Email Marketing With Sendy – Review & Tutorial

Introduction

Email marketing remains a crucial tool for businesses and content creators to connect with their audience. In this comprehensive review and tutorial, we’ll explore Sendy, a powerful and cost-effective email marketing solution. Sendy offers a unique approach to email marketing, combining the affordability of a one-time purchase with the scalability of Amazon SES. This article will dive deep into Sendy’s features, installation process, and practical applications, comparing it to other popular email marketing tools. Whether you’re a small business owner, content creator, or marketing professional, this guide will help you understand if Sendy is the right choice for your email marketing needs.

What is Sendy and Why Consider It?

Sendy is an email marketing platform that offers a unique proposition in the crowded email marketing space. Here’s why it’s worth considering:

Cost-Effective Solution

• Sendy operates on a one-time payment model, costing just $59 for a lifetime license
• This pricing structure sets it apart from subscription-based services like MailChimp or ActiveCampaign
• The one-time fee covers updates until the next major version release, similar to traditional software licensing models

Amazon SES Integration

• Sendy leverages Amazon’s Simple Email Service (SES) for sending emails
• This integration allows for highly cost-effective email sending, with rates as low as $0.10 per 1,000 emails
• Amazon SES provides excellent deliverability and scalability for your email campaigns

Self-Hosted Platform

• Unlike many email marketing tools, Sendy is self-hosted on your own server
• This gives you more control over your data and infrastructure
• It requires some technical know-how but offers greater flexibility and customization options

White-Label Capabilities

• Sendy allows you to create white-label accounts for clients
• This feature is particularly useful for agencies managing multiple client email campaigns

Considerations Before Choosing Sendy

• While Sendy offers many advantages, it’s important to consider the technical requirements
• You’ll need to be comfortable with server management and basic web technologies
• The platform may not be suitable for those seeking advanced automation features out of the box

Installation Process

Installing Sendy requires some technical knowledge, but the process is straightforward if you follow these steps:

Server Requirements

• Choose a web server capable of running PHP applications
• Ensure your server meets Sendy’s minimum requirements (PHP version, MySQL database, etc.)
• A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is recommended for better performance and scalability

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Purchase and download Sendy from their official website
2. Upload the Sendy files to your web server using FTP or your hosting control panel
3. Create a MySQL database for Sendy
4. Configure the config.php file with your database and server details
5. Run the installation script by accessing your Sendy URL in a web browser
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup

Amazon SES Setup

• Create an Amazon Web Services (AWS) account if you don’t have one
• Set up Amazon SES within your AWS console
• Verify your sending domain and email addresses
• Obtain your AWS access key and secret key for Sendy configuration

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Ensure all file permissions are set correctly on your server
• Double-check your database credentials in the config.php file
• Verify that your server meets all the necessary PHP extensions and requirements

Setting Up Your First Campaign

Once Sendy is installed, you can start creating your first email campaign:

Creating a Brand

• Set up a new brand within Sendy for your company or client
• Configure brand-specific settings such as from name, email, and logo

Importing Subscribers

• Use Sendy’s CSV import feature to add existing subscribers to your lists
• Ensure your CSV file is formatted correctly with at least name and email columns

Designing Your Email

• Utilize Sendy’s HTML editor to create your email template
• Consider using pre-made templates or a drag-and-drop email builder for easier design

Sending a Test Email

• Always send a test email to yourself before launching a campaign
• Check for any formatting issues or broken links in the test email

Scheduling and Sending

• Choose your target list and set up your campaign details
• Schedule your campaign for immediate sending or a future date and time

Advanced Features and Integrations

Sendy offers several advanced features and integrations to enhance your email marketing efforts:

Autoresponders

• Set up automated email sequences triggered by subscriber actions
• Create drip campaigns to nurture leads over time

Segmentation

• Use Sendy’s segmentation features to target specific groups within your lists
• Create segments based on subscriber data or behavior for more personalized campaigns

Custom Fields

• Add custom fields to your subscription forms to collect additional subscriber information
• Use this data for more targeted and personalized email campaigns

API and Zapier Integration

• Leverage Sendy’s API to integrate with other tools and platforms
• Use Zapier to connect Sendy with thousands of other apps for automated workflows

WordPress Integration

• Utilize WordPress plugins like “Sendy Elements” for Elementor Pro integration
• Connect Sendy with WooCommerce using available plugins for e-commerce email marketing

Pros and Cons of Using Sendy

Pros

• Highly cost-effective for large email lists due to Amazon SES pricing
• One-time purchase model eliminates ongoing subscription fees
• Self-hosted solution offers greater control and data ownership
• White-label capabilities for agencies and multi-brand management
• Good deliverability rates through Amazon SES

Cons

• Requires technical knowledge for installation and management
• Limited built-in automation features compared to some competitors
• No drag-and-drop email builder included (third-party solutions available)
• Learning curve for those used to all-in-one email marketing platforms

Comparison with Other Email Marketing Tools

How does Sendy stack up against other popular email marketing solutions?

Sendy vs. MailChimp

• Sendy offers significant cost savings for larger lists
• MailChimp provides a more user-friendly interface and built-in design tools
• Sendy requires more technical setup but offers greater control

Sendy vs. SendFox

• Both offer lifetime deals, but Sendy’s pricing model may be more attractive for larger lists
• SendFox provides a simpler setup process and user interface
• Sendy offers more advanced features like segmentation and custom fields

Sendy vs. ActiveCampaign

• ActiveCampaign offers more advanced automation and CRM features
• Sendy is more cost-effective for basic email marketing needs
• ActiveCampaign provides a more comprehensive marketing automation platform

Best Practices for Using Sendy

To get the most out of Sendy, consider these best practices:

Server Management

• Regularly update your server and Sendy installation for security and performance
• Monitor your server resources and scale as needed for larger campaigns

List Hygiene

• Regularly clean your email lists to remove inactive subscribers
• Use double opt-in to ensure high-quality subscribers and improve deliverability

Content Strategy

• Focus on creating valuable, engaging content for your subscribers
• Use segmentation to deliver more targeted and relevant emails

Testing and Optimization

• Consistently test your emails across different devices and email clients
• Use Sendy’s reporting features to analyze campaign performance and optimize future sends

Compliance

• Familiarize yourself with email marketing laws and regulations (e.g., GDPR, CAN-SPAM)
• Use Sendy’s built-in compliance features to stay within legal guidelines

Key Takeaways

Sendy offers a unique and cost-effective solution for email marketing, particularly appealing to those comfortable with managing their own server infrastructure. Here are the key points to remember:

1. Cost-Effectiveness: With a one-time purchase of $59 and low per-email costs through Amazon SES, Sendy can significantly reduce email marketing expenses for businesses with large subscriber lists.
2. Self-Hosted Solution: By hosting Sendy on your own server, you gain greater control over your email marketing infrastructure and data. This approach requires more technical knowledge but offers flexibility and customization options.
3. Features and Integrations: While not as comprehensive as some all-in-one platforms, Sendy provides essential features like autoresponders, segmentation, and custom fields. Its API and Zapier integrations allow for connectivity with other tools and platforms.
4. Scalability: Leveraging Amazon SES allows Sendy to handle large email volumes efficiently, making it suitable for growing businesses and agencies managing multiple clients.
5. Learning Curve: Setting up and managing Sendy requires more technical expertise compared to drag-and-drop email platforms. However, this investment in learning can pay off with long-term cost savings and greater control.
6. Deliverability: By utilizing Amazon SES, Sendy benefits from strong email deliverability rates, crucial for ensuring your messages reach subscribers’ inboxes.
7. White-Label Capabilities: Agencies and businesses managing multiple brands can take advantage of Sendy’s white-label features to create client-specific email marketing portals.
8. Comparison with Competitors: While Sendy may lack some advanced automation features found in platforms like ActiveCampaign, it offers a more cost-effective solution for basic to intermediate email marketing needs compared to services like MailChimp or SendFox.
9. Best Practices: To maximize Sendy’s potential, focus on proper server management, list hygiene, content strategy, and compliance with email marketing regulations.
10. Future Considerations: As Sendy continues to develop, keep an eye on new features and updates that may enhance its capabilities and ease of use.

In conclusion, Sendy presents a compelling option for businesses and marketers looking to reduce their email marketing costs without sacrificing essential features. Its unique combination of a one-time purchase model and Amazon SES integration makes it particularly attractive for those with large subscriber lists or agencies managing multiple clients. While it requires more technical setup and management than some alternatives, the long-term cost savings and control it offers can make it a worthwhile investment for many email marketers.

For those considering Sendy, it’s essential to weigh the technical requirements against your team’s capabilities and the potential cost savings. If you’re comfortable with server management and basic web technologies, Sendy could be an excellent choice to power your email marketing efforts while keeping costs under control.

To learn more about Sendy and stay updated on email marketing trends, consider joining the ThatLTD Life community on Facebook (http://facebook.com/groups/daveswift) or following David Swift on Twitter (https://twitter.com/davidswift). For additional resources and reviews on marketing tools, visit ClientAmp (https://clientamp.com).