Web-based mailing services to revive those dud enquiries?

[Mountain Goat]

We're contemplating using a mailing service to distribute a newsletter to last year's enquirers (and bookers). Dubious territory I know, and has to be handled carefully.

Anyone used anything like these outfits?

http://www.mailchimp.com/

http://www.relevanttools.com/

Latter looks interesting, as you have a basic database, and mail-merge looks possible with both. They appear to have a healthy interest in the legal aspect of possible spam, and one's mailing address has to be included in all outgoing traffic, plus opt-out features. Tracking facilities look good as well.

MG

[Hells Bells]

Mountain Goat, I have just added all my enquirers and bookers to a Contact group in Gmail. I have made a simple newsletter in Publisher, and then mail it to all in the contact group. I have added an 'unsubscribe' email to my webmail , but so far no-one has chosen to do so.

[enid]

I do much the same Helen

[Mountain Goat]

Google Groups look a good solution, but I want to group the punters by:

1) Property they wanted
2) Christmas/New Year chancers
3) Beware - large group
4) Ultra-picky
5) Pet refusal (remember that ferret?)
6) Discount offered
7) Needs a cow for the kids
Just plain nuts
9) Season preference - Winter/Spring/Summer
10) West African mention

etc.

and with Google Groups it would be a bit clumsy, whereas a simple online (important for us) database might be easier. In addition, in case of any (unjustified) spamming issues, would rather argue it out from the standpoint of using someone else's kit.

MG

- that Smiley is meant to be an 8 with a bracket

[Hells Bells]

Thank goodness I only get normal guests!!