[epub] Re: ESP Differentiator

["Paul Myers" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> What is the #1 thing that differentiates the
> average ESP (Email Service Provider) from a
> top dog ESP?

I'm going to assume from that that, by ESP, you mean list host 
as opposed to generic email service provider. The latter 
includes people like Hotmail and Yahoo...


> How high of a factor does Email Deliverability factor in?

Very, to the extent that the responsibility for delivery is 
applicable to the provider. I think a lot of publishers fail 
to consider that they have at least as much control over what 
gets delivered (outside of the blocklisting factor) as their 
provider.


> How high does ease of use for the non-techie factor in?

Personally: Not an issue. I'm still comfortable with command 
prompts. I *am* a stickler for good documentation, though.


> How high does self service tools vs. full service human
> support factor in?

Why are these in opposition? I consider them separately.


> Would you take an easy to use interface over poor
> deliverability?

With the caveat above: No.


> Would you tolerate a poor interface to achieve excellent
> deliveries?

Assuming it was properly documented and worked well behind the 
scenes, yup. In a heartbeat.

It should be noted that I've been running lists for 10 years, 
and the first three of those I only had the option of text 
interfaces. My opinions on this aren't really a good indicator 
of how people newer to the game would think.


Paul