Email News

Today, email has become the most commonly used and least expensive form of communications beside pure voice. More than 75% of US Adults now go online (April 2006, Harris Poll) and 90% of online users use email daily (Double-Click, December 2005). While the growth of unwanted email (and SPAM) has become a chronic problem (estimated at over 70% of email received) with the Internet, that does not mean we should assume that email communications is not valuable or effective. The secret to good email communications is to serve the subscriber and try to deliver content that will be timely and of some interest to them. This is best accomplished by using a system that makes personalized emails easy to send and manage.

Personalizing Email - Using Information Categories

Personalizing an email to a wide audience can be a difficult task unless the news is categorized for relevant topics. For example, a news item about registering for the recreation programs can be classified as a "Recreation" related article. By providing preference options the subscriber can choose to receive (or not) articles that relate to that topic.

Timing and Frequency of Scheduled Email - Email Alert

When does email become an annoyance versus being helpful? Can you depend on yourself, or someone else, to stay on top of important timely messages? The frequency of email is an important aspect of a communications strategy. A successful email strategy is usually based on a sticking to a regular schedule of email "sends" based upon the volume of news to report. For example, if a weekly email is sent, you can plan writing and collecting news around that schedule and the subscriber anticipates receiving the email so there is less of a chance that the email will be passed over or mistaken for SPAM.

Dealing with the Unpredictable - Email Bulletin

Suppose your responsibility is to notify a population based on unpredictable situations. School weather closings, traffic tie-ups, health-related emergencies, unscheduled meetings, are just a few situations that call for a different communications strategy. Here, an ad hoc email requires a strong brief message. Different bulletin emails may be required for different groups such as one to the public (advisory) and one to committee members or volunteers (call to action).

Making it Easy - By Design

Its a visual world we live in. When constantly presented with information, it helps to make the organization and appearance of news as attractive as possible to help insure attention. However, design should not trump the message. A simple graphic design that coordinates with your website is an ideal solution.

Your Message, Your Service - ConnectedCitizen Email

Now, ConnectedCommunications provides the solution to creating the Email communications program you need. While "ConnectedTown Weekly" provides a free weekly email to a broad audience, ConnectedCitizen allows a town to create a unique design, determine news content, and include a custom message every time an email is sent. Here are examples of how a ConnectedCitizen email message might appear:.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS EMAIL NEWS MAXIMIZES YOUR COMMUNICATIONS:

• links to recent article headlines automatically within the email
• email personalization - subscribers choose what type of news they want to appear
• easy online opt-in subscription form
• easy to change email preferences
• easy two-click opt-out procedure
• recent articles appear automatically in date order
• custom email graphic design template (optional)
• custom message for each email (optional)
• bulletin feature allows ad hoc email be sent instantly to groups (optional)
• include various data e.g., news, events, jobs, (optional)

FREE FOR ALL TOWNS:

• Email includes link to your news article automatically
• Broad exposure to your news and upcoming events through ConnectedTown Weekly
• Easy subscription form for CT visitors

• Customized email designed to coordinate with your website
• Customized opt-in, opt-out web pages to fit your website
• Ability to define subscriber profile data to store
• Secure entry and access to subscribers
• Control of email alert scheduled email AND email bulletin ad hoc email
• Subscriber reporting
• Full Support