Communicating with Email (Part 2 - Distributive emailing)

Email marketing companies (MailChimp, Constant Contact, iContact, etc) have several things in common. They have a good relationship with major ISP’s (Internet Service Providers such as Comcast, TWC, Juno, etc.). Otherwise your emails would not get delivered. They have support for the customer. They abide by common anti-spam policies in accordance with CAN-SPAM, the official anti-spam policy that requires a postal address, an unsubscribe option, information on how the recipient joined the list, and prohibits false or misleading headers and subject lines.

PROS

• Personalization - Even though you can create one campaign/mailing in a very short time, each one can address the individual: ”Dear Helen.”

• Tracking Date - Distributive email offers you the tools to check and analyze data in email campaigns. How many were opened?  When did they open it? Did any bounce? Why did it bounce? Links opened by users give the group an understanding of the audience and can help with planning future projects and outreach efforts.

• Easy Customization - your email can look very professional using provided templates and your own images. It can convey your recognized “brand”.

• Fast Sending/ Scheduling - Emails can be scheduled or sent in the matter of minutes

• Importing Contacts - A very large list of contacts can be imported in a few minutes.

• Integration with Social Media - Sharing with Facebook, Twitter, etc. is easy.

• Surveys - Surveys are available with many providers.

• Sign up new recipients - A signup form can be posted on your website/Facebook.

CONS

• Delivery Problems - You can experience issues on delivering email campaigns. The problem occurs when recipients to do not receive the email message because it is filtered and classified as spam. That can happen on the provider level or on individual computers.

• Recipient’s view - In other situations, the person does not open the email because the headline is not enticing, lacks appeal, or they don’t recognize the sender.

As either a provider or recipient, what experience have you had with distributive email services?

Communicating with Email (Part 1- Direct emailing)

Email is by far the most popular way to communicate. Group emails are a wonderful way to share information. Basically, there are two methods to send group emails. An email can be sent directly from one member to a group. The second way is to use a distribution service such as MailChimp.

We will discuss the pros and cons of each method. This week we will begin with direct emails. Direct emailing is the easier of the two, but it does have shortcomings.

PROS

• Direct email  is easy to set up. You need verified email addresses that you have arranged in groups.
• It is time efficient. Choose the group, compose the message and send. Messages can be copied and pasted to send to another group.

CONS

• Internet providers differ widely on what they allow. Some allow only 50 or less email addresses on any given message. You may have to break one large group into smaller ones.
• The size and format of attachments can also be an issue with emails.  A service provider will not let you attach files when the memory requirements are too large.
• Internet providers frequently block messages sent to a group. As a sender, you would not know if your message reached everyone in your group. Ask for a reply to insure your message was received.
• Security on individual computers may see your message as spam and send it to the spam/junk folder. Members don't think to check their spam/junk folders for legitimate emails.
• Some email providers (e.g., Time Warner) will quickly look at your group emails before sending. If one is problematic, the message isn't sent to anyone in the group. You must spend time to figure out which one is not going through.

GENERAL COMMENTS

If you share information with a large group use Bcc., since people would prefer that their email address be kept private. However, if you want a discussion (as in a small committee), you should use the “To” option; this will allow committee members to respond to all participants

Even with the shortcomings noted above, direct emailing to large groups will continue to be a popular way to communicate within the Society.

Is direct emailing used in your chapter? What pros and cons have you found?

The International Membership Committee welcomes you to 2016-2018!

We are excited to share our objectives for the coming biennium. They reflect the goals of the International Strategic Plan and consideration of our vision as Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide.

Develop a Communication Strategy

We are actively pursuing both old and new avenues of communications to share the value of DKG and to support members. We will be highlighting DKG, sharing best practices, and offering help. Watch for announcements coming soon!

Cultivate a Plan for Content Development

2016-2018 International Membership Committee

We will collaborate with other committees to offer webinars and videos about the society and to further professional development.

Implement a Member Engagement Plan

We continue to promote the membership plan, and will be developing resources to mentor new and veteran members.

Create Meaningful Connections

We invite you to actively participate with us in DKG Communities. We hope to strengthen leadership networks to foster internal support. We embrace diversity to cultivate an inclusive organization. 

We look forward to hearing your ideas and feedback! 

Follow Us!

Some members Tweet. Some post to Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. Some may watch videos on YouTube. When all is said and done, most members use at least one platform of social media.

Why should you use social media?

You can connect with friends across the world.
Social media is truly a speedy communication: you make a point and move on.
Social media fosters friendships.
You can find common ground on an important topic.
Important information is at your fingertips.
Social media is two-way communication.
It is a meeting point.
News is delivered.
Ideas are shared.
Keeps DKG members informed and builds pride in membership.
Encourages lifelong learning.

DKG has a presence on social media. Connect with them using your favorite social media platform.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dkgorg
Twitter: @DKG_SI
Instagram: @DKGSI
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/delta-kappa-gamma-society-international
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/DKGSI/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/DKGAustin

What is your favorite social media platform?  Why?

Website? Why? WHY NOT!

On every level of Delta Kappa Gamma, the importance of a website in communications is second only to using email. A website is the backbone for the business end of the Society.

Although many Society websites contain social aspects like photographs of events, the main focus is on communication of business. Meetings and special events are announced, sign ups posted, important downloads are available, and even the latest news are all available.

A website can be a marketing tool to build internal pride and externally to represent the active participation a chapter has to impact the local community. It can also serve as a recruitment tool.

Websites are free (Weebly) and easy to build. Six “How-To” videos are available and will guide you through every step!

DKG has made the biennium review super easy … a simple checklist to become compliant. Yet another great reason to build a website.

Although the current Society websites are in the process of submitting the compliance forms, you can get a new or rebuilt site evaluated any time of the year.

Wouldn’t your members like a website? Are you willing but anxious? Do you need a helping hand? Hey, we are here to help.  JUST ASK!

Who should read our blog?

““Effective communication is an important life skill that enables us to better understand and connect with the people around us. It allows us to build respect and trust, resolve differences and foster environments where problem solving, caring, affection and creative ideas can thrive. Lack of effective communication inadvertently leads to conflict and frustration…” Reference.com

Blog readers often come to affiliate themselves with and identify as a member of a community related to a certain blog or blog topic. Blog readers arrive not only for the content on the blog but also for the opportunity to be a member of the space the blog encapsulates.

The challenge:  Open communications to foster relations.

This blog is directed to any member of Delta Kappa Gamma who identifies with these challenges. This blog will be a resource to encourage communications to build relationships.

How do you foster communication and build relationships in your own chapter or professional life? Please share with us. Click Comments below.