Bulk Email Server Guide

Email Marketing is one of the most profitable ways of advertising and still have the biggest return of investment (ROI).

bulk email server

I am sending bulk emails and setting up bulk email servers for almost 15 years. Since at that time SendGrid, MailChimp, SendinBlue, etc weren't around yet I had to figure out how to send mass email to a bought/scraped list. Lucky for me I work in IT so setup and configuration weren't the problems.

The biggest problem was my job. Ok, I am not a very open person, but sitting alone in a server room with AC turned to minimum. It was killing me! I had to figure out a way to quit my well-paid job as fast as possible and bulk emailing was my way out.

In my years in email marketing business, I learned a lot. What is even more important is that after years and many tests I finally came up with a system that is easy to setup and use. A bulk email system with no rules and no limits.

Now I am making it available to you. The catch? You will set it up on your own.

Can You Do It?

Don't worry! I prepared an extended guide that will teach you and give you everything there is to know about bulk email systems, their setup and configuration. If you'll ever get stuck you can always use the FAQ or ask me for help. Both options are available in Members dashboard.

Of course, this is a bit harder than setting up a new email account in Outlook for your mom. To follow my guide you must have basic knowledge of Linux and how the Internet and email work in general.

I did my best to make this guide as informative and entertaining as a guide like this can be. The rest is up to you!

Will you follow my Bulk Email Server Guide?

About My Bulk Email System

bulk email guide

Did you notice I said "Bulk Email System" and not "Bulk Email Server"?

Yes, we are not talking about one server. We'll set up a network of email servers to ensure best possible deliverability, security and of course income.

My whole system is made out of two parts

The Main Server is the server where your Email Marketing Software (EMS) is installed. Since we are getting ready to set up a bulk email server with an option to scale it up if needed I recommend you pick a bit more powerful VPS for it.

MTA server is a server where PowerMTA is installed. These servers are doing all the sending. This is just one layer of protection to keep your MTA servers away from your Main server. In case there is ever a problem your main server will never be taken down since it's not doing any sending at all. MTA server can be any budget VPS with at least 1GB RAM. I am using cheap $2 servers for sending.

I've been in this business for almost 15 years and saw every possible scenario. Since the lists, I sent to aren't actually mine it is normal that from time to time my sending servers are taken down due to spam complaints.

Let's take a look at what happens when you have:

Everything on one server

You bought a super expensive VPS with 128GB RAM and 256 IPs. In case there is a problem you will lose everything and if you don't have a backup and let's be honest, most don't, you will be forced to start from scratch. Can you imagine all those hours of work lost? And guess what, all emails you already sent out and links in them will become useless. Maybe it's better to buy a gun, eh?

Another bad thing with setups like this is that usually, your IPs will come in a range. Why is this bad? When blacklistings will start rolling in they will simply blacklist your whole IP range and you are done. Bye, bye inbox!

Multi-Server Install

Now let's take a look what will happen in the same scenario, but this time with my setup. You got so many spam complaints that your VPS provider decides it's time to take you offline. Since all complaints are regarding one MTA only that server will be taken offline. Your Main server and other MTAs (which should be hosted on other account/providers) will keep working and continue sending emails.

You will have to setup a new sending server but by using my guide this shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes once you get used to the process.

Do you see the difference?

With single server setup, we were talking about buying a gun. With my setup, this is just a few clicks and a new sending server will be up and ready to start sending.

Of course, it is more work, but believe me, it is worth it. After your whole bulk email system is taken offline you will never sleep again. For me, meh, doesn't really affect me, a few clicks and it's back.

Software

Let's talk about the software we'll be using on our main server and on MTA servers. Believe me, in all these years I tried everything from Interspire Email Marketer, MailWizz, Mautic. Luckily the RIO in email marketing is so high I can afford all software licences for something I bought just to test and will actually never use. The Email Marketing Software I am using now is Mumara. And even tho I own not one but 4 licences, I am using a nulled version. Why? it's easier and cheaper for me as I have more than 4 installs of it and you can too.

On the Main server, we will use Mumara as an Email Marketing Application, but what exactly is Mumara? If you want to compare Mumara vs. Interspire Email Marketer lets say it like this. Mumara is Interspires younger, stronger and a lot more handsome (useful) brother. It's in active development and packed with so many features that will make your work easier and faster.

On MTA server we will, of course, use PowerMTA. PowerMTA provides unsurpassed reliability and delivery execution in a stable SMTP environment with granular connection controls. Superior message throughput simplified setup and configuration and real-time analysis.

Table of Content

Intro

A few words about server specifications and my suggested way to manage all your domains.

 

Main Server

The Main server is the server where your Email Marketing Software (EMS) such as Mumara, MailWizz, Interspire Email Marketer, ... is installed. Since we are getting ready to set up a bulk email server with an option to scale it up if needed I recommend you pick a bit more powerful VPS for it.

 

Sending/MTA Servers

MTA server is a server where PowerMTA is installed. These servers are doing all the sending. This is just one layer of protection to keep your MTA servers away from your Main server. In case there is ever a problem your main server will never be taken down since it's not doing any sending at all. MTA server can be any budget VPS with at least 1GB RAM.

 

Email Marketing Software Configuration

Important things that need to be done in Email Marketing Software we are using to make everything work as it should. Do take the time and go over Full EMS Guide. All EMS features are described and explained.

 

Connecting EMS to PowerMTA

The part where most people would give up, but hey if you followed my suggestion your Email Marketing Software will fully integrate with PowerMTA with just a few clicks.

 

Before you press SEND!

I know you are eager to start sending but please read these suggestions as they will help you with your deliverability and keep your Sender Score high.

 

Software

You can use any Email Marketing Software (EMS) (Interspire Email Marketer, MailWizz, Mautic, ...) on your Bulk Email System. If you are following my guide you already know by now that I suggest Mumara. More available in Members Dashboard.

  • Mumara PRO or ESP
  • PowerMTA
  • PowerMTA Management Console

 

Bonus

We all love free stuff! Here are a few bonuses that will help you with your new Bulk Email System.

So what's in the box, err, server?

Perfect System

  • Secure configuration based on Linux operating system
  • SSH access with full root access
  • SFTP access for easy file transfer
  • Webmail, POP3, IMAP and SMTP for postmaster, abuse, bounce, FBL, … emails
  • Automatic daily backups
  • Reverse DNS (rDNS) or PTR
  • Multi IP and domain/subdomain setup
  • Free SSL on all domains

Perfect Mail Server

  • Multi MTAs/SMTPs with smart queue (IP rotation)
  • Automatic bounce processing
  • Auto processing spam complaints with Feedback loops (FBL)
  • Valid DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) records
  • Valid Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records
  • Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC)
  • Automatic backoff rules in case of delivery problems
  • Custom ISP rules to ensure best delivery rates

Perfect Email Manager

  • Create and Manage Contact Lists
  • Create Email Campaigns
  • Stay Delegate with auto follow-ups
  • Spin the words within your email campaign(s) to avoid being spammed
  • Manage your lists with triggers for best conversions
  • Get best stats with split (A/B) tests
  • Keep your lists clean by filtering spam complaints and abusers
  • Mask your main domain with multiple remote domains
  • Use multiple MTA/SMTP for better emailing practice
  • Be informed when the reputation gets down
  • Create user groups and user accounts
  • Track real-time advanced statistics along with Geo Location

Perfect Monitoring

  • Server up time
  • SMTP up time
  • Blacklist

Seriously, What are You waiting for?

Start the Guide Now

 

ninjaBulk Email System Guide