This year, Norwich-based digital marketing agency – 101 – celebrates the 20th anniversary of its email marketing platform, Smart Messenger. To mark the anniversary, 101’s MD, Holly Stibbon, has written an insightful blog revealing what it was like to be one of the first to market with an email marketing system and reflecting on the brand’s achievements and growth in the following two decades. How it all began Twenty years ago, 101 launched one of the UK’s first ever email marketing systems: Smart Messenger. Back then, email marketing was in its infancy. The use of email systems in business was also still relatively new, having only become commonplace in the 1990s. In 2003, 101 was already five years old, with an established client base and a reputation for high-quality web design and development. A website client approached the team for help with an email project. They wanted a solution that would allow them to know how many emails had been sent and opened. 101 accepted the challenge and built a standalone product that delivered what the customer required. It was basic, but revolutionary at the time! 101 recognised the commercial potential of the system, and Smart Messenger was born. Over the next twenty years, Smart Messenger has been enhanced and improved with countless new features and upgrades to become the powerful, intuitive system that it is now. Today, the Smart Messenger platform handles the creation, delivery and reporting of millions of emails each month for hundreds of clients of all sizes. Smart Messenger ethos Throughout this time, 101 has remained faithful to its original ethos when starting out with Smart Messenger, which is to provide a first-class, UK-based email marketing solution and an unrivalled level of customer service. Today’s Smart Messenger clients benefit from:
- An intuitive, fully-featured email marketing solution with powerful functionality
- A choice of three cost-effective subscription plans (Lite, Standard and Pro), to cater for businesses of all types and sizes, from start-ups to SMEs and corporates
- Full training and unlimited, ongoing phone support from 101’s friendly, expert team in Norwich
- An entirely UK-based platform supported by 101’s in-house data protection specialists and a guarantee that clients’ data is safe with 101.
What is the secret of Smart Messenger’s success? 101’s MD, Holly Stibbon, is clear on the reasons for Smart Messenger’s success: “It’s simple. We deliver all the top email marketing functionality our clients require combined with a level of tailored, personal service that huge global email marketing companies like Mailchimp simply cannot begin to rival. “We get to know our clients so we can provide support and guidance based on their individual requirements. We also provide free training for new subscribers and our renowned ‘Just Call Us’ support service. This unlimited, ongoing phone and email support is available to all our clients for no extra charge. It is often a key reason why marketers switch to Smart Messenger from faceless online services where support is limited to chatbots or help forums. “We are also entirely UK based and clients often choose Smart Messenger as an alternative to Mailchimp because of concerns about where their data is being held and processed. Our servers are based in the UK, we’re stringent about data protection and clients can be assured that their data is safe with us.” Top tips for email marketers Drawing on two decades of email marketing experience, Holly’s three top tips for email marketers are:
- Know where your data is being held and processed – handling your contacts’ data responsibly and in line with data protection regulations is a major responsibility.
- Ensure your email content is relevant – the goal is for recipients to click on your calls to action, not hunt for the unsubscribe link!
- Test, test and test again. Make sure your emails look the best they can when they reach their recipients so they align with your organisation’s professional image.
101 has produced a useful blog containing more simple tips on how to get better results from email marketing. What does the future hold? According to Holly, the company will continue to build upon the strong brand reputation that Smart Messenger has gained over the last 20 years: “After 20 fantastic years for Smart Messenger, we have no intention of resting on our laurels! The platform will continue to improve and evolve over the coming years – as it always has – to include even greater functionality and features in response to customer demand and technological advances. Meanwhile, we’ll continue to focus on providing unrivalled customer support and helping clients to benefit from the advanced features already included in this powerful system.” About Smart Messenger Launched in 2003 by 101, Smart Messenger is a professional, easy-to-use, UK-based email marketing solution for businesses of all sizes. The system includes powerful features such as landing page and form builders and automated workflow capabilities. Clients choose from three subscription plans, depending on the functionality they require and the volume of emails they intend to send. Plans start from £10 per month. 101’s expert team of designers, account managers and technical specialists in Norwich provide all the training, unlimited ongoing support and advice that clients need to get the most from their campaigns. The platform is trusted by hundreds of UK organisations to help them drive business and achieve their goals. If you’re looking for a digital marketing agency to help you shape a really successful future for your email campaigns, give 101 a call. We would love to hear from you. www.smartmessenger.co.uk
