CONTENTS:
1.
Fear of Spam provides opportunity to develop a competitive advantage
2. Spire2
Spotlight: Kane County education material that will surprise you.
3. SpamSoap: Get rid of your spam [first_name]
Fear
of Spam provides opportunity to develop a competitive advantage
Many
marketers think email marketing will be perceived as Spam and
will offend customers. Seems like a legitimate concern, and
it will stop many of your competitors from using it.
The truth is, by following a few simple rules your customers and prospects will be delighted to receive your information, and you'll have a head start in building loyalty and increasing interaction with customers. When your competitors see what you are doing and mimic it, they will be viewed as copycats – there is your competitive advantage.
The few simple rules:
1. |
Explicit Permission: Don't add anyone unless they personally sign up or you have asked them directly (I recommend following up with an email that reminds them they gave you permission before sending something). |
| 2. | Provide value: Don't just send out an advertisement or a brochure. You might get initial results, but people will quickly ignore your emails. Give your audience ideas, resources -- something of value. |
| 3. | Make it personal: Email is thought of as personal, so email marketing also should be personal. My own goal -- if I sign up a stranger today, I want them to feel like they are getting to know me after a few emails. |
Waiting for the right time to start? I am offering 1/3 off my E-broadcaster setup charge ($100) for the first person who asks for it by November 2.
Spire2 Spotlight
 |
Kane County Regional Board of Education asked Spire2 to help them develop a strategy and materials to make more teachers aware of their new portal and the technology they have available. Since releasing the new brochure just a few weeks ago, they have had more than 600 registrations.
Click on image to see more.
Get rid of Spam: My interest in SpamSoap began when I researched how spam filtering affected legitimate emailers. SpamSoap is amazing at blocking spam. I receive a couple of spams a week -- tops-- and it has only blocked one legitimate email since I started in July. If you only have a few users, contact Ben at ForgetComputers. They offer the best price on SpamSoap, along with a 30-day free trial so the risks are low.
Recent Inspire newsletters: Vol 2: No.2, Vol 2: No.3, Vol2: No.4
[first name] I recently had lunch with a friend and a marketing “lightbulb” went on. We both have three-year-old sons and I was explaining the elaborate process my wife and I go through to minimize the work of changing bed sheets after an accident (if you are in that stage email me and I will be glad to share - it works great). He was quite impressed and it surprised me to realize that I have developed an expertise in this art (although I am not thinking of adding it to my capabilities). The point is, I meet many people who claim they don't know anything about marketing their business. If you have the least bit of passion about your job and have been doing it for a while, you do know a lot – give yourself some credit. My marketing experience has shown me that what I do best is draw out what is already known, provide a big picture view, and assist people in aiming for marketing goals so they’ll know if they’re getting anywhere with their efforts. Best, P.S.
My richest thanks to all who have provided inspiration
and work! I am humbly grateful and honored to know
and work with great people. |
