How to keep your sales emails out of the spam filter

Whether you’re sending or receiving messages, “spam” is an ugly word. For business email senders in particular, seeing your painfully crafted messages getting stuck in the spam filter is no fun. No worries, though - we’ve compiled a few tips below so that your well-intentioned messages won’t get lost in the shuffle.

First, though: If you're sending outgoing business emails, you should take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the CAN-SPAM Act and what it entails.

All set? Good.

1) Avoid using transactional words

Spam filters are vigilant about catching words related to money. If you absolutely need to mention details about your product’s pricing in an email, include a link to your site or put details in an image.

Some examples of words to avoid:
Free, instant, win, cash, bonus, membership, offer, call now, rates, $$$, success, discount

2) Don’t get *too* excited

The words you use matter, and so does the context you use them in. Spam filters pay close attention to punctuation and grammar. 

Examples to avoid:

• Gimmicky phrases, such as "Click here" or "Once in a lifetime opportunity"
• Too many exclamation points!!!!!!!!
• ALL CAPS
• Typpos all ovear the placve

3) Don’t overformat

Those cases of spam that actually make it into your inbox are typically plain text emails. Most mail programs recognize elaborate, overformatted messages as characteristic of spam. After all, you wouldn’t send your friend a formal email with tables and tons of different font colors - would you?

Formatting no-nos:

• Broken code in your emails
• HTML emails with nothing but one large image
• Unnecessary blank lines of text

3) Write a good subject line

If your subject line looks like spam, it will either automatically get caught, or your readers will classify your message as spam. Make sure to keep all the tips and tricks above in mind and, most importantly of all, keep your subject lines SHORT and to the point.

4) Test your content

What may be flagged as spam for some may go straight to the inbox for others. Whether you’re marked as spam is determined by numerous factors such as your recipient’s mail client, anti-spam add-ons such as Postini, and the behavior of the recipient. If they have a habit of marking messages as spam, they'll set the threshold extremely high.

Sending a message through Tout will tell you when and if your emails were opened so that you can use our service as a gauge for deliverability. If you have any tips or tricks that have helped in getting your own messages delivered - we want to hear! Let us know in the comments.

Stay out of the Spam Filter: 4 Little-Known Benefits to a Complete Email Signature

You already have some basic information in your email signature, but have you ever stopped to think about what you put in and why? You don't want to add too much to an email signature, at the risk of being repetitive, but it's important to have enough of the right information. Here's the key information you should include in your email signature:

• Name
• Title & Company
• Contact information (email address, phone number, social networks)
• Website
• Mailing Address

So who cares? Well, there are some surprising benefits to a completed email signature.

Having a proper email signature is one of the best ways to ensure that your email gets delivered. Most spammers don't have one, so when you're sending mail to someone who hasn't already saved you as a contact, a completed email signature will help prevent your message from being confused as spam.

Don't Break the Law

If you're sending mail for your business, especially if you're using an automated mailing system, you have to have your physical address in your signature. The CAN-SPAM act defines this as "any electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service," which includes a lot of outreach emails. To avoid any confusion, it's always best to include your business' physical address. Plus, it's just nice to know where people are located when you're sending and receiving email - a personal touch adds something extra.

Phone Calls Made Easy

Let's face it: most people read email on their phone. Have you ever been late to a meeting, or wanted to call someone while you're on the go? Having your phone number in your email signature makes communicating so much easier, so why not throw your contacts a bone and make your info easily accessible?

Promote Your Business

You'd be shocked how often people click on the links in your email signature. It's a great way to promote your business, and you can even tweak your email signature to show links to certain landing pages that you're looking If you want to see it happen, try tracking clicks on your emails. Wondering if you're getting these benefits? Check to see if your email signature is complete, and make sure to check on your phone as well.