• Survey shows email to play big role in 2007 marketing strategies
• CUNA showcases Fort Belvoir FCU’s success with one-to-one marketing
• Businesses  can help battle ID fraud
• First ounce of postage is going up.. again

Survey shows email to play big role in 2007 marketing strategies

It appears that using email to communicate with customers is taking hold in the marketing departments of many companies today.

Results of a recent survey conducted by the performance-based marketing company Datran Media indicate that the use of email as a marketing channel is growing in importance. According to the company’s press release posted on PRWeb.com, marketing professionals were surveyed from 50 different companies nationwide, including InfoUSA, KPMG International and Qinteractive. 

The survey found that 72 percent of marketers plan to increase their use of email marketing in 2007, compared with 2006, with many specifically increasing spending on email acquisition (71 percent) and retention campaigns (63 percent) this year.

When asked to choose the most important advertising medium to be used in 2007, survey participants ranked email marketing far above other adverting channels, such as search marketing, display ads, mobile marketing, print advertising and direct mail. More than half (55 percent) of respondents said they currently use or plan to use an outside email marketing firm to help meet their advertising objectives in 2007. And when it comes to the most important reason to use email marketing, 55 percent reported it was to drive incremental revenue, followed by 19 percent saying to reinforce brand position and 11 percent saying to improve customer loyalty.

Did you know that DigitalMailer is safe-listed on 4.3 million servers worldwide and is a certified email sender! We are committed to working with our clients to make sure their email messages reach their intended recipients. For our FREE report on how to improve your opt-in email marketing titled "Electronic Messaging Tips for Email Success" visit our site at http://www.digitalmailer.com/offerings.html and click on the report icon or send an email to info@digitalmailer.com.

CUNA showcases Fort Belvoir FCU’s success with one-to-one marketing

One-to one marketing continues to be a hot topic in 2007 and correctly using MCIF information has never been more important. Fort Belvoir Federal Credit Union, based in Woodbridge, Va., has seen impressive, bottom-line results in its switch to a targeted, one-to-one marketing strategy. The Credit Union is using DigitalMailer’s exclusive email technology, coupled with AdeptMedia’s mining data capabilities, to send members targeted email offers personalized for individual members.

“Now, we’re able to be fairly precise in getting the right offers to the right members,” said Jacque Connor, vice president of marketing and business development for Fort Belvoir FCU. “Members receive information about products they don’t have with us instead of those they already use.”

A case study of Fort Belvoir’s successful targeted marketing program was featured in the February 26 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council’s e-publication and on the council’s Web site.  To view the article in its entirety, visit http://www.cunamarketingcouncil.org/news/1302.html.

For information on the our email marketing product call (866) 994-4900, or visit www.digitalmailer.com/elerts.html

Businesses can help battle ID fraud

The Federal Trade Commission recently issued its annual report on consumer fraud complaints, with identity theft topping the list for the seventh year in a row. According to the government agency, 36 percent of all consumer complaints it received in 2006 referred to identity theft – with credit card fraud and bank fraud reported as the most common forms of identity theft among consumers.

The bulk of identity theft (68 percent) is carried out through traditional mail as opposed to online (12 percent), which is encouraging for customers who use your financial institution’s electronic services, such as eStatements. Nonetheless, it’s important for all institutions to help educate consumers on ways to guard against this problem. The FTC provides free tips for businesses to share with consumers to help in the fight against identity fraud.

Step one is to deter thieves by safeguarding personal or identifying information:

• Shred all financial documents or forms with your personal information before throwing them in the trash.
• Keep your social security number private – don’t carry it with you and only give it out if absolutely necessary. Always ask if another identifying piece of information can be used.

Next, monitor all billing and account statements regularly to detect suspicious activity:

• Be alert to any unexpected bills, credit cards or account statements you receive.
• Question instances when you are denied credit for no apparent reason or receive inquiries about purchases you did not make.

Finally, defend yourself as soon as you suspect your identity has been misused:

• Close any accounts that have been established in error or altered without your permission.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports by calling one of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. The FTC says calling one company is sufficient.
• File a police report to document proof of the crime for creditors and report the theft to the FTC. 

The good news is that fraud losses fell 11.5 percent in 2006, to $49.3 billion; and the number of victims dropped 5.6 percent, to 8.4 million. According to Javelin Strategy and Research, which provided the statistics, vigilance on the part of both financial institutions and consumers is the reason for the decreases.

Click here for tips on how consumers can safeguard their online accounts.

First Ounce of Postage is going up.. Again

The U.S. Postal Service is changing rates again! Beginning May 14, 2007, you’ll need a $.41-cent “forever” stamp to mail your single page statements, an increase of two cents; however, you’ll need less postage in the heavier multi-page ranges. Two cents may not seem like much of a hike but when multiplied by the cost of mailing thousands of account statements to your members every month, it adds up in a hurry. Simply put, paper statements cost too much and offer too little. They’re expensive to handle, expensive to print and, soon, even more expensive to mail. There’s never been a better time to lose the weight of paper statements. While eStatements already offer great benefits over paper – convenience, efficiencies and cost savings – May’s jump in postage rates could add unwanted costs in a hurry.

Do you realize that our clients will “lose” over $1.5 million in postage and paper statements in 2007! With postage rising in May and e-Statement adoption increasing – these figures will be even more significant in 2008. Who are DMI’s biggest losers? Click here to find out.

Paper, printing, postage... prices are all going up, which can drive your bottom line down. If your credit union now offers eStatements, this is the time to boost usage. If it doesn’t offer eStatements, there’s no better time to start. We can help with a new program or help grow your current eStatement Adoption rate. For ideas for your eStatement program visit our website at www.digitalmailer.com or send an email to info@digitalmailer.com.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR & COMPANY:
Ron Daly is President/CEO of DigitalMailer, Inc., a digital communication provider that helps clients gain a strategic business advantage through eStatements, e-Lerts, e-newsletters, email and other virtual tools on the Internet. You can email Ron at rdaly@digitalmailer.com if you want more information on any topic found in our newsletters or web site.

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© 2007 DMI