Take a deep breath…
The vacations are winding down, and the 12 months is coming to an in depth. It’s time to replicate on 2021 to see how far we’ve come.
The previous 12 months have been fairly a whirlwind for the E-mail on Acid model. Whether or not you casually learn our weblog, subscribe to our publication, or use our electronic mail testing and optimization instruments on daily basis, it’s been nice having you alongside for the journey.
Right here’s a glance again at E-mail on Acid’s story in 2021, together with some information, occasions, and initiatives you might have missed.
E-mail within the subsequent/new regular
Whether or not you name it the “subsequent regular” or the “new regular”, it positive looks like we’re nonetheless ready to seek out out what regular really means.
Whereas 2020 will go down within the historical past books because the 12 months every thing modified, 2021 got here with its justifiable share of disruptions as effectively. For those who anticipated life and work to return to “regular,” you most likely didn’t anticipate we’d nonetheless be in the course of a pandemic at this level.
All through all of it, electronic mail continues to show its relevancy as an important communication channel.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply electronic mail stays the identical whereas every thing adjustments. The occasions of 2020 additionally meant electronic mail entrepreneurs needed to adapt in 2021.
We wrote about lots of these adjustments in an unique e book, E-mail Advertising and the Subsequent Regular. The particular report features a listing of motion gadgets in addition to insights into:
- E-mail’s position in public security and disaster communication through the COVID-19 pandemic.
- How electronic mail engagement metrics and shopper conduct modified in 2020.
- Why the financial restoration requires completely different electronic mail methods for various industries.
- What ongoing points together with politics, social justice, and local weather change imply for electronic mail entrepreneurs.
Regardless that we’re closing in on two years since COVID-19 entered the scene, a variety of the data and recommendation on this report stays helpful for entrepreneurs who perceive that the established order is not the way in which to go.
Celebrating electronic mail historical past
2021 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the invention of electronic mail… allegedly.
E-mail on Acid celebrated the event with an interactive timeline of electronic mail historical past. We additionally explored the controversy surrounding who actually invented electronic mail. Because it seems, some electronic mail geeks get fairly obsessed with whether or not the credit score ought to go to Ray Tomlinson or Shiva Ayyadurai.
(Take a look at the article’s feedback to see what we imply)
Each males have attention-grabbing tales, and it’s simple to see how both of them might obtain the moniker of “inventor of electronic mail.” Historical past is a bizarre factor.
A private spotlight from our exploration of electronic mail historical past was when advertising pioneer, best-selling creator, and all-around beneficiant dude, Seth Godin, replied to my electronic mail asking for his ideas. Discover out what Seth has to say about electronic mail’s future greater than 20 years after he wrote Permission Advertising.
The way forward for electronic mail is now
E-mail on Acid hosted a bunch of webinars for electronic mail entrepreneurs within the first half of 2021. Our hottest was a collection of webinars on the way forward for electronic mail hosted in partnership with emfluence.
We took some model ideas from Marty McFly and Doc Brown and obtained some nice suggestions on our electronic mail advertising trilogy, which you’ll watch on-demand now:
Managing stress and the group
E-mail advertising will be anxious. We all know that for sure as a result of we straight up requested electronic mail entrepreneurs. Our E-mail Advertising and Stress Survey in 2021 discovered that greater than 70% of electronic mail geeks suppose their work is anxious. (Ship button nervousness, anybody?)
Communication breakdowns could cause stress, which is why a supportive, cohesive group is a big reduction. However how do you accomplish that, particularly if you’re whole group is working remotely?
Within the midst of updating the listing of supported shoppers and conserving our electronic mail preview engine operating, the E-mail on Acid product group additionally refined and relaunched our electronic mail group administration instruments in 2021.
These options make it a lot simpler for distant advertising groups to collaborate and talk on electronic mail design and improvement earlier than launching a brand new marketing campaign. Meaning you’ll be extra more likely to preserve your state of Zen.
Take a look at these articles to be taught extra about the advantages of E-mail on Acid group administration instruments:
Extra not too long ago, we obtained some real-world recommendation on electronic mail group communication from builders and designers with loads of hands-on expertise. Take a look at How E-mail Builders and Designers can Work Higher Collectively for extra.
The Splat Fest digital occasion
The e-mail geek neighborhood is stuffed with sensible folks with concepts to share. That’s why E-mail on Acid launched the digital occasion, Splat Fest in June of 2021.
Whether or not you deal with electronic mail technique, electronic mail design, or electronic mail improvement, there was slightly one thing for everybody. Splat Fest included subjects like:
- BIMI logos
- Experimenting with AMP emails
- E-mail accessibility and inclusion
- Advertising automation
- Interactive emails with dynamic content material
- And rather more!
All Splat Fest digital classes are actually reside and obtainable for viewing.
The acquisition double-whammy
By far the most important information for E-mail on Acid in 2021 was a change in possession and management for the primary time in firm historical past.
In June, we mentioned so lengthy to co-founder and CEO John Thies because the model was acquired by Pathwire — the mother or father firm of Mailgun and its highly effective electronic mail API in addition to the intuitive electronic mail builder, Mailjet. CEO Will Conway took over the reins, and now our three mixed manufacturers can assist companies construct, ship, take a look at, and ship all their electronic mail communications.
Nevertheless it didn’t finish there!
In late September, we introduced that international communications firm, Sinch, had plans to amass Pathwire together with all three electronic mail manufacturers. The acquisition grew to become official in December. We’re simply attending to know our counterparts in Sweden (which is the place Sinch’s HQs are positioned) and world wide.
Sinch makes a speciality of cellular and voice messaging, and the Pathwire acquisition means clients have a whole set of communication options.
“For those who’re interested by including new channels to your communications technique, we predict you’ll be excited to listen to concerning the prospects this new chapter will present…
“Including cellular messaging, voice, and video companies to your electronic mail expertise means you’re not simply specializing in the current of buyer communications – you’re additionally on the brink of present the expertise the subsequent technology calls for.”
~ Will Conway, Pathwire CEO
Oh, and did we point out we’re actually wanting ahead to taking our first fika break?
Darkish Mode: Half Deux
Darkish mode electronic mail was an enormous deal for E-mail on Acid in 2020, and we returned to go to the subject with Pathwire in 2021.
First, we carried out a survey in partnership with Ascend2 and revealed the most important darkish mode electronic mail challenges. Topping the listing was coping with darkish mode emblem issues in emails.
You’ll want to try all of the survey ends in our darkish mode electronic mail infographic.
E-mail on Acid Sr. Developer, Megan Boshuyzen, additionally talked darkish mode and coding throughout Pathwire’s Nightmare at E-mail Camp in October of 2021. Hear from Megan if you try all the e-mail developer classes from Day 2 of the digital occasion. It additionally contains coding ideas from Jay Oram of ActionRocket and electronic mail accessibility insights from Paul Ethereal.
What’s new in 2022?
So what’s forward within the New Yr? An excessive amount of to speak about on this weblog submit, my pal. And the reality is… who is aware of!
If the final couple of years taught us something, it’s to be prepared for absolutely anything. There’s one factor, nevertheless, that gained’t change …
E-mail on Acid will proceed offering entrepreneurs with a dependable approach to take a look at, preview, and optimize their emails earlier than hitting that ship button.
As a part of a a lot larger group with a holistic view of digital communications, we’re extraordinarily excited to seek out out the place issues are headed subsequent. So, keep tuned!
Creator: Kasey Steinbrinck
Kasey Steinbrinck is a Sr. Content material Advertising Supervisor for Sinch E-mail, which incorporates the manufacturers E-mail on Acid, InboxReady, Mailgun, and Mailjet. He understands how electronic mail and content material work hand-in-hand to create a powerful technique. Kasey has additionally frolicked working in conventional media, e-commerce advertising, and for a digital company.
Creator: Kasey Steinbrinck
Kasey Steinbrinck is a Sr. Content material Advertising Supervisor for Sinch E-mail, which incorporates the manufacturers E-mail on Acid, InboxReady, Mailgun, and Mailjet. He understands how electronic mail and content material work hand-in-hand to create a powerful technique. Kasey has additionally frolicked working in conventional media, e-commerce advertising, and for a digital company.
