Issue #59 - Mail Mondays
Welcome to Issue #59 of Mail Mondays!
Last week in the second part of our mini-series looking at free tools from SparkLoop to help improve your email marketing, we looked at "Proof".
This week is the end of our mini-series as we look briefly at Magic Links, and I share some unexpected thoughts on Reactions (which we covered in the first part of our mini-series).
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Magic Link
Magic Link is a third free tool from SparkLoop.
SparkLoop claims "Magic Link" can "Boost your signups by 20-50% with a one-click subscribe link".
(The landing page does have a few errors, see if you can spot them.)
It's speedy and easy to set up. I made this quick Scribe showing the "Five Steps" involved.
(There are only four steps in my Scribe, but I detail the fifth in the screenshot below)
Like SparkLoop's other free tools, there is documentation.
If you're a SparkLoop customer, you can use their Partners feature, which has a much more advanced version of Magic built in.
Step Five
Ironically, (coincidentally?) the fifth and final step has five simple steps to put your Magic Link into use.
- Step 1 - Asks your to choose your ESP again (the one you integrated initially is listed first) **
- Step 2 - Optional redirect to a custom thank you page.
- Step 3 - An opportunity to change your list/audience for your magic link.
- Step 4 - Your Magic Link to use (redacted for privacy).
- Step 5 - Is more information about what happens with auto-tagging and exports.
** I'm not sure why SparkLoop includes this step here as it's potentially confusing for a user after initial setup.
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The dashboard view (Step 5) of how your Magic Link after connecting to your ESP.
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Magic Link Likes and Dislikes
Even though I set up an account, and overall I like Magic Link, I don't currently use Magic Links (more on that later).
Likes
- It's free.
- It's relatively easy to set up.
- Auto-tagging in your audience/list allows for segmentation of Magic Link signups.
- Ability to export Magic Link subscriber data from Magic Link. **
** The export data contains the date the signup was created and the email address used.
Dislikes
- The landing page for Magic Links feels unfinished (errors) and reduces confidence before signing up.
- "How to use your Magic Link" could be confusing for some.
- Documentation is a little limited.
Why I'm Not Using It
I mentioned above that I am not currently using Magic Link.
My concern is around GDPR.
Whilst Magic Link in the FAQ section at the bottom of their Landing Page state:
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" Firstly, our team aren't lawyers, and this isn't legal advice.
That said, we work closely with legal experts on questions of GDPR and email privacy law as part of our day-to-day business powering the largest newsletter referral programs in the world.
Our verdict: As long as the Magic Link clearly states what the subscriber is opting into, it'll be fine in most jurisdictions.
After all, a Magic Link is — in essence — just a double-opt-in signup without the first (less important) step. "
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I am not entirely convinced, and I need to look into this more.
Double opt-in is great for helping to block spam signups and for GDPR.
I explore the benefits of Double opt-in (especially in light of iOS 15) in Issue #16 of Mail Mondays.
Do you use Magic Link? Let me know your thoughts by replying to this email.
Mental Health & Feedback
I mentioned last week I didn't hide my email feedback from non-subscribers.
This meant people reading my newsletters on social media could also leave feedback.
Most of my email feedback came from these non-subscribers (I share some stats on Twitter), and I wasn't sure if I would hide the Feedback Emojis from non-subscribers.
Initially, when I shared these stats, they were worse than now.
Cycle of Emotions
When I first saw the feedback, I was hurt.
I thought it was a good newsletter. But the initial feedback disagreed.
Frustration and a bit of anger then set in, so I created the Twitter thread to share my veiled feelings.
I calmed down but then felt down for the rest of the day.
A Path Forward
After reflection, I decided to keep my Emoji Feedback available for non-subscribers.
Those reading my emails on social have the same right to leave feedback as my subscribers.
Feedback is subjective but important.
It allows me to reflect, and if I thought a newsletter was good but the majority of those leaving feedback did not, then I need to learn from this.
This is exactly what feedback is all about.
It's difficult for most people to take negative criticism but how we reflect on that criticism and respond to it is where true strength and humility can lie.
Thank you for keeping me grounded, giving me honest feedback and helping me a better email marketer.
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Email Marketing News
This week's excellent Email News & Tips:
- My First Crossroads - This latest chapter in my newsletter charting my freelance journey from the beginning to now is a very personal one. (Me)
- Apple Hide My Email - A Burner Phone for Email: How Does Apple Hide My Email Affect Email Marketers (shout out to All Things Email for the original share). (Webbula)
- Klaviyo & WooCommerce - This podcast discusses the Klaviyo for WooCommerce integration and Klaviyo's dedication to improving it. (Klaviyo)
- Abandoned Cart - A best practices guide (shout out to Action Rocket for the original share). (Constant Contact)
- US Campaign Emails - Google gets the green light to exempt US campaign emails from spam detection. (Washington Post)
- Not A Newsletter - The August edition of my favourite newsletter is here! (Dan Oshinsky)
- CTA Buttons - Everything you needed to know and then some (shout out to Emily Ryan for the original share). (Really Good Emails)
- Success & Fail - This year's BFCM tactics consumers loved (and loathed). (Klaviyo)
- 2022 Holiday Marketing Guide - Learn how to deliver holiday magic to your subscribers’ inbox—all season long. (Litmus)
If you have a question about this email, Mailchimp, or email marketing, you can just hit that reply button in your email app of choice, and I will answer you as soon as possible.
Until next time,
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