When communicating with my downline, is it best to use the SFI email utility or my own email? What is the most effective?

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19 votes
Emma Bowens, Aff (Georgia, US) Forum Guru 11/8/2012 1:03 am
Affiliate since: 10/23/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Emma's 23 other Ask SC answers
SFI has a great mailer system which I think it is better than using a personal/business email account. Emails are confirmed so one does not have to worry about bouncing emails or being accused of spamming.
13 votes
, () Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 1:25 am
Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999
It is not always possible to use SFI email utility. If you computer cannot copy and paste a long letter given by SFI, you have to send it through your own e/mail system.
Use SFI e/mail utility only for your short letters once a week.
13 votes
Lobo Clark, Aff (Arkansas, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 1:41 am
Affiliate since: 05/15/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Lobo's 21 other Ask SC answers
Without a doubt, I feel neither way is the best, but they are a 2nd and 3rd. I feel the absolute best way to communicate is by using a system that allows video or Instant messaging, OR both. What better form of communication is there than face-to-face? You can see facial expressions, and body language. It is much easier to convey a message; which can easily be lost in text.

The SFI messaging system is great for sending out email to your downline and must be approved which comes in
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11 votes
Lali Mwachanya, Aff (Namibia) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 4:34 am
Affiliate since: 08/24/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Lali's 68 other Ask SC answers
SFI email utility of course has those listed advantages, 30 vpees a week and the fact that you send one email to a group of affiliates with one shot. Nevertheless the fact is, affiliates have the ability of not reading these mails that you send through this utility. My recommendation is not even personal email is sufficient. Try other means as well such as skype, messenger chatting from different mail providers and most effective of all sm eses or calls from your cellular phone.
10 votes
Ronilo Saguit, Aff (Philippines) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 1:52 am
Affiliate since: 08/06/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Ronilo's 408 other Ask SC answers
When you see them logging in in SFI it best to use the SFI messaging system. But if you dont see them then use email outside SFI. You can find when was the last time the person logged in from your genealogy sorting and filtering facilities.
10 votes
George McBride, Aff (New hampshire, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 3:16 am
Affiliate since: 09/26/2012, Power Rank: 590 | Read George's 87 other Ask SC answers
I agree with many of the thing said already. But to summarize:
1. SFI email should be whitelisted (so shoud your email but never sure) so it is more likely to get through with out being trashed as spam.
2. Personal email allows links. I often send new people links to get them qualified quickly.
3. New people know how their own email works but may not be looking at the mail link in SFI.
4. I use email to build personal connection, personal information. I use team mail for specific
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10 votes
Victoria Mineva, Aff (Bulgaria) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 12:19 am
Affiliate since: 06/01/2011, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Victoria's 124 other Ask SC answers
For Team mails I use SFI e-mail. I used CSA mail to say "Welcome" to my new assigned CSA and I used my PSA e-mail to recognize my active PSA, but for the moment I stopped using them. For me the best results came when using my own e-mail. People feel special, like they are for me, this way. I also make mini trainings for my team members every Sunday using my personal business mail.So, regarding you question - I use SFI e-mails and my own. I believe that the two ways are effective in different
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10 votes
Michael Banana, Aff (United Kingdom) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 12:57 am
Affiliate since: 10/04/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Michael's 10 other Ask SC answers
I tend to use both. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules. However I foresee a situation where I will rely more on the group mailer as my downline grows. This should help manage my time more effectively.
9 votes
Richard Jensen, Aff (Colorado, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/7/2012 10:46 pm
Affiliate since: 10/20/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Richard's 45 other Ask SC answers
Personally, I hate canned email from autoresponders. However, well writtnen emails with application of a personal touch certainly has merit. It is far more likely to have a personal response.

Having a stored personal introduction and ending can accomplish the personal aspect very well. Finally, do a comparison test between SFI prepared message and your own short personal message and see if the results differ. Certainly, prompt. to the point,
personal concern will always return the
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9 votes
Jeannette Gerrard, Aff (District of columbia, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2012 11:54 am
Affiliate since: 11/13/2001, Power Rank: 84 | Read Jeannette's 241 other Ask SC answers
For the most part, I use the PSA Mailer, the CSA Mailer and the Genealogy Mailer and the Affiliate Snapshot. These are excellent ways to communicate with your downline because you don't have to worry about undeliverable Email addresses or affiliates who may have opted out. The messages also go to the affiliates' email addresses. This is a real win-win situation for everyone and makes life easier when you have thousands of affiliates on your team. I only use regular email when I have a message
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