eROI Days Email Agency

HTML dominates emails — Research shows that more than 97% of consumers read HTML emails with only 3% receiving only text messages.

–Jupiter Research

The below study highlights a powerful trend of more interactivity on websites and the expectation of compelling flash embedded into websites. It got me thinking about the opposite trend in email where flash is seldom used in email as it is blocked from many ISPs and corporate email environments. Will it ever catch up to the web or is email a medium that will solely be used for HTML and text? Please comment below.

Macromedia Flash reaches 97.7% of Internet-connected PCs
In April 2006, NPD Research conducted a study to determine what percentage of Web browsers have Macromedia Flash Player pre-installed. The results show that 97.7% of Web users can experience Macromedia Flash content without having to download and install a player.

One of our clients, Ripe does a great job at simpliticy month in and month out. It is not the fact that the emails are lacking, just the opposite, they are filled with emotion, information and convey the idea of the restaurants through text. Novel concept huh?

My point I want to convey is that I challenge you to try text only email (RTF Rich Text of course so you can track it) but see how the responses differ. 2006 is your year for trying new and different things.

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OK – this English artist has gotten a ridiculous amount of mileage through email – I’ve received this text email with embedded images about 5 times now. The email starts like this…

“Julian Beever is an English artist who’s famous for his art on the pavements of England, France, Germany, USA, Australia and Belgium. Beever gives to his drawing an anamorphous look. His images are drawn completely deformed which give a 3D image when viewed at the right angle. See for yourself it’s amazing!”

So why is this guy getting so much love through email – his pictures tell a unique, authentic and very cool story…

Great use of an irregular text email that makes me use it at the store instead of online. I have to print it and take it in as well as can only use it once. (I think that they missed that one as how the heck can they track a generic code once? And they told you to send it to a friend.

from Banana Republic:

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME FALL OFFER—
IN STORES ONLY!
now through September 19
get 15% off any purchase of $125 or more
when you shop a Banana Republic store near you.*

It’s the perfect time to see what’s in store for you—from the
tweeds and flannels or sweaters and woven shirts to the latest
fall accessories.

To redeem this in-store offer, print this page and present it at
time of purchase. Cashiers use reason code 190.*

*Offer valid through September 19, 2005 at 11:59 PM (ET) only at
Banana Republic stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Coupon is
good one-time use only and must be surrendered at time of
in-store purchase. Limit one discount per customer per
transaction. Qualifying amount applies to merchandise only, not
value of gift certificates purchased, packaging, applicable
taxes, or shipping & handling. Payment of a Banana Republic
Account does not count toward the qualifying amount. May not be
redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. No adjustment on previous
purchases. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discounts.
Not valid at Banana Republic Factory stores. Offer is
nontransferable without consent from Banana Republic. Returns
& Exchanges are subject to Banana Republic’s Return Policy.
If you have any questions, please call 1-888-BR-STYLE or email
us at custserv@bananarepublic.com. Cashiers use reason code 190.

Click here to forward to a friend.

When I first saw the email shown below, I thought “just another Viagra or Cialis spam email” with no unsubscribe mechanism. Then, I realized that it had made it past my spam filter and wasn’t even flagged as spam in the subject line. This spammer was perfecting some classic spammer tricks which contributed to his success in making it to my inbox. First, the email was all text (albeit oversized text on a shaded background). Secondly, the large spam-like word “sperm” was deliberately misspelled to “spur-m” to avoid spam filters. Lastly, the spammer avoided any use of the phrase “click here.”