From the Editor:

Something look different this month? In honour of our subject (and unending display problems), I decided to actually edit our email template - a task I always put off in hope that we were going to overhaul our design. In the process, I removed a bunch of the insanity (style tags? What is this, 2010?), chopped everything down to a slightly more sane 600px width and dropped our font size a touch. Is it perfect? Far from it, but it's the first baby steps towards getting this thing looking pretty.

So this February, we're running down our list of email marketing know how, including building permission based mailing lists, creating a better user experience and writing headlines that get more clicks.

And don't forget, coming in March, we're having our first run of Internet Marketing Essentials courses, including Michael Strakers The Art and Science of Persuasive Design. Sign up now to learn how persuasive design can keep and convert your viewers.

Size Matters: 12 ways to grow your email opt-in list

Is your email list large enough to be effective? Avoid feelings of list inadequacy by growing your opt-in list. DavidF tells you 12 inuendo filled ways to increase your list size, and reach more customers.

It always has to start with permission. If you're in most of the western world, it's required by law (though not for us backwards Canucks), and for good reason: campaigns not based on permission annoy your audience, hurt your response rates and can keep your emails from ever making it into the inbox. In this post, KentC explains why and how not attaining permission can hurt your campaign.

Little Know CAN-SPAM Compliance Issues: The McCain Amendment

John McCain might not be too savvy with email, but his amendments to CAN-SPAM managed to close several major loopholes that allowed vendors to sneak around the law by having someone else send the email for them. David F explains the details and significance of these amendments.

7 ways to avoid being an "Accidental Spammer"

Even with the best of intentions, poor email etiquette can get you marked as junk. KentC explains how 7 bad practices can get your email marketing marked as junk, and hurt your ability to deliver email.

Coupon codes are a mainstay of cross-channel marketing, but why are we still using them in email marketing? Michael Straker argues that coupon codes actually hinder the user experience, and that customer satisfaction--and sales--can be improved simply by using links intelligently.

From the Net:
Email Marketing Subject Line Comparison

What's the best subject line? Is it the one that has a number in it? Is it the one that tries to create urgency by expressing limited supply? In some cases, the best headline is the most boring headline, as Mailchimp's Study of Best and Worst Open Rates shows.