You can carefully follow CAN-SPAM rules using only legitimate opt-in methods only to find your emails not making it past the spam filters. Many sophisticated Internet providers use Anti-Spam protection that scores your email based on a point system. The more things you do wrong, the more likely that your email may never actually be received.

These are 10 common mistakes people make that cause email to appear as Spam.

1. Trigger words: Spam filters scan for certain trigger phrases in detecting spam. These include phrases like free, amazing, congratulations, great offer or order now. 20 common spam words
2. Subject line: Capitalization can be risky, especially entire words or acronyms. Capitalize a trigger word like FREE and you are sure to be ejected.
3. Attachments: Don’t send attachments. Many attachments carry viruses and are more carefully scrutinized.
4. Images: Most of your message must be text. Spam filters eject emails when the image / text ratio is too high.
5. Punctuation: Using punctuation to create exaggeration will also be picked up as spam. Be careful of too many exclamation points!!!!!!!
6. Color: Avoid playing with colored text to get your message across. If you really want to catch a spam filter’s attention change both the text color and the background color.
7. Bcc distribution: Keep bcc to less than 10 names. Long bcc lists are frequently used by spammers.
8. SMTP: Use an SMTP server to launch your emails instead of using unauthenticated email.
9. Text format: Avoid using large fonts, different fonts, italics or text with large gaps in the words.
10. HTML: If you send out emails as formatted HTML, also send out as a plain text alternative version of your message. HTML versions are filtered out at a higher rate than plain text versions.

If you sell your products on the Internet, then having a large email list is a very important way to increase sales. Building your own opt-in list is often done by offering a regular newsletter filled with great tips and ideas that your ideal prospect would find interesting.

You can use your ebook as a freebie enticement for people to opt-in to your email list.

Writing your own ebook is a powerful way to position yourself as the authority in your market. Find a topic much like your newsletter that your ideal prospect would find interesting and compelling to read. Teach a technique or skill that is being sought. People are hungry for information that will teach them how to get results.

Many are intimidated by the thought a large writing project. An ebook does not have to be long; it can be as little as 20 pages if what you teach is compelling. Worry about the content more than the length. The pages are usually small and fast to read. Save your ebook as a PDF so that subscribers can download it once they subscribe.

There are two ways to use your ebook to build your email list. Start by assigning a price to your ebook of let’s say $39.95. “Free” ebooks are not perceived as valuable as ones that have an assigned price.

1. Sign-up Bonus: Place your news letter sign-up prominently on your website with a special “bonus offer” where people signing up will receive a free copy of your ebook that has a sales price of $39.95.
2. Joint Venture: Find others that have their own email lists, possibly a newsletter you already subscribe to. Allow your joint venture partners to give their readers a special offer of your ebook at 50% off the retail price. This would be $19.95. Allow your joint venture partners to keep 100% of the proceeds or perhaps keep $1 to cover your credit card fees. They win by getting revenue and you win by building your email list at no cost.

Online consumers today simply don’t trust email marketers. Effective email marketing means building trust with the people on your list. Violate that trust with spam or breach common email etiquette and members on your email list will evaporate.

You will want your message received with a positive impression. This will mean the difference between having your email read or just deleted without a second thought. Building trust is an ongoing process that you have to work on with every communication and every interaction with your prospective customer.

1. Targeting: Your original offer should appeal to your ideal target audience. This way your emails will be about topics your prospect will be most interested in and will be eager to read.
2. Sign-up bonus: When someone signs up for your mailing list, offer a free report, software or some online tool as a reward.
3. Double Opt -in/ Easy Opt-out: All mailing list sign-ups should send an email that has the requestor confirm they want to be on your list (double opt-in). Every email you send should also include a simple opt-out link.
4. Keep commitments: Always follow through and send information that was asked for. Set up auto responders to automatically send reports or commentaries that are requested.
5. Don’t spam: Once someone signs up to your list, don’t inundate them with promotional offers. When someone signs up, let them know what to expect such as a monthly or weekly newsletters.
6. Provide value: The topics of your emails need to be tangible and helpful. Provide tips, news, how-to advice, commentaries and cost saving ideas.
7. Allow Interaction: Get opinions and input from your mailing list using survey tools. You can get ideas for topics, specials and even offers that your readers want to see.
8. Keep it simple: Avoid complex emails that include Flash, sound, videos etc. Use HTML wisely and keep the focus on your message.

Most of us know by now the importance of an auto responder campaign and the great affects it can have on your company’s conversion rate. An automated email sent out every so often providing interested leads with information about your company is HUGE in today’s sales world.

But how do you know that your emails are actually capturing the attention of these leads causing them to want to know more? There are some things you need to remember when generating your emails for your auto responder campaign to insure the effectiveness.

1.    Subject Line – This is the first thing that your readers will see. It needs to grab the attention of the reader because this is where they decide whether or not to open your email. One way of doing this is making the subject line personalized by adding the reader’s name.

2.    Email Body – The body of your emails should address a problem that the reader is facing and then a solution to fix it. Don’t focus on all the features of your company, but spotlight the benefits of your product or service and how it can solve their problem.

3.    Don’t Write a Novel – Trying to sell everything your company offers from your auto responder email is not a great idea. Instead, highlight specific benefits that tease the reader by giving further information in each email. This will cause them to want to go to your website to find out more.

4.   Links – Make sure to create links throughout your emails that direct the reader back to your company’s website. Your website is your selling page, so make sure that your links are not broken before the emails are sent out.

5.    Call to Action – People need to be told what to do. Make sure that your call to action stands out and is clear to the reader.

6.    Contact Information – Remember to include all the necessary contact information in every email. You want to make sure that the reader has the ability to contact you when they are ready to buy.

7.    Frequency – Studies show that it typically takes up to seven touches before a lead converts. Therefore, it’s a good idea to create at least seven emails for your auto responder campaign. Use decreasing frequency by sending out the first three emails within the first week and then space the remaining emails a week apart. This way you don’t “over email” your lead causing them to be annoyed.

If done correctly, an auto responder campaign can act as an extra salesperson for your company, converting many leads. And the best part is…you don’t have to pay this salesperson commission.