How to do email warmup?

Email warmup is a structured process of gradually increasing the number of emails sent from a new or inactive account. It builds trust with email service providers (ESPs) and improves deliverability. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to effectively warm up an email account:

1. Authenticate your account

• Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain to establish legitimacy and ensure your emails are authenticated. This setup prevents issues like spoofing and phishing and strengthens your email’s reputation.
• You can verify your records using tools like MXToolbox and PowerDMARC.

2. Start with low send volumes

• Begin with 5-10 emails per day, then increase your volume by about 10-20% every few days. This prevents red flags from ESPs while building trust. Keep your initial emails conversational rather than promotional, focusing on content that encourages engagement.

3. Use engagement-driven emails

• ESPs look at user engagement (opens, clicks, replies) to assess trustworthiness. Encourage responses or interactions from recipients to build a positive sending reputation. These interactions signal to ESPs that your account provides valuable content.

4. Automate the warmup process

• Consider using an email warmup tool that automates gradual sending increases and manages engagement, simulating real interactions. This can save time and ensure a consistent, reliable warmup process. Tools like Warmup Inbox provide automation and analytics that support deliverability improvements during warmup.

5. Track key metrics

• Monitor click-through rates, bounce rates, and spam complaints. High bounce rates or spam flags could indicate deliverability issues, so use monitoring tools like Google Postmaster Tools to track your domain’s health.

6. Gradually scale volume

• Continue scaling your email volume by a modest 10-20% every few days, keeping an eye on deliverability metrics. Avoid sudden spikes to prevent being flagged as spam.

7. Maintain consistency post-warmup

• After the warmup period, continue with a steady sending schedule. Maintaining consistency is key to keeping your email reputation healthy over time.

Warming up an email account usually takes a few weeks but ensures your emails reach inboxes reliably.