Enhancing Cold Sales Email Deliverability
Enhancing Cold Sales Email Deliverability
Don't Get Flagged As Spam
In the SaaS sales industry, one of the most effective methods of reaching out to potential clients is through email. Cold emails, in particular, can be a remarkably efficient tool in this realm. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that these emails accomplish their very purpose; landing in the lead's inbox rather than been categorized as spam.
As a proactive measure, utilizing SPF, DMARC, and DKIM protocols help improve the deliverability rate of your cold sales emails. This article explores these three protocols in detail, documenting how they interact with spam filters and improve your cold email deliverability.
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Understanding Email Authentication Systems
To successfully send cold emails that are not labeled as spam, it is crucial to fundamentally understand three Email Authentication Systems: SPF, DMARC, and DKIM. Simply put, these are techniques that help in verifying the identity of the sender and defending against malicious emails. Without these authentications, your email could be relegated to the spam folders or worse, rejected altogether.
1. Sender Policy Framework (SPF):
SPF confirms the authenticity of emails by validating the IP address against an approved list of IP addresses outlined in the sender’s domain record. It prevents spammers from sending emails on behalf of your domain.
2. DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM):
DKIM allows the receiver to check if the email was actually sent by the domain it claims to be from and if the content was tampered with during transit. It is accomplished with a digital signature, part of the domain's DNS record, linked to the outbound emails.
3. Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC):
DMARC is essentially an intersection between SPF and DKIM. It verifies that the sender's domain has passed either SPF, DKIM or both, while also offering a policy framework defined by the sender for handling emails that fail authentication.
Instructions for Setting Up SPF, DMARC and DKIM
Setting up these email authentication systems isn't necessarily difficult but it does require specific actions:
Setting Up SPF:
1. Determine your sending IP addresses: Identify all sources from which you send out emails, including hosting providers and third-party providers.
2. Create the SPF record: The record should include all the sending IP addresses identified, in the form of a TXT record in your Domain Name System (DNS).
3. Publish the SPF record: Once the record is ready, publish it to your DNS.
https://support.google.com/a/answer/10684623?hl=en
Setting Up DKIM:
1. Create a public-private key pair: The private key is used at the sending server to create a unique signature, while the public key is placed in the DNS record, letting the receiving server verify the signature.
2. Update DNS record: Add the public key to your DNS as a TXT record.
3. Implement signing at the sending server: Configure your email server to begin signing outbound emails with the private key.
https://support.google.com/a/answer/180504?hl=en
Setting Up DMARC:
1. Configure SPF and DKIM: DMARC relies on these two, so they need to be correctly configured before you can proceed with DMARC.
2. Outline your DMARC policy: This includes specifying actions to be taken when an email fails authentication.
3. Publish DMARC rule: Similar to SPF and DKIM, the DMARC policy should be published as a TXT record in your DNS.
https://support.google.com/a/answer/2466563?hl=en
Conclusion
Email deliverability is a critical factor in ensuring your cold sales emails reach your prospects effectively. The adoption of SPF, DMARC, and DKIM dramatically reduces the chance of your emails being labeled as spam, paving the way for improved email marketing performance in the SaaS landscape.
By following this guidance, you will enhance your email deliverability, protecting your domain's reputation and fostering stronger relationships with leads via a more reliable email communication. Always remember, in the digital landscape of today, acting strategically and tactically to best apply secure protocols can greatly boost the efficacy of your sales pipeline.