Pretty fitting that my 4 year journey at Bronto ends on my 100th post. (Yes. You read that last sentence correctly.). It’s been an incredible trek at Bronto - one that includes BrontoFire, Twitter, and tons of content right here on the Bronto Blog.
As I finish my time at Bronto (more on that later), I thought it would be fitting to leave you with some parting thoughts on email marketing best practices - what I’ve learned, shared, and preached most over the past ~1,460 days. Buckle up and enjoy the ride with me.
4 Key Lessons From The Trail
- Don’t BLAST: Never ever (ever) use the word blast in the same sentence as email or email marketing. Never. Blast is what space shuttles, Super Soakers, fireworks, and volcanoes do. Not strategic, smart email marketers.
- Send timely, targeted, relevant emails to subscribers who have asked for them - also known as “The Perfect Email.”
- Test. Then, when you are done testing, test again. Then retest. You get the idea.
- “Email is free. Email marketing isn’t.” Enough said.
What’s Next?
Rest assured that with my departure from Bronto, this blog is in great hands. For the past year, these posts have been chock full of incredible content from some of the best in the industry - of course I am referring to Bronto Blog contributors Kristen Gregory, Kelly Lorenz, and Julie Waite. These three email marketing strategists will continue to produce words of wisdom on a regular basis.
As you may be able to decipher from the Google Map above, I’ll no longer be in Durham, NC but will certainly be cheering Bronto from afar.
In the words of Bronto’s fearless leader, “Onward and Upward.” In my words…
Stay classy, Durham.
DJ Waldow
Director of Best Practices & Deliverability at Bronto
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Congrats on a job well done! You made our transition to Bronto smooth and easy last summer. Wishing you the best (from all in Ibex-land) in your next adventure, and I’m sure as long as the interwebs are working, this isn’t the last we’ll hear from @djwaldow - Looking forward to raising glasses in favor of your news at IRCE next week!
And also excited to hear from more from Kristen, she drops knowledge like none other (present company excluded…hmm, maybe)
DJ, you’ve been an incredible brand ambassador for Bronto and a crusader for all that is good and right in the world of email marketing! I’m sure that last part won’t change a bit.
Congrats on a job well done and good luck (not that you need it) on your next adventure! I KNOW that we have not heard that last of DJ Waldow. : )
Dude, you rock!
DJ was probably one of the first guys in the Industry when I entered Email Marketing one year ago! He not only fed me truck loads of information (not personally, but through everything he’s written and contributed to) but impassioned me for the Industry and giving back to the community which has ultimately lead to my job role within my current employer.
I’m so glad to hear that DJ is still staying in the Industry and will be interested to see what shapes he takes on in his new role as well as what legacy he leaves behind.
Thanks DJ, it’s been a damn fun ride and I’m pretty sure you’re not gonna let it stop just yet.
DJ,
Wow.
Congratulations on 100 posts, countless more connections/relationships - and on leaving this blog in good hands. Well done on the transition.
I think I speak for everyone when I say I look forward to hearing more from you (as Jess notes you’re unlikely to fall off the radar entirely) as your own journey takes its next turn.
Cheers to you and to all at Bronto.
Adios, DJ. Glad you called back that day in 2005 I was rude to you on the phone…
More time for me to bother you with EEC stuff? Sweet!
Go get em Tiger.
@jess: You are in excellent hands with Kristen.
@amyblack: Last of DJ Waldow? Yeah, right.
@Jake: Thanks for your kind words. Right back at you. You’ve helped tremendously on the deliverability front.
@Justin: You’ll certainly hear more from me. Also, I’m very confident that the current team of Bronto bloggers will make this place even better!
@Eric: I’ll never forget that first call into Bronto. Not sure I ever told you this, but I chose to call you b/c of the Wade Boggs connection.
@Jay: Never a bother. Great working with you always.
@everyone: I’m truly humbled by your comments
dj
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DJ Waldow
Director of Best Practices & Deliverability at Bronto
DJ, I only had the pleasure of working with you for a couple weeks before settling down with Julie as an Account Manager, but none-the-less I enjoyed working with you. Any time you would make a guest appearance on a weekly call was much appreciated! :)
Good luck to you always! Enjoy the move and I look forward to hearing from you at BSF AND via Twitter!
-KW at IMA
Hey DJ - congratulations on behalf of everyone in the email industry. Your blog is on our required reading list, and seeing the 100th post departure was kind of a shock but really looking forward to Kristen Gregory, Kelly Lorenz, and Julie Waite’s posts.
@Kristen (aka “KW at IMA”): Thank you so much for your kind words. Maybe I can join you and Julie on a call via SLC…
@Chris Healey: Thank you! That is very nice of you to say. The Bronto Blog is in excellent hands with Julie, Kristen and Kelly. I believe that it will be even better!
dj
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DJ Waldow
Director of Best Practices & Deliverability at Bronto