Continuity Programs has compiled the top frequently asked questions we have received over the years. The questions and answers are below. If you have any question that is not listed, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Are customer names used/sold to other companies for marketing/sales purposes? Absolutely not. For further details, see our privacy statement.

What is EMPOWER and how can it help me? CPI’s online database management system. Features of EMPOWER include:

• Continuity Programs will collect, clean, organize, and maintain your customer database
• You will have easy 24/7 access and control of your database management system
• Ability to update your personal profile as well as customer data
• Enroll new customers and order marketing campaigns
• Search customer data
• View lead generation and customer tracking reports online

How do we send our database(s) of customer records to CPI? You have several options. Choose the one that’s right for you.

• Your company exports all customer records and e-mails a spreadsheet to CPI
• CPI can provide a spreadsheet that you can fill in and e-mail
• Upload your list through EMPOWER
• Enter each customer into EMPOWER
• Fax or mail paper documents to CPI. CPI can convert your paper database to electronic for an additional fee

What e-mail address should we send our database / record(s) to? operations@continuityprograms.com

Can my direct line/cell number be printed on the mailings and e-mails? Yes. If you would rather have your customers calling your cell phone or direct line instead of the general office number, we can set that up in your profile.

Can the messages on the mailings be changed? Yes, one of the best features of the program is that your company has the ability to adapt and adjust the messages and designs on most of the mailings to fit your company’s needs and/or a changing market.

Can our company logo be added to the mailings and e-mails? Yes, we can set up your high resolution company logo in our system and it will be prominently displayed on all your mailings and e-mails. Logos should be sized to fit into a 2.5 inch wide by 1 inch tall box at 300 dpi. They should be saved in CMYK color mode and saved as a JPEG.

Can my professional headshot photo be added to the mailings and e-mails? Yes, we can set up your picture to be printed on your mailings and displayed on your e-mails. Photos should be sized or cropped to 1.14 inches wide by 1.6 inches tall at 300 dpi. They should be saved in CMYK color mode and saved as a JPEG.

How long do your programs last for?

• eConnections is a subscription-based e-mail marketing program that continues indefinitely, and could last forever, if you so choose.
• The most popular Connections Programs for realty, mortgage, financial advisors, and HVAC/R industries run for 5 years.
• The cross-media Connections Programs with E-Alerts range from 1 – 7 years. Real estate and mortgage companies are requesting 7-year programs more often.
• The CrossWise Programs for community banks and credit unions usually last 2 years and the programs are extendable.
• All customer retention and lead generation programs are extendable upon completion.
• Continuity Programs can customize the program duration to fit your budget and needs.

Can a company or marketing department supply their own artwork and designs? Yes, of course!

• Most credit unions and banks will only use materials in their brand image.
• Many companies supply their own designs or request us to design custom materials for their brand image.
• Continuity Programs has very talented graphic designers on staff and quick turnarounds.
• Various program themes with many different options are available, but many companies will design a custom series in their brand image.

Do you have programs that are paid as you go?

• Yes, our CrossWise Programs are available in monthly budget-friendly payments, very popular with banks and credit unions.
• Most of our clients prefer to pay up front, because the can pay for the multiple-year program when they get paid, and the funds are easily available.

What is SurroundMail? SurroundMail and SurroundMail Plus are direct mail prospecting programs targeting neighbors of your recent customer and have credibility for a better response rate (500%-1,000% better than blanket mail programs). You choose the quantity of neighbors to target. Continuity Programs develops the mailing list using rooftop radius technology. SurroundMail includes jumbo postcards and SurroundMail Plus includes tri-fold mailers with postage-paid customer response cards.

What are examples of SurroundMail?

• We just installed a furnace or air conditioner in your neighbor’s home.
• Your neighbor just got a new car from our dealership.
• I was able to refinance your neighbor’s home with a 4.25% mortgage.
• Your neighbor just got a 2.25% interest rate on their car loan. You can join our Credit Union and get the same kind of rates!
• We just opened a new location, our open house is on Saturday from 1:00-4:00 PM.
• Just Listed
• Just Sold
• Just Closed

Can the property photo be included on “Just Closed”, “Just Listed” or “Just Sold” SurroundMail campaigns? Yes! The property photo can be sent in with the order, or uploaded if you are placing the order through EMPOWER, our private web portal.

Can I enroll my past customers? Absolutely! We have four ReConnect mail programs that are designed for past customers you haven’t been in contact with for a while. These are abbreviated, yet economical, options for your past customer database. Also, our eConnections e-mail marketing campaign is a fantastic option for your entire database of past customers.

What if eConnections e-mails to my customers bounce or are undeliverable? Undeliverable and bounced e-mail addresses will be flagged in EMPOWER. You have the option of updating your customer records with alternate e-mail addresses at any time.

What happens with customers that unsubscribe from my e-mail campaign? Your company will be notified by CPI of any customers who voluntarily unsubscribe. You will need to update your records with this information.

If my customer unsubscribes, are they still counted as a customer in the eConnections Program? Yes. We will keep them in your database for ClientTracker Purchase Leads (for the mortgage industry) and NCOA updates (for all industries).

How can I keep in touch with my customers that have invalid e-mail addresses or those that unsubscribe from eConnections? CPI offers other lead generating options in print format so you will never lose touch with them.