You're not a spammer...right?

So you've sent a hundred different emails to the same group of people...but this email is different.  This one goes straight to the Junk/Spam folder.  And you're left to ask yourself, "what just happened?!"

You're not a spammer!  And junk?  Well, you'd like to think you're not sending junk mail, right?  What you probably don't realize, however, is that every ounce of formatting in your emails - from subject line to body text - dictates your spam score.

...uhh...spam score?  Don't worry, there's not a little rosy-cheeked elf inside your computer holding an index card and a golf pencil counting your points.  Though that would be kind of cool, the rules for spam scoring are ever changing, so just keep in mind a few simple things to stay off the spam radar.

1.)  Be Yourself.  Having your To and From lines properly filled out is obviously a pretty easy thing to do...considering it's necessary...but your subject line needs to relate specifically to the message you're sending.  Be professional in your wording so that your emails are taken for what they really are - Just another email trying to get a point across and build a customer relationship.  Remember, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck...chances are...it's a duck.  So if that little elf in your recipient's computer says, "IT'S SPAM!"  ...guess what?  Your email just got demoted.

2.)  Less is more.  Keeping your email short and simple will help you tremendously.  Keep the changing font sizes, colors and large images out of your emails to help lower your spam score.

3.)  Consistency is key.  Be as consistent as possible when you send out your emails.  Develop a routine.  Of course, your recipients won't care in their 1.2 second average view time, but at least you'll feel better in knowing your mail ended up in the right place.

So go, be free!  Email away!

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