8 Tips To Avoid Spam Filters

Spam filters decipher the severity of your incoming emails using a point system according to the content of the message. If a message has enough red flags to cross a certain points threshold, off to the spam folder it goes. Don't let your important emails languish in the recipient's junk-mail folder. Avoid these red-flag items:

1. Don't use sales-y phrases like "once in a lifetime opportunity," "huge discounts," or "buy now."

2. Use! exclamation! points! sparingly!

3. Don't cut-and-paste HTML from a Word document into an email. Word uses rather sloppy HTML coding, which spam filters hate. If you need to copy text from a Word document, paste it into a text editor like Wordpad or Notepad first, which will remove the HTML that Word automatically inserts.

4. Don't use the word "test" in the subject line. While this usually isn't enough in and of itself to flag a message as spam, it might be enough to push it over the scoring threshold if the message has other red flags.

5. Do not write in ALL CAPS. IT'S A BREACH OF EMAIL ETTIQUETTE AND A DEAD GIVEAWAY FOR SPAMMERS.

6. Avoid colored fonts--especially bright greens, yellows, and reds.

7. Don't send HTML emails that consist only of an image with little or no text.

8. Avoid sending an email to several recipients within the same organization. Again, this is something that, by itself, might not trigger the spam filter, but it could if combined with other red flags.

Make Sure Your E-Mail Marketing is in Compliance

If your business uses email marketing, it is important to make sure you are following FTC laws that are in compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Most of these seem straightforward and are things you do normally, but it is good to know what the legalities are.

• Make sure your subject line accurately represents the message content.
• Similarly, make sure all the “From” and “To” fields are filled out accurately.
• Anyone who receives the email should have the option to unsubscribe that is valid for 30 days upon receipt.
• It is required to include a postal mailing address.
• If you use a third-party mass mailing service, double check their messages are in compliance as well.

How to Handle Professional Relationships on Facebook

If you are receiving Facebook friend requests from colleagues or customers, you may be hesitant to accept. Generally, denying or ignoring requests may seem like you are snubbing them, but fortunately there are a few ways to alleviate this.

Create Lists

Click on your list of friends and hit the “Create List” button. Name the list “Colleagues” for instance. Add the friends you would like to this list and you can edit the privacy settings for it. You can decide what parts of your profile you want them to see.

Create a Business Facebook Page

Making a page for your business is a good idea so that customers can become a fan and will likely do this instead of requesting a friendship with your personal page.

Suggest Using a Different Network

Another option is to tell the customer/colleague that you aren’t an avid Facebook user, and suggest that they find you on a more professional site, such as Linked In.

Hide Your Profile

As a last resort, you can enable a setting so that your profile will not turn up in search results for those who aren’t already your Facebook friends. In order to hide your profile, go to Privacy Settings - View Settings - Connecting on Facebook - Search for you on Facebook - Friends Only. While this may limit the amount of personal friend requests you receive as well, it will be an effective way to prevent unwanted requests.

We hope that you find these tips helpful! Become a fan of our Facebook business page as well!

AT&T 1,000 Free Rollover Minutes

It has been verified by AT&T that this offer is indeed true. If you are currently on an AT&T cell phone plan, you can get 1,000 FREE rollover minutes with just a single text.

Send the text YES to 11113020 for 1,000 free rollover minutes.

This offer expires March 31 and it has been said that it was originally aimed at iPhone users but they then extended it to all AT&T customers.

Here is the confirmation that you receive after you send your text: “Thank you for accepting our free 1000 bonus Rollover minute offer. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing.”

So text YES now and get your 1,000 Free Rollover Minutes!!

PMP Workshop Announcement

PMP and CMIT Solutions Present:

Workplace Privacy - Policies, Procedures, and IT Security

Date: Thursday, April 7 from 8:30am - 11:30am

Place: The Conference Center, North Shore Atrium
6800 Jericho Turnpike, Syosset, NY 11791

Cost: $30 per person (includes continental breakfast)

Registration: http://www.pmphr.com/documents/PMPevents.html

Attention business owners, IT managers, HR practitioners, CFO's and accountants! Do you sometimes worry that the increased use of technology in the workplace could lead to privacy issues and possibly compromise sensitive information? This workshop will address these concerns and provide you with valuable ways to secure your data and monitor your employees in a safe way! Rachel Cartwright (PMP) and Armando D'Accordo (CMIT Solutions) will discuss all the HR policies you should be aware of and the tools available to keep your technology and data safe!

Easily Manage Your Social Media

With the various social networks these days (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.), it can seem tedious and overwhelming to keep them all updated. In order to help alleviate this, there are free applications available that can singlehandedly manage all the social media platforms. These applications will consolidate the networks so you don’t have to log into and update each individually. Examples of these programs include Seesmic, Digsby, and TweetDeck.

Many programs also allow for collaboration and various permission rights. It can be set so that any employee can post, but only one has administration privileges. If the free programs don’t fit your needs, both Socialite and HootSuite are reasonably priced media managers.

Are You Due for a Hardware Upgrade?

Are you possibly considering new or updated hardware? Can’t decide if you should commit? CMIT has compiled the top five signs that it’s time to invest in a hardware upgrade.

• You are frequently troubleshooting your network, which inhibits your company’s productivity. New hardware can definitely result in less downtime.
• Everything seems to take way longer than they should. This is usually caused when hardware is near capacity.
• Data starts disappearing. This is usually the case for faulty hard drives that needs replacing.
• The manufacturer no longer supports the hardware you have. A product’s support cycle usually lasts a few years, and keeping hardware past this timeframe may leave you more vulnerable to attacks.
• If your equipment is making a lot of noise, this is probably because it has collected dust and debris that stops the fan from working properly.

If you are experiencing some of these problems, give CMIT a call and we can help assess your equipment and collectively decide if it is time for an upgrade!