Happy New Year! We've changed the format of our newsletter to include useful information on how to communicate effectively using e-mail. In addition, there's a new section called "Behind the Scenes" that gives you a peek at the inner-workings of the GovDelivery team. Finally, you'll find client success stories and recent launches to learn how other organizations are benefiting from our GovDelivery E-mail Subscription Management system.

Sincerely,
Scott Burns, CEO

QUARTERLY TIP: Avoiding the SPAM Label

To get your New Year off to an effective start, here are some tips on how to prevent your e-mail from being labeled as SPAM. Obviously, we "practice what we preach" and ensure that GovDelivery adheres to all of these principles.

Preventing E-mail from Being Labeled SPAM

1. Use a profile-based system not a "list" based system.
   • Users must be able to view everything they are signed up for from your agency and unsubscribe at will.
   • Don't make users sign up and unsubscribe from one list at a time.
2. When possible, deliver links back to updates of specific interest.
   • Long e-mails get blocked more frequently (and don't get read).
   • When users can sign up for exactly what they want, your e-mail communication is welcomed.
3. Send e-mails individually, not as large BCCs.
4. Track click-through rates and monitor bounce patterns.
5. Monitor trends in anti-SPAM software and maintain relationships with ISPs.
6. Send e-mail clearly marked from your organization not from individuals or from confusing e-mail addresses.
7. Clearly label the subject of your e-mail and don't try to deceive the reader with "catchy" subject lines.
8. Include a valid return e-mail address.
9. Avoid using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS and excessive "!!!" use. Some SPAM software notice these attention-getting formats.

Click here to download a printer-friendly version of this list

BEHIND THE SCENES: Lisa Lynch, Marketing Director

Lisa Lynch joined the GovDelivery team in November 2004 as the Director of Marketing. She received her MBA from the University of Minnesota in 2000 and brings to the company over 8 years of marketing experience from General Mills, the technology industry, and her own photography business. In addition to managing the day-to-day aspects of marketing, Lisa also works with current and new clients to help them generate awareness about the GovDelivery E-Mail Subscription Management service among their citizens and other interested parties.

Feel free to contact Lisa by phone at 866-276-5583 ext. 316 or by e-mail at lisa.lynch@govdocs.com if you would like marketing or PR help to get the word out about your service.

CLIENT HEADLINE: TriMet Wins Website Award

For the second time, the Tri-County Metropolitan District of Portland, OR (TriMet), received the “Top Transit Traveler Information Website 2004” award, given by the Federal Transit Administration. TriMet was one of four West Coast Transit systems selected from 1,455 active transit sites to win the award. Congratulations TriMet!

http://www.fta.dot.gov/14805_ENG_HTML.htm

http://www.trimet.org/

FEATURED GOVDELIVERY SUCCESS STORY: USDA

www.fsis.usda.gov

United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS)

"This service enables customers to choose the topics important to them and stay updated whether or not they visit this Website regularly."

Dr. Elsa Murano
Under Secretary for Food Safety, USDA

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service launched GovDelivery in August 2004. They are using GovDelivery to proactively communicate time-sensitive information to citizens as directed by the president's E-Gov agenda, organize and automate the dissemination of information, and increase the number of subscription options available to web visitors. The USDA FSIS uses GovDelivery to communicate to citizens about recalls, export requirements, federal cases, news releases and much more.

Since launching GovDelivery in August 2004, the USDA FSIS:

• Sent more than 235,000 e-mails to subscribers within 4 months of deploying GovDelivery
• Added more than 5,000 subscribers with an average of 10.31 subscriptions per subscriber
• Generated 65,000 extra visits to the Agency's website

RECENT GOVDELIVERY LAUNCHES

	Oregon Department of Human Services http://www.dhs.state.or.us/
	Sound Transit, Washington State http://www.soundtransit.org/
	Macomb County, Michigan http://macombcountymi.gov/
	Highways Agency (UK) http://www.highways.gov.uk/
	Idaho Department of Fish and Game http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/

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