Is your department interested in getting a competitive edge in recruiting top scholars? Would you like an easier way to contact all students interested in your department at the same time for application process updates or program information? Do you find yourself answering the same questions for prospective students several times during each admission cycle? Then Talisma may be the answer for you!
The Office of Graduate Studies sponsored a workshop led by Michelle Howell Smith and Seth Meranda that focused on how graduate support staff can effectively use Talisma, UNL's automated email system for communicating with groups of prospective students.
What Grad Studies provides
- A strong "from" field entry
- Effective lead generation
- Email design to navigate through SPAM filters
- Professional, toolbox-based visual design
- Automated timing
- Updated strategies based of industry SPAM regulations
Workshop Materials
Talisma Presentation (PPT)Effective HTML Email Tips
- Include keywords in the subject and opening sentence
- Grab attention immediately
- Carefully choose words to avoid SPAM filters (don't use words like "free" or "Viagra")
- Get to the point
- Your message has 0.2 seconds to grab attention. Strong photographs will help; large amounts of text will hinder
- The amount of text for an effective email is 1/3 the amount of text used in a letter - Avoid gimmicky language
- Refrain from salesman-like approach
- The most clear and factual information will produce the best results - Present a call to action
- Go to this URL
- Respond to this message
- Apply now - Take users to the page they want
- The link in the email should support the text around it
- Avoid unnecessary searches - Write for readability
- Use lists and bullet points
- Single space after sentence
- If necessary, use headings - Don't send attachments
- Remember that not everyone appreciates HTML in their email
- Some prefer plain text for reasons of privacy or efficiency
- Some email software supports only plain text
