we use a range of tools to build and test our templates, ensuring functionality on various platforms. After all, email is our happy place. Contact us today for a free quote!

*Note: This post may include affiliate links. When you sign up for Newsletter Glue through this post, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Newsletter Glue: One Marketer’s Perspective

April 7, 2023 / Product Reviews / By Alex Gallagher

Newsletter Glue is a WordPress plugin which allows users to create & send newsletters from within the WordPress builder. Plus, it integrates with 13 major email service providers. This week, I used Newsletter Glue to build Pure Firefly’s monthly newsletter. Here are a few pros and cons for those who might be interested in trying it out!

Easy Blog Updates

For many bloggers, streamlining the process from creating a new blog post to emailing it out to their subscribers can be a challenge. RSS campaigns can run into technical challenges and lack the editability some bloggers would prefer. However, manually copy and pasting blog posts into an email marketing platform also requires a significant time investment.

Newsletter Glue is a great fit for bloggers and organizations in this position. By using your WordPress builder to create & send emails, the plugin takes advantage of the skills you already have. This makes sending out blog updates a much faster process. As Newsletter Glue co-founder Leslie Sim shared, “Once everything is set up, our customers save, on average, an hour or more per newsletter.”

For people and organizations sending newsletters on a regular basis, those hours certainly add up!

Built-In Brand Consistency

When you build newsletters in Newsletter Glue, all of the formatting from your website carries over. This is a great way to ensure consistency between your website and newsletters, fortifying your overall brand voice.

While this built-in consistency can be a plus for some organizations, it can also come with some drawbacks. Because the builder incorporates your overall website styles, it can be challenging to differentiate campaigns with unique colors and/or fonts. Newsletter Glue’s builder does allow users to customize text & color settings for each block, but it will always default to the style settings a user has already established for their WordPress site.

This is one element which makes Newsletter Glue a better fit for informational newsletters than marketing campaigns.

Other Considerations

When I built Pure Firefly’s newsletter in Newsletter Glue, I did run into a few challenges with image formatting. The good news is that Newsletter Glue’s tech support team was responsive and helpful. We communicated via email and they responded to every message within 48 hours.

Newsletter Glue’s code is heavily tested and follows WordPress VIP Coding standards. Like any tool, it still has a few quirks. When trying it out for the first time, be sure to double check that your email is appearing as intended across email platforms. Check the Newsletter Glue documentation to ensure all your blocks are email compatible.

Overall, Newsletter Glue is a great fit for people who prefer creating posts in WordPress than building templates in their email marketing platform.

Ready to Build Your Newsletter?

Newsletters are one of the best ways to nurture relationships with your audience. Need some inspiration?

Pure Firefly sends a monthly newsletter with email tips, Mailchimp how-to’s, and food for thought from around the web. Plus, check out these recommendations from Lesley Sim:

Essential for email marketers: Dan Oshinsky’s Not A Newsletter
Entertaining takes on tech: Margins
Something for everyone online: David Wolfpaw
Artistic newsletters as lovely as paintings: John P Weiss’s Saturday Letters

Thanks to Lesley Sim for her help with this article. Check out her website at lesley.pizza, and definitely try out Newsletter Glue.

If you need help setting up your first newsletter, contact us for a consultation.

Note: This post may include affiliate links. When you sign up for Newsletter Glue through this post, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.