Thank you for attending my session!

Below you will find a link to the slide deck,  my LinkedIn profile, and my calendar link if you want to talk one-on-one!

Here are the three key takeaways from the session. 

1. Validate your emails

Validating your email list is not optional. Every time you send to a fake, mistyped, or disposable address, you risk bounces and reputation damage. Email validation helps you stop bad addresses before they cause problems. Clean your list in bulk and use real-time API validation at the point of entry to catch typos and throwaway accounts. This protects your sender score, improves deliverability, and saves money by cutting wasted sends. Most marketers know they should do this, but too many still don’t. If you’re not validating your emails, you’re flying blind.

2. Set up authentication

Here’s a quick summary on email authentication and the key items to list:

Email authentication is crucial for protecting your brand and ensuring that your emails reach inboxes securely. By implementing SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and BIMI, you improve email deliverability, build trust with recipients, and reduce the chances of phishing or spoofing attacks.

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

Defines which mail servers are allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

Adds a digital signature to your emails, allowing recipients to verify that the email hasn’t been altered.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)

Aligns SPF and DKIM results to protect against unauthorized use of your domain. It also provides reports on email activity.

BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification) 

Enables your brand’s logo to appear alongside your authenticated emails, enhancing brand recognition and trust.

These practices improve deliverability, protect your reputation, and secure your emails.

For further information, head over to the Kickbox Blog to read this article. 

2. Manage your domain and IP reputation

our reputation determines whether emails land in the inbox or go to spam. It’s based on how people interact with your emails. Positive signals include opens, clicks, replies, and “not spam” feedback. Negative signals include spam complaints, unsubscribes, bounces, and silence. Ignored emails hurt you just as much as bad ones. Domain reputation is especially important because it follows you even if you switch platforms or IPs. Regularly clean your list, remove inactive contacts, and focus on sending to people who engage. Reputation is built over time and can be lost quickly. Guard it carefully.