Nestled in the heart of Austin, Texas, Waterloo Records & Video has been a cultural landmark since its founding in 1982. Born during Austin’s rise as the "Live Music Capital of the World," Waterloo quickly became a haven for music lovers, offering an unmatched selection of vinyl, CDs, and music videos. Despite the challenges of a shifting music industry, Waterloo has thrived by blending innovation with its deep-rooted passion for music, cementing its status as a beloved Austin institution. This article explores Waterloo’s journey, from its humble beginnings to its forward-thinking vision, and how it continues to shape Austin’s vibrant cultural landscape. Why is Waterloo Records Relocating? and where? Waterloo Records & Video, an Austin institution since 1982, is relocating from its long-standing location at 600 N Lamar Blvd to a larger space at 1105 N Lamar Blvd this spring due to the 2019 sale of its original property to Endeavor Real Estate Group for redevelopment into a mid-rise structure. This move, coupled with a transition to new ownership under Caren Kelleher of Gold Rush Vinyl and Trey Watson of Armadillo Records, ensures the store’s survival and growth in Austin’s evolving music scene. The new 50% larger location will modernize the Waterloo experience with innovative features, including a state-of-the-art stage for enhanced in-store performances and a standout gold record room. This unique room houses what Kelleher and Watson claim is the world’s only 24-karat gold record-plating machine, allowing customers to transform albums, like Aerosmith’s Rocks , into playable, gold-plated collectibles for around $100, with premium framing options available. Rare items, autographed albums, and vintage posters will be showcased in vibrant, Country Music Hall of Fame-style displays, making high-end merchandise more accessible and visually striking, elevating Waterloo’s role as a cultural hub . A Rich History Rooted in Austin’s Music Culture | Waterloo Records Waterloo Records & Video opened its doors on April 1, 1982, founded by Louis Karp and John Kunz, with a mission to celebrate music in all its forms. Located at 600A N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, the store became a cornerstone of Austin’s eclectic music scene, drawing locals and tourists alike. Its early years coincided with Austin’s growing reputation as a music hub, fueled by events like South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits (ACL). Waterloo’s shelves, stocked with everything from punk to jazz, reflected the city’s diverse tastes, while its knowledgeable staff fostered a welcoming vibe for music enthusiasts. t’s a cultural destination that embodies Austin’s artistic spirit. Beyond its extensive music collection, the store offers a curated selection of local art, books, and films, celebrating the city’s creative diversity. Collaborations with Austin artisans result in unique pop-up events, from vinyl art showcases to workshops, enriching the visitor experience. The store’s commitment to live music remains unmatched. Waterloo hosts regular in-store performances, showcasing both local talents and international stars. These events, often free, turn the shop into an intimate venue, strengthening ties with Austin’s music community. For visitors seeking authentic Austin experiences, Waterloo is a must-visit, as highlighted in Travel Austin’s guide to local attractions .

Cold emailing is a strategic tool for outreach, but its success hinges on deliverability, which is influenced by domain reputation and spam scores. Certain industries are more receptive to cold emails due to their engagement patterns, domain trust, and lower spam complaint rates. Based on average domain rating (DR), spam score trends, and the estimated difficulty of landing in the main inbox . Understanding Domain Rating and Spam Score When it Comes to Email Marketing. Below is a list of the top 10 industries best suited for cold emailing, selected from the provided categories and others based on their average DR, spam score, and inbox placement potential. Each includes an estimated difficulty rating (1-10, where 1 is easiest and 10 is hardest) for landing in the main inbox, considering engagement, domain trust, and spam filter sensitivity. Data is derived from general trends, as specific DR and spam score data for these industries is not publicly available but can be estimated based on SEO and email marketing insights. Easiest Industries for Cold Email Based on Average Domain Rating and Spam Score Medical Practitioners Average Domain Rating : ~60-80 (established practices have strong, trusted domains due to professional websites and backlinks from medical directories). Spam Score : Low (~5-10%), due to professional email use and high engagement. Why It’s Easy : Doctors and healthcare providers check emails regularly for partnerships, software solutions, or equipment offers, with open rates around 25-30%. Robust email authentication is common. Main Inbox Difficulty : 1 (Highly receptive to relevant healthcare tools or services). Real Estate Average Domain Rating : ~50-70 (real estate firms have solid online presence due to listings and local SEO). Spam Score : Moderate (~10-15%), as some agents use shared or less-secure domains. Why It’s Easy : Agents are accustomed to outreach for CRM software, marketing tools, or lead generation services, with open rates ~20-25%. Main Inbox Difficulty : 3 (Moderate due to occasional domain misuse by spammers). Legal Consultants Average Domain Rating : ~60-80 (law firms maintain high-authority domains with backlinks from legal directories). Spam Score : Low (~5-10%), due to strict email compliance and high engagement. Why It’s Easy : Lawyers engage with emails about case management, compliance tools, or networking, with low complaint rates (~0.05%). Main Inbox Difficulty : 2 (Easy, provided emails are professional and relevant). Dentists (DDS) Average Domain Rating: ~50-70 (dental practices have moderately strong domains from local SEO and professional listings). Spam Score : Low to Moderate (~8-12%), due to consistent email use but occasional shared domain issues. Why It’s Easy : Dentists respond well to emails about practice management software, dental equipment, or marketing services, with open rates ~20%. Main Inbox Difficulty : 3 (Moderate, as some practices use less-secure email systems). Home Remodeling Average Domain Rating : ~40-60 (remodeling businesses have moderate DR due to local SEO but fewer backlinks than larger industries). Spam Score : Moderate (~15-20%), as some contractors use generic email providers with weaker authentication. Why It’s Easy : Contractors are receptive to emails about lead generation, project management tools, or supplier partnerships, with open rates ~15-20%. Main Inbox Difficulty : 4 (Moderate, due to inconsistent email infrastructure). Dermatologists Average Domain Rating : ~55-75 (similar to medical practitioners, with strong domains from professional listings). Spam Score : Low (~5-10%), due to professional email practices. Why It’s Easy : Dermatologists engage with emails about skincare products, medical devices, or practice marketing, with high open rates (~25%). Main Inbox Difficulty : 2 (Easy, similar to medical practitioners). HVAC Average Domain Rating : ~40-60 (HVAC companies have moderate DR from local SEO and service directories). Spam Score : Moderate (~15-20%), due to varied email practices and occasional spam complaints. Why It’s Easy : HVAC businesses respond to emails about service software, equipment suppliers, or local marketing, with open rates ~15%. Main Inbox Difficulty : 5 (Moderate, due to inconsistent domain authentication). Optometrists Average Domain Rating : ~50-70 (optometry practices have solid DR from local SEO and healthcare directories). Spam Score : Low (~5-10%), due to professional email practices. Why It’s Easy : Optometrists respond to emails about vision care products, practice management, or marketing, with open rates ~20-25%. Main Inbox Difficulty : 2 (Easy, due to high engagement and trusted domains). Industries to Approach with Caution Lawyers (General) : While legal consultants are highly receptive, general lawyers (e.g., solo practitioners) may have lower DR (~40-60) and moderate spam scores (~15-20%) due to varied email practices. Inbox difficulty is ~5, as some lack robust authentication. Auto Mechanics : These businesses often have lower DR (~30-50) and higher spam scores (~20-25%) due to less sophisticated email systems and lower engagement (~10-15% open rates). Plastic Surgeons : While similar to dermatologists, plastic surgeons may have slightly higher spam scores (~10-15%) due to promotional email saturation in the industry. DR is ~55-75, with inbox difficulty ~4. Best Practices for Cold Emailing Authentication : Ensure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC are correctly configured to avoid spam filters. Personalization : Tailor emails to the recipient’s industry and pain points to boost engagement. List Hygiene : Use tools like NeverBounce to verify email addresses and reduce bounces. Warm-Up : Gradually increase email volume to build sender reputation, starting with 10-50 emails daily. Monitoring : Check blacklist status with MXToolbox and monitor deliverability with Google Postmaster Tools. Regularly monitor authentication with tools like Google Postmaster Tools to ensure ongoing compliance and detect issues early. Sending a high volume of cold emails from a new or rarely used domain can trigger spam filters, as ESPs view sudden spikes as suspicious. Blacklists may flag domains with aggressive sending patterns. How to Fix It Start Small : Begin with a low volume (e.g., 10-50 emails daily) and gradually increase over weeks. For example, send 50 emails in week one, 100 in week two, and so on. Engage Warm Contacts : Send initial emails to engaged contacts (e.g., existing subscribers) to build a positive sender reputation before targeting cold leads. Monitor Metrics : Use tools like MailTester to check your email deliverability and sender score. If blacklisted, reduce sending volume immediately and contact the blacklist for removal instructions. Your sender reputation, determined by factors like bounce rates, engagement, and spam complaints, directly affects deliverability. A poor reputation increases blacklist risks. What to Focus on: Encourage replies or actions (e.g., clicking links) to signal to ESPs that your emails are wanted.