Question: I want to start sending an e-mail newsletter - now what?
Answer: The best thing to do is give us a call! The initial consultation is free so we can go over all the things you need to know and price your project to see if it is something that can work for you!

Question: So who prepares my newsletter and graphics once I'm ready to send out a new issue?
Answer: Two Options** : If you are comfortable using the admin interface tool online, you can create your newsletter yourself. All clients receive a password and unique login to their account.
** Please know that our goal at DelphicMedia is to empower the artist and small business owner, to feel comfortable with the concept of marketing your unique skills to the widest possible audience. To that end, we are happy to guide you through the newsletter production process so that you can get your message out without depending on anyone else - even us! But we completely understand that in many cases, you will be just too pressed for time and will want us to handle the whole thing and we are happy to do that!

Question: Will I always have access to my subscriber list?
Answer: Absolutely! You will be able to access your newsletter and stats online at any time. And we encourage you to download your subscriber base a few weeks after every "send" and keep a copy on file.

Question: Can my designer provide you with an original design and images?
Answer: Yes! They can email images/jpgs/tiffs/pdfs - and we'll work it all in.

Question: I don't have a designer and I have no idea how I want this thing to look - can you guys take care of that?
Answer: Absolutely! This is the part we like the best!

Question: I'm really not so good at all this technical online stuff - can we meet and discuss?
Answer: Yes! That's what we're here for! Initial consultations are free [an hour of our time will only cost you one café au lait!]. So if you just want to understand the process and how much you can expect to spend - by all means contact us!

And incidentally, if we do meet, bring any promotional materials you may have already - you don't have to be married to them: photos, postcards, business cards, flyers, etc. Look at the e-mail newsletters of other arts groups or actors/businesses/producers and make note of your favorites.

Question: I would like to use video clips in my newsletter - can we do that?
Answer: Unfortunately, no - not at this time. However, you can host your clip and we can provide a link to it from within the newsletter. We can discuss options for posting your video clip online - Actors Access for instance is one great place that industry knows about and checks out and YouTube - though I hate to refer to it -- can provide you with a free place to post videos. We can discuss all these options.

Question: So how much is it to start my e-mail newsletter?
Answer: There is a one-time investment of $150.00 which includes the initial design and set up fee [importing contacts for your subscriber list if you have one, setting up your sign up page and script at your website - if you have one - implementing logos and all design concepts along with two rounds of revisions and actual e-newsletter distribution] After that, you pay Constant Contact - our Partner E-Newsletter vendor, according to how much mail you send out and whether or not we continue to prepare your newsletter. See Pricing.

Question: I don't have a website - can you build that for me?
Answer: Well...yes. We can build websites - this one is a case in point - but, the true purpose of DelphicMedia is to gently guide performers and creatives toward a consistent marketing strategy that they are able to maintain. We can direct you to some terrific people who do great websites. We are big fans of WordPress - a great free blog and weblog tool - check it out here http://wordpress.com/. Also, CastingNetworks http://www.nycasting.com/ny_home.asp now offers templated websites for actors that are only $5.00 a month. if you add up the cost of paying a hosting domain and then the cost of paying someone to build your website, you'll quickly see that this is one good cheap alternative.
See our Resources Area. [ We can also help you with set up of these blogs for a fee]. Of course, there are distinct advantages to having your own domain and if you want to go that route, then lets meet and discuss!

Which leads me to another great marketing strategy - swapping your newsletter sign up script with another website/newsletter that is aligned with your interests.

Question: So how do I check to see if my newsletter campaign is ready and I didn't forget anything?
Answer: If we prepare your newsletter campaign for you we will be in direct communication throughout the process. This includes a "test" send of the campaign so that you and your team can double check all copy and make sure links and images are correct. You will have two rounds of revisions so it is best to have a really good speller on board to lend a hand. We will often make suggestions about online copy and recommend edits for clarity.

Question: So, how long will the newsletter thing take from beginning to end?
Answer: Newsletter production itself is not usually a lengthy process and really depends on the amount of preparation you have put into your newsletter. If you have prepared clean copy-edited content - and by that we mean, you are satisfied with what you are submitting and have already double checked the spelling of everyone's name and - for instance - the name of the theatre and you are providing the correct directions to your theatre, so that patrons will not end up in Toronto, unless of course your production is in Toronto - then, it should be very easy to add images and prepare your newsletter campaign for it's final destination - your subscribers. If on the other hand, you have numerous copy errors and information is incorrect and we have to back up and revise many times - which incidentally could mean a revision of the template ... then you may run into delays. Ideally the better prepared you are the smoother production will go and you could probably get out a campaign in less than a day!

If it's not covered here, please contact us with questions at info@delphicmedia.com