Update: Benchmark Email autoresponder does not allow the "make money online" niche
Well folks, here I go again!
After less than 2 months and only about 10 subscribers and email campaigns sent, my account with Benchmark Email was terminated!
Here is the email I got:
Jul 1, 23:32 PDT:
Dear Dennis,
We have checked your account and found that you hav been sending an email content that we do not support. Due to this very reason your Benchmark Email account has been terminated for now.
I regret to inform you that we are unable to provide you services any more.
Sincerely,
For those of you that are not familiar with my story, I had tried with Mailchimp in the spring and was terminated there too for the same reasons: https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/email-marketing/mailchimp-ha...
The reason behind my choosing Benchmark Email was that I could grow my subsciber's list up to 2000 before I would have to start paying a monthly fee, actually this was the same reasoning I had with Mailchimp.
Also, I was told by one of Benchmark Email's agent that if I had a opt-in form with a promised product I should have been within their rules... I did this and they still terminated me!
To be honnest, I actually found their interface and layout quite complicated and NOT user friendly, but since it was free, I worked around it and didn't mind too much.
Now, it's time to face the music and resign myself to start paying from the very start.
I guess it's the only way!
Now it's back to the drawing board and trying to choose which one has the best value for the money.
I know that big names like Aweber, GetResponse and Convertkit will allow my niche, so I just have to do some reasearch as to which one suits me best!
Any other suggestions people?
Recent Comments
62
Yes, I try to warn people about this. MailChimp is a great autoresponder, but just not for affiliate marketers. I wrote this article really because I wanted marketers to know that MailChimp will shut down their email account find when they see you are an affiliate marketer. So, pass the word!
https://momstrustedaffiliate.com/what-is-the-best-free-auto-responder
Yeah, That is one of the messages I want to share here...Free is only free if you are NOT in the Make Money Online niche!
Sorry to hear that Denis.
I was with free account with Mailchimp before they blocked my account. Do you think they would take the same action should you a paid member?
Thank you for sharing. At least we know what to do and what's not.
Let's move on...
:)
Joe
I think that the "make money online" niche has got so many scams going around that some of those autoresponders has put everyone in the same boat unfortunately for us...
Like you say, let's move on!
Yes, they would Joe. If you take a look at the article link I gave above it includes the section of MailChimp's TOS and affiliate marketing is specifically shown in their list of prohibited sites. They rank us there with pornography!!
Isn't it insulting to us, we have a legitimate platform here, not just some hyped-up scam!
I agree with you because we are a legitimate business and there is nothing scandalous about being an affiliate marketer. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of marketers in the past that have not been honest and transparent to their customers and have given affiliate marketing a bad reputation. I also wrote about that too. That is why it is so important that we are honest in everything we do and hopefully one day it will no longer be stigmatized.
https://momstrustedaffiliate.com/how-to-get-rid-of-a-bad-reputation
That makes a lot sense. I think that's how they have control over their business operation. It does not make business sense to go after each culprits in the industry. As the saying goes "a bad apple spoils the barrel".
Thanks for the info Verna.
Good that you found out now. I know someone who had a pretty large mailing list and was doing well using MailChimp, but then out of nowhere they just dumped her, It really left her in a lurch! I like MailChimp for the autoresponder and the price is right, FREE! However, I'm not willing to take a chance for a later disruption down the road that could have a massive negative effect on my business.
Yes, I'm really disappointed as I already pay Mailchimp as I have a decent list - so small minded. Don't they realise ultimately many businesses are teaching people how to grow their business, therefore, make money? So do they ban business coaches too? Apologies, the 'rant' is not directed at you... just a tad disappointed that I have to move everything somewhere else (again).
Yep... unfortunately if you don't they will come out of nowhere and dump you because you promote making money online. They have done it in the past...you should not take any chances...
Thanks that's really helpful and appreciate you sharing - I am sharing aweber and getresponse as we speak... very clunky introductions to their businesses but am moving forward
Far out... mail chimp just lost a customer 3 of their no lists are 3 of my business:
Work from home, make money online, and lead generation opportunities
Multi-level marketing
Affiliate marketing
I am very grateful I read your post - I had no idea I've been using them for years.... at the moment aweber appears to have an more user friendly interface than get response (well for my brain anyway)
Thanks for the names, I will check out Aweber, GetResponse and Covvertkit.
Take care Denis!
frank
really silly idea - what about using a newsletter plugin ( Email Subscribers & Newsletters) and keeping your own list and sending out your own emails etc- this way you have complete control - within the realms of plugins!
i have added this to one of my sites but have no subscribers.
every one seems to go for autoresponder services but i feel that keeping your own list would be better
phil
there is a gdpr plugin to keep it compliant https://www.icegram.com/documentation/es-gdpr-how-to-enable-consent-checkbox-in-the-subscription-form/
Building an email list and using an auto responder service to do so isn’t a silly idea at all. You mention that you feel that keeping your own list and sending out your own emails would be better. Auto responders keep your own list and send out your own emails, they just do it automatically. That’s the whole point :)
Hi Phil,
Nice of you to share this!
Actually, I think it's a great idea, especially when you only have a small list!
I will definitely look into this! Thanks!
Got a good point there Eric!
It's just so darn expensive for something so small (like my humble little list).
My plan was to build a list first then pay for the autoresponder, not the other way around. I guess it doesn't work that way for the Make money online niche...
so does the plugin - you create the information and when to send it but under your control - your rules!!
i know that autoresponders do this automatically, but why pay for something when you can do it yourself.
I feel for you, I finally decided to sign up with Aweber because of just this - the black-listed words that MailChimp doesn't allow. Anything about making money, or work from home, or affiliate marketing will doom you. - Shirley
MailChimp, Mailerlite and pretty much any other autoresponder that gives you free access from the start don't allow the make money online niche!
Hi Dennis, you can also check out Mailerlite. I hear good things about them. Currently I am using MailChimp without issues and have no problems yet.
The same problem with Mailerlite unfortunately, already checked.
If you are not in the make money online niche you are fine. My other website is set up with Mailerlite and the niche is meditation...
I did not have any problems yet, but like this niche, I only have a small list yet, so I'm not really the "go-to" guy. :)
There are many autoresponders on the market. I have been with Aweber for several years now and have rarely had any problems.
Derek
I will definitely check out Aweber, they have a free month trial, which is ok!
Thanks Derek!
Sorry to hear that Dennis.
Yes, many autoresponders are a pain. The big 3 that you have mentioned all have their place. I have used Getresponse (not Aweber) but Convertkit gets my vote.
One of my mentors who spends thousands on email marketing changed from Aweber to Convertkit as he found their deliverability far better.
I must admit I do get very good open rates with Convertkit as the attached screenshot shows from a small list of mine.
All the best in your quest for the right fit for you
Jon and Debbie
Thanks there Jon and Debbie!
That is exactly the kind of response I was looking for! It will make my final decision a lot easier!
All the best to you guys too!
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If you are using optins or landing pages, Sendlane is a good option. They have an optin page builder & autoresponder all in one system (and more).
They charge based on email subscribers. It was specifically built for people in our industry - building email lists in the make money online niches.
Doubt very much they will cancel your account. They may still have a free trial.
Sendlane, yeah! that is one of Anik Signal's programs. I will definitely check it out. Thanks!
That's true. He is having a special on this week at Lurn. com . Its free to join but once inside there are courses that folks have an option of paying for.
Some courses are FREE and this week he has some on special for as little as $5.00. I don't want to get distracted so I didn't join any of the new courses, but it is a great deal.
Been following him for a couple of years myself.
He's got some very legit and proven methods. The only reason I did not join his program was the price. l followed a few of his webinars and he gives great free info. But to get the "juice" someone had to dish out $1000. Or $990.
Fortunately I found WA not long after that...and I never looked back. :)
Yeah, I hear you it's a lot of money upfront. Me too, focusing on WA is enough for me.
Good luck with your search for an autoresponder!