Mark

We at CCT currently use a solution called Email Reaction and have been doing so for the last 12 months. We too send around 2,500 emails a month and we have found that the functionality provided with the solution is excellent. We have delivery rates of around 96%, but this is for b2b marketing.  And we have had no issue when it comes to our emails displaying in Outlook, although I will say we do not use that many images in our email marketing.

May I suggest you get in contact with Email Reaction and discuss your requirements, Their website is http://www2.emailreaction.com/

Kind regards

Craig Neilson
CCT
www.cctonline.co.uk

CCT specialises in the design and support of complex business communications solutions.  A Deloitte Technology Fast Track 50 Company for the last 3 years, we are also winners of the Channel Network Awards ‘Call Centre Solution of the Year’ award for both 2004 and 2005. CCT is proud to be one of a handful of Avaya Platinum Business Partners

Mark

Have a look at the e-consultancy buyers guide Spinnakerpro is one of the featured solutions. One of the things we do as standard practice is to assist with rendering issues (new report on Outlook 2007 due next week) and blacklist monitoring. There is also a free blacklist lookup site here -see if you are on it first-

One of our clients in Scotland is a call center/telemarketing firm and they have been using the product for years. Ping me for contact details and you can ask them for yourself.

Chris
e
w www.spinnakerpro.com
t +353 61 234505

Hi Mark,

I'm in a similar situation to you, having just decided to go for an external, hosted service. I've just signed up with Constant Contact (http://www.constantcontact.com), which seems to suit our needs (2 or 3 mailings a month, each to a different group of about 1000 subscribers). I'll be sending out our first promotion next week so I'll report back then, but in the meantime, I'd be delighted to hear if anyone else has used the service.

Cheers,

Amanda
Sharedbase
www.sharedbase.co.uk

Hi all

Rather than try and sell you our email marketing tool, I thought it more useful to point you in the direction of a few resources which may help you make your decision.  I've copied as pasted key summaries of the content they contain and links for more information.  Hope they are useful

e-Consultancy's email marketing services RFP Template
From the overview page

Considerations when preparing an RFP for email marketing solutions.  This 22-page request for proposal template contains:  

• Introduction to Email Marketing
• Setting out the RFP process
• The Invitation to Tender Process
• RFP Template
• Appendices

http://www.e-consultancy.com/publications/email-marketing-rfp-request-for-proposal/

Adestra's "How to pick your perfect email marketing partner" whitepaper
From the introduction:

Over the past 3 years, there has been a 15% year on year increase in visitors who are interested in email marketing at the Technology for Marketing show.

With the emergence of increasingly complicated spam filters, marketers need to work with an email service provider (ESP) who is able to get their messages delivered and also support their marketing objectives.

In this white paper, we provide a practical checklist of questions for marketers looking to appoint a new email marketing partner. Whether it is for the first time, or switching from an existing supplier, it is essential that you select the right partner.

Contents include:

The Selection Process
The steps required in appoint a new partner

1. Define your requirements
2. Vendor Selection
3. Build your Short List
4. Shorter List
5. Contract Negotiation
6. Roll-out

Different types of email marketing partner
Understanding the types of company out there
• Bureau / managed services
• In-house software solutions
• Outsourced self-service ASPs

Things to consider when evaluating ESPs
Key questions to ask
1. Pedigree
2. Deliverability
3. Commitment to the future
4. Client services
5. Product features
6. Security
7. Try before you buy
8. Pricing & value

More info and your own free copy at:
www.adestra.co.uk/whitepaper

Email Centre's "Email Marketing Buyers Guide"
From their web site:

What should you look for when choosing an email marketing software solution?  There are dozens of options out there. In-house software or a web-based service? Buy or build your own? Self-service or managed service? 

In an attempt to help customers understand the key options available we have produced a buyers guide.  This covers:

• In-house versus hosted email marketing software
• Key features to look for
• An overview of the Maxemail email marketing software family

Download a copy at:
http://www.emailcenteruk.com/blog/email-marketing-software-buyers-guide.htm

Hope it helps

Paul

Paul Crabtree
Marketing Director
Adestra: your first choice email marketing partner
www.adestra.co.uk

On 15:39:42 25 April 2007 Smorgan wrote:

Hi Mark,

The system choice shouldn't all revolve around volume. It will also depend on what functionality you require and whether or not you have in house tech skills.

As an example, when clients need complex list segmentation and advanced reporting, we use www.emailvision.com. For simpler jobs we recommend www.verticalresponse.com.

Cheers,

Steve

www.squiz.co.uk

On 16:59:38 19 April 2007 MarkKirby wrote:

Hi.

We are not a huge email marketing user, but have a need to distribute around 2,500 emails per month, to an inhouse database.

For a couple of years we have been using a hosted solution called Cooler Email which linked nicely into our ACT CRM!, but we have recently found that the bounce rates and number of emails being caught in spam filters has become excessive.

Looking into other solutions - preferably hosted. Want all the normal tools, tracking and reporting - but really want a recommended system that will minimise the spam issue, adn if possible, will deliver the email including images downloaded into the Outlook previewer. Is this possible?

Although the main use will be for my call centre business, I am launching a golf ball retailing site and so will want to use the email system for that purpose as well.

Appreciate your advice and thoughts.

Best regards

Mark Kirby
GoResponse
www.goresponse.co.uk