Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) is a cloud-based platform trusted by developers and marketers to send high-volume, transactional, or marketing emails. When connected to Dance Studio Manager (DSM), SES offers a cost-effective and reliable way to send notifications, receipts, and mass email communications.

Why Use Amazon SES?

  • Low-cost: Just $0.10 per 1,000 emails (as of May 2025)
  • Scalable: Great for growing studios with high email volume
  • Reliable delivery: Designed to reach inboxes, not spam
  • Secure: Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for authentication

How to Connect DSM to Amazon SES

  1. Go to Amazon SES and sign in or create a free AWS account.
  2. In the SES dashboard, verify your sending email address or domain.
  3. Request production access so you can send real emails (not just test).
  4. Create SMTP credentials inside SES (you’ll get a username & password).
  5. In DSM, enter the SMTP settings:
    • SMTP Server: email-smtp.us-east-1.amazonaws.com
    • Port: 587 (TLS) or 465 (SSL)
    • Username: [your SMTP username]
    • Password: [your SMTP password]
    • From Email: A verified email or domain
  6. Send a test message from DSM to confirm it’s working.

Amazon SES Pricing (as of May 2025)

  • $0.10 per 1,000 emails sent
  • $0.12 per GB of attachments
  • 3,000 free emails/month for the first 12 months (AWS Free Tier)

SES is also flexible—offering optional features like dedicated IPs and deliverability monitoring for larger senders. For the latest prices, visit the Amazon SES Pricing Page.

Tips for Deliverability

  • ✅ Use SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
  • ✅ Monitor bounce and complaint rates
  • ✅ Keep your contact list clean and up to date

Need help Setting this up?

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How much does Amazon SES cost?

As of May 2025, Amazon SES costs $0.10 per 1,000 emails and $0.12 per GB of attachments. New AWS users can send up to 3,000 emails per month for free during their first year.

Is domain verification required with Amazon SES?

Yes. You’ll need to verify your domain or sending email and optionally add SPF and DKIM records for improved deliverability.

How do I integrate Amazon SES with DSM?

Simply generate SMTP credentials in your AWS dashboard and enter them into DSM’s SMTP settings page. You can test the connection instantly.

What happens if I exceed my email limits?

Amazon SES does not block your account for sending too many emails, but you’ll be billed for any usage beyond the free tier. You can also request a higher sending limit.