Original Question:
Joel Daniels asked us:
“Can someone provide some guidance on how best to make my marketing messages not appear like spam? (sorry, not tech expert)”
Answer:
Keeping your marketing emails out of the spam folder is essential to ensure your audience actually sees your messages. Additionally, compliance with federal regulations is just as important to avoid legal penalties and maintain your sender reputation. Below are best practices to improve email deliverability and stay compliant with laws like FCC, TCPA, and A2P messaging regulations. [Learn more in this blog: Navigating Compliance: What You Need to Know About FCC, TCPA, and A2P Regulations]
1. Follow Best Practices to Avoid Spam Filters
To ensure your messages reach inboxes instead of spam folders, follow these steps:
- Only Email People Who Have Given You Permission
- Never send marketing emails or texts to people who haven’t opted in.
- Using a clean, permission-based contact list reduces spam complaints.
- Avoid “Too Good to Be True” Claims
- Spam filters target emails with exaggerated language like “Guaranteed Income!” or “Make $10,000 overnight!”
- Be truthful and transparent in your messaging.
- Keep Formatting Clean and Professional
- Avoid excessive emojis, bold/red text, and ALL CAPS in subject lines.
- A well-formatted, easy-to-read email looks more legitimate.
- Don’t Send Mass Emails to a Cold List
- Sending emails to people who haven’t interacted with you before is a quick way to get flagged as spam.
- Instead, focus on warm leads—people who have signed up for your content or engaged with your business.
- Keep Your Email List Clean
- Remove invalid or inactive email addresses regularly.
- If an email bounces, update or delete it to maintain a healthy sender reputation.
2. Stay Compliant with FCC, TCPA, and A2P Messaging Regulations
In addition to improving deliverability, compliance with U.S. regulations is critical for email and SMS marketing. Here’s what you need to know:
FCC & TCPA Compliance (Phone & Text Messaging)
- Consumer Consent: You must obtain express consent before sending marketing messages via phone, text, or automated systems.
- Do Not Call (DNC) Registry: You must honor opt-out requests and avoid sending marketing texts/calls to those on the National DNC Registry.
- Opt-Out Mechanisms: Every email, text, or call must include a clear way for recipients to unsubscribe.
- Restricted Calling Hours: Calls and texts are only allowed between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time.
- Penalties: TCPA violations can result in fines of $500-$1,500 per violation—which can quickly add up in lawsuits.
A2P Messaging Compliance (Business Texting Regulations)
- 10DLC Registration: If you send SMS marketing messages, you must register your phone numbers with carriers for A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging compliance.
- Carrier Fees & Message Monitoring: Carriers charge fees per SMS segment and monitor messages for spam-like behavior.
- Opt-In/Opt-Out Management: Like TCPA rules, A2P requires clear opt-in consent and easy opt-out instructions.
- Rate Limits & Throttling: Carriers restrict unregistered senders from sending large volumes of texts.
👉 Need help with A2P Registration? Join us for a live support session:
📌 Register for A2P Compliance Help Here
3. Protect Your Business & Reputation
By following these best practices and compliance guidelines, you can:
✅ Improve Email Deliverability – More messages will land in inboxes, not spam folders.
✅ Avoid Costly Fines – TCPA & A2P violations can be expensive and hurt your business.
✅ Build Trust with Your Audience – Consumers are more likely to engage with messages from a trusted, compliant sender.
More Resources
To further refine your understanding and improve your Agent CRM experience, explore these related blog posts:
- A Winning Marketing Strategy for T65 Leads
- TCPA Rules In Effect January 27 2025 – Insurance Agents Must Take Notice
Watch and Learn
For more resources to help you thrive, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for great videos like this one:
