Is it safe to send email newsletters from Outlook mail merge and what are the best practices for emailing leads acquired from college fairs?

Email marketer from Email on Acid explains that collecting email addresses at college fairs requires a clear and concise opt-in process. They recommend providing a physical or digital form that clearly states the purpose of collecting the email and obtaining explicit consent to send marketing materials.

Email marketer from Reddit recommends segmenting leads collected from college fairs based on their expressed interests. They suggest sending targeted emails that are relevant to the student's field of study to increase engagement and avoid unsubscribes.

Email marketer from Mailchimp explains that acquiring leads at college fairs requires clear consent and transparency. They suggest using double opt-in methods and clearly stating how the collected email addresses will be used. They also warn against adding leads directly to a mailing list without proper consent.

Marketer from Email Geeks shares experience from an abuse desk at an ESP, noting complaints about colleges contacting students who shared SAT scores, with one parent receiving over 100 emails. This highlights the potential for negative user experience when sharing contact information widely.

Email marketer from Litmus shares the importance of email authentication protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for improving email deliverability and preventing spoofing. They state that implementing these protocols helps email providers verify the sender's identity and reduces the chances of emails being marked as spam.

Email marketer from Reddit shares that using Outlook mail merge for newsletters is generally not recommended. They mention limitations in tracking, deliverability, and the risk of being flagged as spam. They advise using a dedicated email service provider for better results.

Marketer from Email Geeks states event emails shouldn’t be put in any ESP as it would be spam and against TOS.

Email marketer from Campaign Monitor explains that explicit consent is crucial for email marketing. They detail the importance of obtaining clear and affirmative consent from individuals before adding them to your email list, especially when collecting leads at events like college fairs.

Email marketer from Email Geeks emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency when obtaining consent for email communication. He suggests that asking to share information with other schools without clearly stating all potential uses of email is disingenuous.

Email marketer from HubSpot explicitly advises against purchasing email lists or using lists acquired without explicit consent. They explain that sending emails to such lists can harm sender reputation, increase spam complaints, and violate anti-spam laws.

Email marketer from Sendinblue states that if acquiring leads from the EU, it's important to comply with GDPR guidelines, ensuring that individuals have given explicit consent to receive email communications. They advise using double opt-in and providing clear information about data usage and privacy policies.

Email marketer from Email Geeks explains that using partner/shared/co-reg lists is problematic. If people agreed to receive emails from unnamed parties, they may not recognize the sender, leading to the email being perceived as spam. This also violates the rules of most ESPs.

Email marketer from Microsoft Support explains that while Outlook can be used for mail merge, it's not designed for mass emailing. Sending large volumes can lead to performance issues and potential blocking by email providers. They recommend dedicated email marketing services for newsletters.

Email marketer from OptinMonster explains the importance of creating clear and concise signup forms for college fairs that clearly state the purpose of collecting the email address and the benefits of subscribing. They recommend using compelling visuals and offering incentives to encourage sign-ups.

Expert from Spam Resource explains that proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) is crucial for deliverability. They also state that engaging in responsible list management practices, such as obtaining explicit consent and honoring unsubscribe requests, is essential for maintaining a positive sender reputation.

Expert from Email Geeks advises against sending newsletters directly from Outlook due to potential reputation issues and MS restrictions. He suggests using dedicated email marketing platforms like Beehiiv, Buttondown, AWeber, or Mailchimp instead, as Outlook is not the appropriate tool for this purpose.

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that Harvesting email addresses is never OK! It's illegal, it makes you a spammer, and it can result in the email service providers (ESPs) and internet service providers (ISPs) blocking the email address.

Expert from Word to the Wise (Laura Atkins) emphasizes the importance of clear permission and consent practices when collecting email addresses. They share that it is critical to be upfront with subscribers about what they’re signing up for. Explicitly tell people what they will receive and how often. Making sure you are clear is key to setting up the proper expectations for subscribers.

Documentation from RFC Editor details guidelines for sending bulk emails, emphasizing the importance of authentication, proper unsubscribe mechanisms, and respecting recipient preferences. It highlights that sending unsolicited bulk email can lead to blacklisting and damage sender reputation.

Documentation from SparkPost details key factors influencing email deliverability, including sender reputation, authentication, list hygiene, and engagement metrics. They also highlight the importance of monitoring bounce rates and spam complaints to maintain a healthy sending reputation.

Documentation from Google outlines best practices for bulk email senders, emphasizing authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), low spam rates, and easy unsubscribe options. They explain that failing to comply with these guidelines can result in emails being filtered to the spam folder or blocked entirely.