Over the weekend, we added a few enhancements and fixes to the Genie. We’re constantly trying to make it easier, faster, and simply better. This last round of changes (detailed below) also adds an entirely new feature:

1. Paste as plain text [new]

This new feature allows you to copy content from any location and paste as plain text (un-formatted and non-garbled). To use this feature, click on the new icon in the Genie toolbar - top right-most icon - then simply copy and paste the content into articles.

2. File upload system [revised]

Our newly revised file upload system simplifies the entire adding media process. No more flip-flopping back and forth between versions and types based on browsers; the new system is completely universal and works like a wonder.

3. Spellchecker enhancements

Couple changes to the spellchecker that should make it more useful. In order to use the spellchecker, you do have to click on the icon (from the toolbar) in each article. Once enabled within the article, misspelled words will underline in red.

4. Improved article styling

We’ve resolved some issues related to linked articles that caused the custom styles to be ignored. You now have even more flexibility in styling every individual element within your newsletter - have fun!

5. Speed boost

The latest and greatest jQuery features and functions have been rolled into Genie and users may notice some performance gains in speed and stability.

A couple weeks ago we terminated the previous preview system because people were taking advantage of the free limitless emails that could be sent with just a few extra clicks.

We’re launching a new system on Saturday that maintains the flexibility you (our customer) would like, and provides limitations and constraints that won’t negatively affect us as an email marketing service provider.

Any free trial account will only be able to send previews to the contact email within the account. To see that email address:

1. Log in to your account
2. Click on Settings in the top-right corner
3. Click on Member Profile
4. Scroll down to Account Contact and note the Email Address field

All other accounts will be able to send to a variety of email addresses based on the following rules:

1. Email addresses must exist in a subscriber category
2. All previews will count against sending quota

Implications of These Changes

First, the easiest way to adjust to the new policy is to create a new subscriber group called “Previews,” and add any preview email address you may use into that subscriber group.

Second, if you have an Unlimited plan, each preview email address will count against your subscriber count quota (which should be negligible). If you have Standard, Pay As You Go, or Bulk, each individual send will count against your quota as an email being sent.

Thank you for your continued support and please let us know how else we can provide superior email marketing services.

Warm regards,

Steve Newman
GM @ MNB

In order to remain competitive and provide our clients with the very best email marketing solution, MyNewsletterBuilder is revising a portion of our quota and pricing structure. We are making three changes that every client should know about:

1. New caps on Unlimited Sending plans
2. Revised pricing structure on Pay As You Go plans
3. New Volume Sending Plans (for multi-million emails per month accounts)

1. For Unlimited Sending Plans:

We are revising the monthly cap on total volume to 22 times the subscriber level. This applies to accounts that have 15,000 (or more) subscribers.

Example: you subscribe to the 25,000 subscriber level - total volume for the month is limited at 22 x 25,000 = 550,000 emails.

Even with this new cap on total volume, you can send significantly more email using MNB than any of our competition.

2. Revised Pay As You Go Plan:

These emails expire 1 year from date of purchase.
* Minimum purchase of 6,000 emails ($95) to initiate account

# EMAILS - COST ($/email)
1,000 - $20 ($0.0200)
5,000 - $75 ($0.0150)
10,000 - $140 ($0.0140)
25,000 - $250 ($0.0100)
50,000 - $450 ($0.0090) (requires approval)
100,000 - $800 ($0.0080) (requires approval)
250,000 - $1125 ($0.0045) (requires approval)
Need more - call for custom quote

3. Volume Sending Plan

These are high volume, monthly, sending plans.
1 to 10 million per month - $600 per million
11 to 20 million per month - $500 per million
20+ million per month = $400 per million

By the end of November, every account effected by these changes will be moved onto new plans.

We know that these changes may have a grander affect on some of you and we are offering interim plans to help bridge the gap. I encourage you to call your sales rep between now and November 30 to secure a revised plan.

Warm regards,

Steve Newman
General Manager

Your call to action doesn’t always have to be about sales in order to promote sales.  Enhancing brand awareness and encouraging interaction can also come in other forms, such as through fundraisers.  Consider the opportunity inherent in supporting a cause - not only can you raise money, resources and awareness for a good cause or charity of your choice, but you can build your relationship with your readers by inviting them to join you. 

You can use your opt-in email marketing efforts to reach out to your audience and ask them to participate with you in a good cause.  There are several different ways that you can invite your email marketing contacts to join you.  For example, you might choose to focus on raising money or on collection of donations of goods or services. You might invite people to join in on an event such as a fundraiser walk that allows people to chose between donating their time and effort and donating money/sponsorship.  Once you have your focus, consider the ways that you can expand your efforts.  If you’re raising money, you can offer to match the contributions of your email newsletter subscribers.  If you are trying to collect donations, have a drop-off station at your store and consider offering specials to participating customers.

The benefits here are numerous.  There is the good work that you are doing in your community, and this should be held in the highest regard.  Creating a stronger, better business as result is simply a fantastic value-added effect.  You are also building your reputation in your community which goes above and beyond just your email subscribers, it creates visibility to a much larger audience.

Hype (noun):  promotion of a product or idea intensively and aggressively, potentially exaggerating it’s importance.

Hype happens in the course of marketing, both email marketing and print marketing.  It’s natural to extend beyond the matter-of-fact into enthusiastic statements of support.  What is important is that you don’t go too far.  Whether you’re drafting the content for the product’s packaging or writing up a description for an email newsletter, you need to make sure that your copy stays within the realm of reason.  There are two reasons this is important:  one, you need to assume that at least some of your customers will be savvy, educated cats; and two, you want to ensure that you are preserving the integrity of your company’s voice.  You will definitely lose credibility should anyone catch you in the act of inserting hyperbole into your copy - unless, and you must be very, very skilled to use this technique - the obvious “we’re joking here and being witty by saying this” nature of the copy is easy to spot.

In opt-in email marketing you have an opportunity both to avoid hype and represent yourself and your offerings honestly and to shine a bright light on other industry hype to help your customers make educated choices.  While you should avoid finger-pointing and name calling, it is just fine to factually represent and compare other products, industries, etc.  If your competitor has a killer marketing campaign that sticks easily in the mind, there isn’t anything you can do to remove that from the minds and memories of your (and their) audience.  What you can do is create a compelling campaign of your own AND be sure to highlight the true nature of what each of you has to offer.