Freqently Asked Questions
More questions?
One of our Account Managers would be happy to review our services with you or address questions regarding your specific needs.
Questions
- What is a suppression list?
- What is CAN-SPAM?
- Why should I worry about suppression list abuse?
- Who would want to steal suppression lists?
- What do you mean by seamless integration?
- Why not do it “In-House”?
- How long does it take to get my account setup?
- Does Optizmo charge ancillary fees for cleansing / scrubbing features?
- Can Mailers have their own Optizmo account?
- What is the difference between services like Lashback and Optizmo?
- Can I use Optizmo with Mailers like Constant Contact?
- I am new to email marketing, can Optizmo help me build my mailing list?
Answers
What is a suppression list?
A Suppression File is a list of suppressed email addresses used by email senders to comply with the CAN-SPAM Act. CAN-SPAM requires that senders of commercial emails provide a functioning opt-out mechanism by which email recipients can unsubscribe their email address from future email messages. The "Opt-Out" email addresses are placed into a "suppression list" which is used to "suppress" (stop) future email messages to those email addresses.
What is CAN-SPAM?
The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 establishes standards for the sending of commercial email and requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce its provisions. The acronym CAN-SPAM derives from the bill's full name: Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography And Marketing Act of 2003.
It requires that your email give recipients an opt-out method.Why should I worry about suppression list abuse?
A suppression file (list) contains valid email addresses. Suppression file abuse occurs when a third party takes a suppression file and emails messages to the email addresses in the list. The original sender of the email messages who provided the opt-out mechanism may be liable for suppression file abuse.
Top reasons to protect your suppression files are to:
• Maintain brand integrity (bad press and lack of consumer trust)
• Avoid legal liability ($11k fine per email)
• Protect your valued customers (best practices and customer trust)Who would want to steal suppression lists?
There are many unsavory "Emailers" out there that would love to get their hands on your suppression files, primarily because those files are validated addresses and guaranteed deliverability (to a real person).
What better guarantee of reaching an email recipient than one who has specifically requested NOT to receive email to a specific address? Not to mention the tangible "black market" value on a suppressed email addresswhich ranges from $25 - $35 per address. Multiply that dollar figure by the enormous amounts of commercial emails sent daily... Let's just say that's A LOT of people (internally and externally) that would want to steal suppression files.
What do you mean by seamless integration?
Most Advertisers (our clients) use third party Mailers (ESP's/Affiliate Networks) to send out commercial emails on their behalf. Optizmo provides an API (Application Programming Interface) to the third party Mailer that integrates within the system for seamless updates to the suppression files on your Optizmo Account.
Not sure how this works, contact an Account Manager today.
Why not do it “In-House”?
COST & SECURITY... Most in-house solutions are glorified FTP servers that house suppression files and require manual updates to the lists. They are very insecure, not to mention, labor intensive in regard to maintenance and updates. By the time you add up the infrastructure costs, personnel costs, time constraints, and liability risks... you will find that Optizmo is a viable alternative to in-house solutions and a "no brainer".
Simply put, we save you time, money, and resources.
How long does it take to get my account setup?
This depends on the complexity of the install, but in most cases, we can have your Optizmo Account set up and ready to go in 48 hours.
Does Optizmo charge ancillary fees for cleansing / scrubbing features?
NO! We believe that including cleansing / scrubbing as an automated feature within the system makes for a better customer experience and a more simplified invoice.
Can Mailers have their own Optizmo account?
YES! Mailers often use our system as a value added service to their existing product / service offerings. In most cases, it is important for Mailers to provide the opt-out mechanism on behalf of their Advertiser clients.
What is the difference between services like Lashback and Optizmo?
Lashback is a great service that provides an alert when something has gone wrong, such as suppression file abuse.
Optizmo is more like a bank vault... that keeps the abuse from happening in the first place.
However, using both services together would be an optimum solution!
Can I use Optizmo with Mailers like Constant Contact?
YES! In fact, the benefit of using Optizmo in conjuncture with your Constant Contact service is that you have the added capability to manage Multiple Mailers. Constant Contact allows you to create collateral, manage outbound email campaigns, and even manage compliance and unsubscribes in-house, however, both services lack the monitoring, tracking, and security needed when you have Multiple Mailers sending out campaigns on your behalf.
I am new to email marketing, can Optizmo help me build my mailing list?
NO! Optizmo DOES NOT and WILL NOT send email, share lists, or help build a mailing list.
What we will do is help you get started by pointing you in the right direction and providing the contacts / resources needed for you to build and implement email marketing campaigns.
3 Steps:
- Identify the right lead sources
- Develop your campaign approach
- Engage Optizmo for email compliance and suppression list management