Who are recommended email deliverability consultants and how can I contact them?

Summary

Finding a suitable email deliverability consultant involves evaluating their skills in areas like IP warming, sender reputation, and email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). They should offer services such as deliverability audits, infrastructure setup, list hygiene, and performance monitoring. Essential attributes include experience with ESPs, familiarity with bulk sender guidelines from major providers, and proficiency in using deliverability tools. Client testimonials, case studies, and referrals are valuable for verification. Consultants must communicate effectively, possess strong technical knowledge, and provide customized solutions. Checking online reviews and inquiring about pricing is advised. Laura from Word to the Wise recommends considering consultants who can translate complex technical issues to a non-technical audience, understand how to manage feedback loops, and function as strategists, analysts, and problem solvers.

Key findings

  • Authentication Skills: Expertise in SPF, DKIM, and DMARC is crucial for email authentication and deliverability.
  • Core Services: Deliverability audits, infrastructure setup, list hygiene, and performance monitoring are essential consultant services.
  • ESP Knowledge: Consultants should understand ESP policies and bulk sender guidelines from major mailbox providers.
  • Communication: The ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to a non-technical audience is essential.
  • Review and Verification: Checking client testimonials, case studies, and online reviews helps verify consultant expertise.
  • Tool Proficiency: Use of deliverability tools and experience with analyzing data are important skills.
  • Expert Reccomendations: Karen Balle (karen@directdeliverability.com) and Laura (laura@wordtothewise.com CC: meri@wordtothewise.com) are experts that can be contacted.

Key considerations

  • Technical Expertise: Assess consultant's knowledge of email authentication, ESP policies, and technical standards.
  • Service Offerings: Ensure that the consultant offers the necessary deliverability services and support.
  • Industry Experience: Consider consultants with experience working in your specific industry.
  • Pricing Transparency: Inquire about the consultant's pricing structure and payment terms.
  • Customer Feedback: Review online reviews and client testimonials to gauge consultant effectiveness.
  • Communication Style: Evaluate the consultant's ability to explain complex issues clearly and concisely.

What email marketers say
10Marketer opinions

Finding a recommended email deliverability consultant involves several key steps. Direct contact can be made with consultants like Karen Balle (karen@directdeliverability.com) or those found via referrals. Consultants should possess skills in IP warming, sender reputation, authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and inbox placement. Essential services include deliverability audits, infrastructure setup, list hygiene, and performance monitoring. Consultants aid in troubleshooting deliverability, optimizing email configurations, and providing strategic guidance. They should be experienced with ESPs and understand bulk sender guidelines from providers like Gmail. Checking for detailed reports, experience in your industry, case studies, and client references is advised. Consultants also need understanding of ESP policies and complex deliverability challenges. Inquiry into pricing structure and checking reviews on platforms such as TrustRadius and G2.com are important. Laura at Word to the Wise says good consultants wear many hats and are part strategist, data analyst, detective, and relationship manager.

Key opinions

  • Skills and Expertise: Consultants should be skilled in IP warming, sender reputation, authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), and understanding ESP policies.
  • Services Offered: Essential services include deliverability audits, infrastructure setup, list hygiene, and performance monitoring.
  • Troubleshooting: Consultants assist with troubleshooting, optimizing email configurations, and providing strategic guidance.
  • Understanding of Guidelines: Knowledgeable consultants understand bulk sender guidelines from major mailbox providers like Gmail.
  • Reviews and References: Case studies, client references, and online reviews on platforms like TrustRadius are key indicators of consultant quality.
  • Wearing Many Hats: Good consultants wear many hats and are part strategist, data analyst, detective, and relationship manager.

Key considerations

  • Contacting Consultants: Direct contact can be made with consultants via their provided email addresses.
  • Proven Track Record: Look for consultants with a proven track record and positive client testimonials.
  • Industry Experience: Consider consultants who have experience working with companies in your specific industry.
  • ESP Knowledge: Ensure consultants have a deep understanding of ESP policies and the ability to navigate complex deliverability challenges.
  • Pricing Structure: Inquire about the consultant's pricing structure, payment terms, and whether they offer performance-based pricing.
  • Laura from Word to the Wise: They must be able to communicate technical issues to a non-technical audience, and also understand how different mailbox providers handle email.
Marketer view

Email marketer from Email Marketing Forum suggests asking consultants for case studies or references from previous clients. They emphasize the importance of verifying the consultant's expertise and track record before hiring them.

May 2023 - Email Marketing Forum
Marketer view

Email marketer from G2.com lists questions such as asking consultants about their experience with similar clients and their approach to solving specific deliverability problems. They state it's important to find someone who can provide customized solutions based on your unique needs.

March 2024 - G2.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from SendGrid.com suggests looking for consultants who offer services like deliverability audits, infrastructure setup and maintenance, list hygiene strategies, and ongoing monitoring of email performance metrics. They emphasize finding consultants with a proven track record and positive client testimonials.

April 2023 - SendGrid.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from TrustRadius.com recommends you check online review platforms like TrustRadius to see what other users are saying about potential consultants. They explain you should pay attention to reviews that mention the consultant's expertise, communication skills, and overall effectiveness.

April 2022 - TrustRadius.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Quora answers that referrals from other email marketers or industry experts is a good start. She recommends looking for consultants with a deep understanding of ESP policies and the ability to navigate complex deliverability challenges.

June 2024 - Quora
Marketer view

Email marketer from Capterra.com suggests inquiring about the consultant's pricing structure and payment terms, and whether they offer performance-based pricing options. They note that it's important to have a clear understanding of the consultant's fees and how they measure success.

January 2022 - Capterra.com
Marketer view

Email marketer from Reddit user u/EmailGuru recommends looking for consultants who can provide detailed reports on your current email performance and identify areas for improvement. They also suggest checking if the consultant has experience working with companies in your specific industry.

July 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view

Email marketer from Mailgun.com highlights the importance of deliverability consultants, especially those skilled in areas like IP warming, sender reputation, and authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). They also point out that consultant expertise is crucial for inbox placement and preventing emails from landing in spam folders.

July 2023 - Mailgun.com
Marketer view

Marketer from Email Geeks shares their email address karen@directdeliverability.com and asks to be contacted to schedule a chat.

July 2021 - Email Geeks
Marketer view

Email marketer from Validity.com answers that a deliverability consultant assists with troubleshooting deliverability issues, optimizing email configurations, and providing strategic guidance for improving sender reputation. They also note that deliverability consultants often work with email service providers (ESPs) to resolve specific delivery problems.

May 2024 - Validity.com

What the experts say
3Expert opinions

Laura from Word to the Wise is a recommended expert; she can be contacted at laura@wordtothewise.com (CC meri@wordtothewise.com for scheduling). Effective deliverability consultants need strong communication skills to explain technical issues to non-technical audiences. They also need deep understanding of how different mailbox providers handle email, feedback loops, authentication, and reputation metrics. They act as strategists, data analysts, detectives, and relationship managers, identifying deliverability issues and recommending technical changes.

Key opinions

  • Contact Information: Laura from Word to the Wise can be reached at laura@wordtothewise.com (CC meri@wordtothewise.com).
  • Communication Skills: Consultants must effectively communicate technical issues to non-technical audiences.
  • Technical Understanding: Consultants require deep understanding of mailbox providers, feedback loops, authentication, and reputation metrics.
  • Multifaceted Role: Consultants serve as strategists, data analysts, detectives, and relationship managers.

Key considerations

  • Scheduling Meetings: When contacting Laura, CC meri@wordtothewise.com for scheduling purposes.
  • Assessing Communication Skills: Evaluate a consultant's ability to explain complex issues clearly.
  • Technical Expertise: Ensure the consultant possesses a strong technical background and understands relevant metrics.
  • Strategic Thinking: Look for consultants who can provide strategic solutions and identify root causes of deliverability problems.
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise explains that deliverability consultants need to be able to communicate technical issues to a non-technical audience, and also understand how different mailbox providers handle email. They need to understand and explain feedback loops, authentication, and reputation metrics.

October 2024 - Word to the Wise
Expert view

Expert from Email Geeks shares their email address laura@wordtothewise.com, requesting to CC meri@wordtothewise.com to schedule a meeting.

June 2023 - Email Geeks
Expert view

Expert from Word to the Wise shares that a good consultant should be part strategist, part data analyst, part detective, and part relationship manager. They should be able to identify deliverability problems and advise on technical changes.

December 2024 - Word to the Wise

What the documentation says
5Technical articles

Email deliverability consultants should possess a comprehensive understanding of email authentication standards (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) and experience in their implementation and troubleshooting. They must be familiar with bulk sender guidelines from major mailbox providers (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) and have experience with feedback loops and complaint management. Consultants should also be proficient with email deliverability tools like seed lists, blocklist monitoring, and inbox placement testing, capable of analyzing data and providing insights. A strong understanding of RFC specifications, email standards, and SMTP protocols is crucial for ensuring compliance and optimal email server configuration, including bounce handling and error code interpretation.

Key findings

  • Authentication Expertise: Consultants need a strong understanding of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC and practical experience troubleshooting these technologies.
  • Bulk Sender Guidelines: Familiarity with the latest bulk sender guidelines from Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook is essential.
  • Deliverability Tools: Proficiency with seed lists, blocklist monitoring, and inbox placement testing is crucial for data analysis and actionable insights.
  • Standards Compliance: A strong understanding of RFC specifications and email standards ensures compliance with industry best practices.
  • SMTP Knowledge: Deep familiarity with SMTP protocols, bounce handling, and error code interpretation is necessary for optimal email server configuration.

Key considerations

  • Verification: Verify that potential consultants possess a strong understanding of authentication standards and practical experience implementing them.
  • Guidelines Awareness: Ensure consultants are up-to-date with the latest bulk sender guidelines from major mailbox providers.
  • Tool Familiarity: Ask consultants about their experience with email deliverability tools and their ability to analyze the resulting data.
  • Standards Adherence: Confirm that consultants have a strong grasp of relevant RFC specifications and email standards.
  • Technical Proficiency: Assess consultants' knowledge of SMTP standards, bounce handling, and error code interpretation.
Technical article

Documentation from SparkPost.com recommends verifying that any potential consultant has a strong understanding of email authentication standards such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, alongside experience in implementing and troubleshooting these technologies.

November 2023 - SparkPost.com
Technical article

Documentation from Microsoft.com says you should ask potential consultants about their familiarity with email deliverability tools and technologies, such as seed lists, blocklist monitoring services, and inbox placement testing platforms. They say experience with analyzing deliverability data and providing actionable insights is critical.

April 2022 - Microsoft.com
Technical article

Documentation from IETF.org answers that consultants should be very familiar with SMTP standards and how email servers communicate. They should understand how bounces work, how to interpret error codes, and how to configure email servers for optimal delivery.

July 2024 - IETF.org
Technical article

Documentation from RFC-Editor.org states that potential consultants should demonstrate a strong understanding of relevant RFC specifications and email standards to ensure compliance with industry best practices.

February 2023 - RFC-Editor.org
Technical article

Documentation from Google.com highlights the importance of consultants being familiar with the latest bulk sender guidelines and best practices from major mailbox providers like Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook. They also note that experience with feedback loops and complaint management is crucial.

December 2023 - Google.com