fixoutlook.org : The power of user voice

HTML email is a pain - its like time traveling to 1999 where tables and antiquated techniques were used. And Microsoft Outlook 2010 isn’t helping. In fact, they’re a major barrier to progress in the area of basic web and email standards. And the fuel for (25k+) twitter users @ fixoutlook.org - a terrific visual display of user voice if you haven’t seen it.

Campaign Monitor and Newism created the petition on twitter to display their passion for quality, generate buzz for their own products, and ultimately help shape the space they (and their customers) work in. I like Campaign Monitor and use it myself. Their template tool and interface work awesome for sends, automation, and tracking - here’s one of our latest emails for The Brand Show for an example: http://bit.ly/SWemail

Last week Campaign Monitor received a package and personal letter from Microsoft in response to fixoutlook.org. Some say this is evidence the petition worked, Campaign Monitor says it was a ‘ brilliant result’. But the truth is, the results are still up in the air. Yes, the mosaic has generated a response from Microsoft (they posted it in their hallway). Yet, a letter that states that standards are something we’re ‘considering for the future’ isn’t necessarily a commitment to change. Or admitting that there’s obviously an issue.

Overall the power of user voice is clear; even a huge corporation like Microsoft has to listen to a community like fixoutlook.org. Another testimony to how the tables are turning to more customer control and less top down corporate driven decision. Because regardless of Microsoft’s final response, not listening will damage reputation and open doors for competition to innovate and seize the consumer need.