🔐 Top Authentication Hacks for Email Success

Hey, it’s Ray.

Here’s a truth most brands don’t realize: you can write the best emails in the world, but if your authentication isn’t set up right, they’ll never land in the inbox.

Email authentication isn’t glamorous, but it’s the backbone of deliverability. 

Without it, your emails risk going straight to spam or worse, never getting delivered at all.

The good news? Setting it up doesn’t have to be complicated. 

Let me walk through the 3 authentication hacks you should have dialed in right now.

1. SPF – Approve Your Senders

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) tells inboxes which servers are allowed to send emails from your domain.

➡️ Add all your sending platforms (Klaviyo, Shopify, help desk, etc.).
➡️ Avoid “+all”, it leaves you wide open to spoofing.
➡️ Run a quick SPF test to confirm it’s working.

2. DKIM – Seal Your Emails

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) puts a digital signature on your emails so inbox providers know they’re legit.

➡️ Enable DKIM for every email platform you use.
➡️ Use 2048-bit keys for maximum security.
➡️ Make sure your “from” address and DKIM domain match.

3. DMARC – Take Full Control

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) ties SPF + DKIM together and tells inboxes what to do when an email fails.

➡️ Start with “p=none” to monitor.
➡️ Then move to “p=quarantine” or “p=reject” to block fakes.
➡️ Review DMARC reports to catch abuse.

Why This Matters

Email providers like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft now require authentication for senders. If your domain isn’t set up with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, your emails are far more likely to land in spam or get blocked.

With these in place, inboxes know your messages are real and safe. 

That means:

• ✅ More emails delivered to the inbox

• ✅ Higher open and click rates

• ✅ Stronger protection against spoofing and phishing

In short: authentication keeps your emails trusted, visible, and revenue-driving.

Your Next Step

If your authentication isn’t dialed in, every campaign you send is at risk, no matter how good the subject line, design, or offer.

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are the invisible guardrails that make sure your emails get delivered, your customers trust you, and your brand stays safe from spoofing.

Think about it: you spend time and money driving traffic, building flows, and crafting content. 

But without proper authentication, all of that effort can vanish into spam.

Don’t let technical gaps hold back your growth. Secure your domain. 

Protect your revenue. Build a foundation for long-term success.

Cheers,
Raymond Chen
Founder & CEO, 11 Agency

More Ways to Level Up Your Email Game 

Q4 is here, and with BFCM and the holidays right around the corner, your email marketing has to be dialed in. 

Every click, every open, and every flow can mean the difference between hitting record revenue or leaving money on the table. 

Here’s how I can help you maximize Q4: 

Done-for-You Email Strategy: If you’re ready to scale but don’t have the time, I’ll build out a complete email system designed to capture more revenue, convert more customers, and keep sales flowing through the holidays. Book a call with me here. 

Free Resource: Not ready to commit just yet? Grab my FREE 10-page KPI audit and 128-point health scorecard, a proven toolkit to quickly optimize your email performance before BFCM. Get it here!

More Ways to Level Up Your Email Game

If you’re up about boosting your email game, I’ve got a few more gems for you:

📺 Check Out My YouTube Tutorial

Want to design high-converting emails that look amazing and drive results? 

In my YouTube video, I walk you through how I use Figma for Klaviyo to create emails that don’t just look good, they convert. 👉 Watch it here!

📝 Stay Ahead with 2025’s Email Marketing Trends

Not sure what’s working in email marketing right now? You’re not alone. Many brands play it safe until they see what’s actually driving results.

We’ve broken down the biggest email marketing trends for 2025, so you can stay ahead, boost engagement, and drive more revenue. Want to know what’s working?

👉 Read my blog here: Email Marketing Trends in 2025 That Will Show Results

💡 Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
I share daily email marketing tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and strategies that actually work. If you’re looking for extra value beyond this newsletter, let’s connect!👉  Follow me here.