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Email Marketing: They Just Don’t Get It

March 17, 2011 By 4 Comments

Hi Everyone

In Adelaide South Australia, where I live, Living Social has grabbed a huge slice slice of the daily discount email ‘market’.

This is where you can receive an offer from them for a company allowing you buy a product or service at a heavily discounted price.

In the States this market is dominated by Groupon and other like companies as well as Living Social.

Now for the recipient of these emails it is wonderful to use and try a service at a very reasonable fee.  Supposedly at discounts which can be up to 30%-60% off depending on the company offering the service or product.

BUT and it is a big BUT…

businesses are still not using this marketing method wisely.

For instance; I bought into a local pasta meal deal a few weeks back.

When collected the owner complained about how much money they were losing on the 1000 deals they sold.

No attempt was made to get my details to keep selling to me.  Just complaints came her mouth.

In another transaction, an Indian meal (we call them takeaways here not takeouts) seemed to get it right when they asked if I would like to join their email list.

“We send out weekly specials.” I was told.

Hmmm…

“Why not?”  I replied.

That was a month ago. No emails have been forthcoming.

The fact is these discount offers do play a part in a businesses’ marketing mix

BUT…

only if they are a part of a larger marketing strategy.

Use this method of gaining new clients wisely – don’t be caught up that it is just cashflow.

Continually discounting ones goods and services is not a great business model.

Believe in Yourself
Kurt

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing: Do you send in Text or HTML format?

February 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

I have been in some interesting discussions recently over whether to send out marketing emails in HTML or TEXT.

It seems the big push these days, coming from the Internet Marketers, is to send in TEXT.

The reason behind this would be deliverability.  By sending out emails in TEXT format the belief is you have a greater chance of getting your email delivered and not caught up in Spam Filters.

My research and experience (I have sent thousands of legitimate marketing emails) reveals using only the TEXT method is fraught with danger.

Sure you could entice them direct to a web page quickly if they know you but to be really honest and upfront I have discovered 98.9%  of people (yeah OK I made that stat up) read their emails via HTML.

In fact the statistic would be even higher if I really calculated it.

You see…

I have the ability in my program I use to send email messages in TEXT and HTML at the same time and view which format a recipient opens them in.

And…

Almost everyone reads my emails in HTML.

What this allows me to do is to send emails with pictures/images inserted.

It allows me to add my face to the email in the signature line which helps build trust.

It forces me not to treat the recipient as a child because I ALLOW them to choose which format they will read their email in.

With the advent of many emails being read via mobile phones, a carefully inserted and constructed picture header can also increase the read of your email.

So my advice is not to dictate to your customer the experience in which they are about to obtain.

Allow them to choose to view your picture/images or not and send your emails in both HTML & TEXT formats.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing: I dont know what to say.

February 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

I had a client tell me, “I know I should be contacting my customers but I don’t know what to say.”  “I am a retailer, not a marketer.”

I looked at her puzzled and replied, “Aren’t you both?”

You see it’s not about being one or the other.  It’s about having an ongoing conversation with your customers to enable them to understand and stay informed how you can help them.

The problem my client had was she wasn’t thinking, “How can I help my customers?”

She was thinking, “How can I sell  my products?”

But really even if your thoughts are purely into sales let me help with a method I employ to generate ideas.

The First Point is always decide what the end result is.

You need to know where you are going with your marketing.

You need to have an end point and it needs to measurable.

Let me explain.

The purpose of an email marketing campaign is to achieve something.  I mean really have an end in mind.

Stephen Covey wrote 15 years ago “Begin with the end in mind”.

Once you have decided what the end is you can work backwards.

Here’s a tool which will help.

It’s a Step Diagram.

The Step Diagram enables me to place logical and  sequential milestones in place to achieve the desired end result.

Here’s  my diagram to show you of the process to undertake.

Step Diagram

Step Diagram

Place the target you wish to achieve at the top and then place how you are going to get there on the steps.  I call these steps milestones.

Once you have completed the milestones you can complete the Actions required to get there.

I created the Step Diagram many years ago from my studies of Strategy Formulation.

It can used in everyday life or in the work place.

I use it to help my clients strategise their email marketing campaigns.

You can do this too.

You don’t need anything fancy, just a pen and blank piece of paper will suffice.

Let’s use the Step Diagram with a real campaign.  We just had Valentine’s Day so if we use this as an example.

The End In Mind would be a Valentine’s Day Offer.  It could be something on February 14th or it could a whole week of celebrations.

At the top of the Step Diagram goes “Valentine’s Day Offer”

But try to be specific.  What are you offering?

Then along the steps (milestones) you write down what you could say in say 3-5 different email messages before Valentine’s Day.

Email One could be an Introductory Email.  i.e.  Valentines day is only a month away.  Start planing a surprise for your loved one NOW.

Email Two would be on the next step moving closer towards Valentine’s Day.  It may be about, “Time to start really thinking – ONLY three weeks away.”  And offer some ideas of presents to buy; etc.

Do you get the point?

My client can do all this.  She just didn’t have a TOOL to do it with.

But now she has.

And so do you.

What is your next big day, event, moment in your business?

Start planning your email campaigns well in advance.

I like 3-5 emails in mine but have also gone as many as 7.  It just depends on the lead time and the size of the event.

Hope this helps so you never again say, “I don’t know what to say.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing: “My Top 4 Products of 2010″

December 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

Start 2011 off with a BANG.

bang flag.gif

While many businesses tend to go into the ‘Great Australian Shutdown’
about this time of year, it becomes a fantastic opportunity for you to
get thinking about how to hit the ground running in 2011.

And I’d like to help.

During 2010 I tried many products and services and
here are my Top 4.

When used as prescribed any one of these products will bring you
more success in 2011 than you had this year.

And wouldn’t that be a delight.

These products are not in order, they are in a logical sequence
to me.  And yes, a couple of them may offer me a reward if you
choose to use them but that is not the reason I am recommending them.

I am recommending them because they deliver great value.

Product Recommendation One:
Pete Godfrey’s – Emotional Ad Writing and Marketing Newsletter.

Grab a 12 month subscription for $347.00. http://www.emotionaladwritingletter.com/

PLUS…ADDED BONUSES

Pete is offering everyone who takes out a 12 month subscription
to his monthly newsletter a whopping $2283.00 worth of bonuses;
plus a copy of his Emotional Ad Writing System valued
at $997 for free. That’s a total of $3280.00 FREE.

But you must hurry Pete’s offer expires Thursday 30th December 2010.

Pete Godfrey’s teachings are a must for anyone serious about getting
the right words on page to persuade and convince your customers
to buy.

Grab it here: http://www.emotionaladwritingletter.com/


Product Recommendation Two:
Once you know how to write your sales letters and ads; you will need an email marketing system to send them out with.

The program I use, trust and recommend to all my clients is SMART EMAIL. http://budurl.com/SmartEmailSystem

Plus as an added bonus which I include.

If you sign up for Smart Email I will personally help and guide
you in how to use the system. Total value of this deal is $597.00

With Smart Email you will not be left on your own to work it out.
I am only an email or a phone call away.

You can take a look at Smart Email here: http://budurl.com/SmartEmailSystem

Product Recommendation Three:
Once you have learnt the art of copywriting and have the
technical side covered to send out your emails you can then
move onto learning more visual techniques of marketing.

My good friends Pam and Steve Brossman are the leaders in
Video Marketing in Australia.

Their training in this field is professional and top shelf.
They have put together a fabulous Video Marketing Course which is
jammed packed full of info, helpful ideas and HOW TO’s.

Their Fast Video Results course http://budurl.com/EmailVideoProfits
is so amazing you will be shedding that old cocoon of 2010 and
metamorphosing into a beautiful marketing butterfly.

I undertook this course in 2010 and was gobsmacked on how they divulged
and shared secrets which most marketers would vehemently shield.

The video marketing course is self-paced which allows you to
download all lessons and also allows you to complete in your time
over and over again if you need.

They are also only an email away to help.

Take a look at Pam and Steve Brossman’s Fast Video Results course
here: http://budurl.com/EmailVideoProfits

Product Recommendation Four:
This last product takes a different slant from external marketing like the
first three products.

This product deals with the internal policies and procedures to help you
manage staff and legislations.

Ingrid Cliff of Heart Harmony has produced a remarkable quick, easy-
how-to guide of Human Resource Templates. http://budurl.com/hrmanual

It is kept up to date with the latest laws on Human Resource Management and is an absolute must have for any business person.

The comprehensive employee handbook contains templates which are simply customisable for your company.

In less than 30 minutes you will have easy to understand and up-to-date
People Management Policies and Procedures covering everything from hiring through to termination.

And soon to be added will be the new Paternity Laws of which all owners of
this manual will be given the latest updates for free.

Ingrid includes a massive $720.00 worth of bonuses.

So there you go ,these are my 4 Top Products of 2010.

1. Pete Godfrey’s Emotional Ad Writing and Marketing Newsletter Pack:
http://www.emotionaladwritingletter.com/

2. Smart Email – The Email Sending Program I thoroughly recommend:
http://budurl.com/SmartEmailSystem

3. Pam and Steve Brossman’s Fast Video Marketing Course:
http://budurl.com/EmailVideoProfits

4. Ingrid Cliff’s HR Manual containing customisable policy & procedure templates:
http://budurl.com/hrmanual

All of these have the POWER to help you catapult to lofty heights in 2011.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing – Beware About Emailing Frequency

December 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

A question I am continually asked is, “How often should I email my clients?”

The answer is a resounding, “It depends.” 

Because…

It does.

All client lists and relationships are different.

But let me help you with a more strategic answer here.

To suddenly increase the frequency of emails to attract short-term sales could be counter productive.

Create a yearly email marketing strategy.

However, in saying this…

Christmas time brings up an ideal opportunity to increase email frequency.

Why?

Because people are looking to spend money somewhere on someone. 
So why shouldn’t it be with you?

There are 10 shopping days left for Christmas.  Create an email marketing plan to send out a minimum of 5 emails during this time offering a fabulous deal on your products or services.

You will be so glad you did.

Plus…

They will be used to seeing you in their inbox which means you have created an awareness with them to send emails more frequently next year.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing: This is the Email Marketing Software I Recommend.

November 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

I am pleased to recommend to you Smart Email.

Smart Email

Smart Email

Smart Email is THE software I recommend to all my clients and associates because of its:

•    ease of use;
•    accessibility, no matter where you are;
•    storage of unlimited contacts names, addresses and information;
•    ability to create customised templates, forms and messages;
•    autoresponder capabilities enabling you to send emails
even whilst you are asleep;
•    ability to create customer surveys;  and
•    real-time statistics;

PLUS…

it’s one of the most affordable and cost effective programs on the market.

Smart Email is the complete comprehensive email marketing software for you.

And…

everyone who becomes my client will be personally instructed and trained
on how to use Smart Email by me.  This training can be for up to two hours (valued at $597).

Email Marketing is the best and most affordable way to keep in contact
with your customers and I thoroughly recommend Smart Email to help
do this for you.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing – Killer Tips 6 & 7

September 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

Here are the Killer Tips 6 & 7 in my series of Email Marketing – How to Make Money Using Email.

Cheer and Great Selling
Kurt

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing – Position #2

August 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

Somebody called me today and asked, “What do I know about Email Marketing”.

I said, “Just a TAD.”  “What do you need?”

They asked if I could provide any evidence.  The usual testimonials came to mind and then I thought.  Maybe  a picture would help.

It worked.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt

"Position #2 out of 257,000,000 6th Aug 2010"

"Position #2 out of 257,000,000 6th Aug 2010"

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing – Let Me Help Video

July 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

Let me help you with your email marketing.

Click  SmartEmail to be taken to the program.

Click:   Natasha Burfield’s Testimonial to view Natasha’s Testimonial.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt

PS:  The SMART EMAIL program is HERE:

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Email Marketing: How To Get Your Emails Noticed.

July 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hi Everyone

This week I talk about getting your emails noticed.

The first part of an email a recipient reads is the ‘From Line”.

You have a few choices what to use here, including:

* Your company name: (i.e. Johansen International);

* Your name: (i.e. Kurt Johansen);

* The position name of someone in your business: (i.e. CEO – Johansen International);

* The email loyalty program name: (VIP Club – Johansen International); OR

* your name and a description of your services: (i.e. Kurt Johansen – Email Mastery).

The choice should be based on what you think most recipients are likely to recognize.

Your first and last name is quite a useful relationship building technique but it must be recognisable to your recipients.

If you are sending to a list of people who know you and are expecting your emails then you may use your names successfully. i.e Kurt Johansen.

This particular ‘FROM’ technique works especially well for small businesses who have a personal relationship with their clients.

But…

If you are sending to a list as an employee or from a business where the business name is primarily known then it may be wise to use the business name. i.e. Johansen International.

Whatever you choose be consistent.  If you change, it may confuse your recipients which could lead to ‘unsubscribes’.

Please DO NOT use “sales@abccompany”, or “admin@abccompany” etc. as these will not help build a relationship with your lists.

Also keep in mind many emails are now read on mobile phones. Therefore it also pays to get your ‘FROM’ line identified early. i.e “Kurt Johansen – Email Mastery” rather than “Email Mastery – Kurt Johansen”;

An often overlooked element of the FROM line is a person’s email address. Try to avoid using ‘Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail addresses if you email market. Use your email address. i.e kurt@johanseninternational.com.au

Your real address will render a more personal touch when it comes to email marketing.  If you do not wish people to reply to the FROM email address (as it is your personal email address) this can be organised.

Email Marketing programs allow you to program where the return/reply email should be directed to.

So, make sure you have your FROM line correctly set up if you wish to succeed in Email Marketing.  If you need help contact me. We can get you into a professional Email Marketing system for only $49.50 per month.

Click http://budurl.com/EmailProfits to view.

PLUS…

When you come on board I will throw in 2 one-hour training sessions (valued at $500) from me – absolutely FREE.

Yes, I will walk you through how to use the system to best affect and how to get the most out of your email marketing for FREE when you sign up at http://budurl.com/EmailProfits

Take a look NOW. Click http://budurl.com/EmailProfits to view.

Cheers and Great Selling
Kurt
Kurt Johansen
Email Marketing Strategist

PS: Act straight away – CONTACT ME. You need to start email marketing NOW.

PPS: We can get you started for as little as $49.50 per month. Click http://budurl.com/EmailProfits to view.

Filed Under: Business Strategy, Email Marketing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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