As a writer, I would love to say to you that all it takes to get your customer to buy is to use the right words. Of course, there is an element of truth in this; the right words do make an impact.
But…
The words are immaterial if the customer does not READ them.
In today’s over saturated media-rich world, everyone knows a little bit about marketing. And anyone who’s watched the hit TV show, Mad Men, runs the risk of becoming an instant marketing guru. I’m kidding about the guru, of course. I do want to ask you to think for a moment about what it takes to get YOUR attention. Think about the last time a magazine ad stopped you from turning the page, or better yet, caused you to turn back to that page for a second look.
Was it a burst of color or your favorite color? Was it a picture? Was it a graphic? Was it a really cool or unusual effect with text?
I can tell you what it was not. It wasn’t the actual content on the page. The written word must be read, absorbed, and comprehended before it grabs attention. So why is it that some people think that a plain-text e-mail marketing campaign is effective?
The professional Mad Men know better. All of those snazzy and downright pretty emails that show up in your e-mail box from the ‘big boys’ resemble a magazine page for a reason.
- Directed communication.
- Graphically Appealing.
- Easily understood.
Are your marketing e-mails fitting that description? With HTML, your email can look great and deliver results measurable in dollars gained. And HTML e-mail will still likely be the smallest expense in your marketing budget.
“Four out of 10 marketers reported that their email budgets in 2010 would increase” according to a December 2009 survey. A survey of retailers found that 88 percent list “e-mail as a high priority” for their marketing. Studies from the Direct Marketing Association predicted that spending on e-mail marketing in the USA would increase to $700 million in 2009.
If you are in business and you are not using the graphic enhancements that HTML e-mail gives to your e-mail marketing campaigns, then you are missing out on a truly cost-effective and potentially profitable tool.
One of the services WritingBytes offers is to create and implement HTML e-mail marketing campaigns. The package rate for HTML E-mail is $997 and I’ve been told by clients who value their time highly that it’s a bargain. And yet, I get questions—lots of questions—from other clients. Smaller clients. Start-up clients. Clients who also value their time highly but can’t yet afford to pay a professional to do what they can do themselves—with a bit of training.
Your questions have led to the creation of a course. It’s in two parts, the first for free. The Sexy HTML E-Mail Teleseminar will be held on Sept 29, Wednesday at 2 pm (Eastern US Time). It is free to all and I encourage anyone who is interested to register even if the time is inconvenient. I will be sending out the recording to anyone who registers. Following the tele-seminar there will be 8 hours of webinar delivered e-course learning available to a limited number of participants.
To learn more about using HTML to get the results you need and want from your e-mail marketing, click here to register today for this FREE tele-seminar. And if you don’t think the tele-seminar is for you, then please share the link with someone you know who can benefit.
