AM Inbox: Use a consistent sender name

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The Retail Email Blog monitors the email marketing campaigns of more than 100 top online retailers. Here are highlights from my inbox this morning:

InCircle, 10/2 — FOUR DAYS ONLY! The InCircle DOUBLE-POINT Shopping Event
This is a case where Neiman Marcus unnecessarily uses a sender name that’s likely to be unrecognizable to subscribers. InCircle is the name of their loyalty program and they do mention in their emails, but I’m not an InCircle member. I’ve also never received a Neiman Marcus email under that sender name before. Don’t make it difficult for your subscribers to recognize your emails in their inbox among personal emails and unwanted email. Use a consistent sender name—and if you feel the need to mix thing up a bit, extend your current sender name. For instance, in this case they could have used “Neiman Marcus’ InCircle” or possibly “InCircle from Neiman Marcus.” They could have also used the “Neiman Marcus” name in the subject line to reinforce the new sender name.



Orvis, 10/2 — 15 NEW gift card designs - a unique style for everyone on your list.
This is a really nice, simple use of animation, and a case where if the animation is blocked by Outlook 2007 very little is lost.



Here’s the animated portion of this email:



NFLshop, 10/2 — Share your opinions with us!
Just like Newegg, TigerDirect and others have done recently, NFLshop is soliciting feedback on their emails from subscribers. In this case, NFLshop has sent a dedicated email, and sent if from a new address, which is not the best in terms of deliverability and being recognizable to subscribers. Going into the holiday season, this is a great time to ask subscribers to refresh their preferences and to see if there are quick improvements that can be made to your email program.



Overstock, 10/2 — Introducing Overstock.com Real Estate
I’m not sure if this is the best timing or the worst, but Overstock has launched a real estate store.



Wal-Mart, 10/2 — New Features, New Ways to Save
Wal-Mart announces three new online departments: Grocery, Health & Beauty and Pets.

SUBJECTIVITY SCANNER: Select noteworthy subject lines
KB Toys, 10/2 — Save Up to 60% on Fall Toys - Help Stimulate the Economy
TigerDirect, 10/2 — $99 Barebones Bailout...4gb USB Drive $9.99...1tb HD $109
Sports Authority, 10/2 — Free Shipping on Apparel + Support Breast Cancer Awareness
FTD, 10/2 — Think Pink this October and Send a Gift of Hope
Toys “R” Us, 10/2 — Only 3 Days Left for Great Deals on iCarly, Bakugan, Halloween and more!
Eddie Bauer, 10/2 — Save 20% on our NEW! Eddie Bauer 365(TM) All - Climate System
Drs. Foster & Smith, 10/2 — Warm Dog Tips for Cool Weather
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