7 Secrets to a Peaceful Email Campaign (c)
2003
by Craig Lilienthal, M.S.
The Internet is a seemingly unending world that's truly accessible to
anyone who has use of a computer with a modem and telephone service. Men,
women and children from every conceivable background search for knowledge,
fun, entertainment and even their fortunes on the Internet. Whether they're
excitedly awaiting a turn at the dingy, crowded kiosk, installed in a
wall as an experiment on the outskirts of town in a third world country,
or they're surfing from the comfort of their home office, the masses of
the world are booting up and logging on.
Like the world is logging on in record numbers, they're also registering
for access to use the most popular application on the Internet: email.
Anyone can get an account, by answering a few questions, and communicate
free of charge after clicking a small box that signifies they agree to
abide by a few simple rules, at the conclusion of the registration process.
Along their virtual journey they enter their email address in exchange
for free services and information; a free report here, a free ebook there
- a free trial subscription to whatever service. "Information on
how to make $30,000,000 in three days? Sure - why not? It's free!"
Eventually, the emails begin to pile up and now it's a nuisance for our
friend described above to keep his inbox clean. "How's anyone supposed
to get 'important' email in the midst of all this SPAM?" "This
must be why they put this 'Report Spam' button here in my inbox. Maybe
this will stop those pesky SPAMMERS!"
Now, after the complaint is filed, our friend here has already used whatever
service it was that he traded his contact information to receive, but
the headache for whoever he accused of "spamming" has just begun.
A chain reaction begins that can result in service denial, wasted time
and loss of income for the business in question, if they don't handle
the complaint correctly or if they can't verify that the complainer "opted-in."
The business owner, who pays for the services he receives, is on the
raw end of this scenario and sometimes even gets his services shut off
without the courtesy of a phone call!
Needless to say, email is a risky business regardless of whether you're
a conniving "spammer" lurking in the virtual shadows with your
email extractor and stealth mailer or you're an honest business paying
for your double opt-in leads and trying to make ends meet during a recession.
Previously, it was entirely too easy to send unsolicited commercial email,
but the current environment makes it entirely too easy for anyone to file
a meaningful "spam" complaint that causes very real and significant
setbacks for honest business owners.
To minimize risks associated with sending commercial email, entrepreneurs
that conduct business via email should consider these points:
1. NEVER harvest email addresses or buy those CDs with 50 billion "opt-in"
subscribers unless you like being stung by 50 billion hornets!
2. If you must purchase your email leads, get them from reputable lead
companies and FFA hosts. Do your research. If it sounds too good to be
true...it probably is.
3. Keep your promotional messages short and to the point. Provide a brief
description of what you have to offer and a link to your website.
4. Write a meaningful subject line. Don't trick me with a "payment
notice" or "Important Account Information." Deceptive subject
lines accomplish nothing, other than an elevation in my blood pressure.
5. Include a remove link that works. I'm going to be very upset if I
have to remove myself from your list, AGAIN!
6. Keep your disclaimer short and positive. The more you say here, the
more chances you have to tick me off. Don't threaten me with your disclaimer.
I'm more likely to act on a dare.
7. Don't be a pest. Risk increases with frequency. Two messages a day
is definitely "pushing it."
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Craig Lilienthal, M.S. is the author of "Advanced Marketing Training:
An Easy to Follow System for Building Multiple Streams of Residual Income."
Click below to download
your FREE copy. http://advancedmarketingtraining.com/
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