USA Dance
 
Kalamazoo Dance
www.KalamazooDance.org
dance@KalamazooDance.org
 
June, 2008
 
Dancing Buddies Email Promotions Guidelines

Dancing Buddies is a mass email distribution system developed to alert dancers in southwest Michigan about dance events or lessons of possible interest to them.  The Dancing Buddies email service is provided by USA Dance volunteers to grow interest in ballroom, Latin, swing and country partner dancing while creating a cohesive dance community.   The email ads from advertisers and promotions from certain nonprofit organizations are distributed to a secure permission based list consisting of hundreds of dancers from southwest Michigan.   
 
In November of 2005, USA Dance transitioned to a new email software program that allows for the distribution of a digest format email (multiple ads/promotions in one email) with enhanced features that benefit the advertiser:
·         Colorful eye catching and easy to read email increases the “open and read rate”
·         Professional presentation of email ads/promotions
·         Enhanced email delivery i.e. subscriptions with major ISPs and increased deliverability through spam filters, etc.
 
USA Dance will normally distribute one or two email digests per month.
 
Effective January 1, 2006 the Dancing Buddies email rates will be as follows: 
 
·         $10 per ad of 100 or less words   
·         $100 for 12 prepaid ads of 100 or less words
·         $5 to add image to ad (image to be provided in electronic format by advertiser)
 
Advertisers with prepaid packages purchased in 2005 will automatically be transferred to the new service without additional cost until their 2005 prepaid email package is exhausted.  
 
Guidelines for advertisers using Dancing Buddies Email Promotions:
 
1.        Limit each ad/promotion to 100 words or less.
2.        Include a website link to assist in reducing details/words in the email promotion.
3.        Focus ad/promotion content on dance events and dance lessons.
4.        Limit of two ads/promotions per dance organizer/studio per digest.
5.        Submit ad/promotion via email in 10 – 12 point font.
6.        To assist with the timely release of your promotion, submit it 7-10 days prior to the month of desired distribution to the Dancing Buddies list.
7.	Avoid submitting ads/promotions for dance events whose schedule conflicts with a Kalamazoo Dance event.  Kalamazoo Dance events are posted at www.KalamazooDance.org.

You can also produce a coupon for the newsletter. Instructions are as follows:

1)	Give a title for your coupon such as a percentage off here.

 Example: Save $2 off this month’s dance!
 
2)  If you are using a special coupon or promo code, include it here. Or, indicate if the coupon must be printed and presented in person. Is the coupon transferable? If so, encourage recipients to share the offer with friends and family to maximize the effect of the coupon. Don’t forget to identify your studio or dance.
 
Example: Present this coupon at this month’s Thursday night dances at <your name here> and get $2 off the regular price of $8.
 
3)	Give an expiration date here. 

Example: Expires 31 October.

Need more information, please send an email to dance@KalamazooDance.org
 
To pay for Dancing Buddies email, mail a check made payable to USA Dance to:
Don Decker, 10343 West RS Ave., Mattawan MI  49071.