content content content

I think the next step to approach after you have determined your goals is to look at your content.

Take inventory of what you have that lines up with your goals. What can be repurposed? What can be leveraged from other campaigns, like a tradeshow?

Once you have your inventory, you can look how to map it to your goals. From that you can see where you have gaps and make a plan to fill them.

I think it is a good idea to have several emails in the pipe rather than pulling the trigger on the first one and then looking at what to do next.

Think about creating an editorial calendar to map out your content.

With these pieces in place you are well on your way to creating a successful campaign.

new email feed added

don't have an rss feeder?

don't want to keep checking this site to see if i have made an update?

now you can sign-up to receive this blog by email.

the form is on the right - just drop in your email address.

the service is called FeedBlitz.

what is FeedBlitz you ask?

FeedBlitz is a service that monitors blogs, RSS feeds and Web URLs to provide greater reach for feed publishers. FeedBlitz takes all the headache out of converting feed and blog updates into email digests, delivered daily to subscribers' inboxes. FeedBlitz manages subscriptions, circulation tracking, testing, and is compatible with all major blogging platforms and services such as Blogger, Typepad and FeedBurner.

FeedBlitz also enables end users to monitor any feed or blog, anonymously if they wish, regardless of whether the publisher of that feed is using FeedBlitz. FeedBlitz therefore provides a simple way for users to receive updates from their trusted sources using a familiar and ubiquitous medium - email.

email best practices??

a common question - what are the best practices for email marketing?

sadly, that is too broad of a question to answer in a short blog post and, i think, not the real question that is being asked...

i think the question is really, "i don't know where to begin - what should i do?"

to this, i do have an answer.

the first thing to do is to set your goals and objectives. it may sound too corporate, but if you don't know why you are sending emails, then how will you know if you are doing it well?

so, go ahead, ask yourself "why am i sending out emails?"

not always easy to answer.

now that you have that question answered. try the test question "does my audience care?"

if the answer is no, then you should re-think you goal. if the audience does not care about your goal then they will not help you to achieve it.

your goal needs to be win-win. if you are stumped on this one, try asking "how will email do this?" to your goal.

example:

Goal = Drive Revenue ( test: audience does not care )

how will email drive revenue?

answer: by letting prospects know about our latest products ( test: audience still does not care )

how?

answer: by compiling best practices, tips and case studies to help the customer maximize their return on investment using our product (test: now this has something in it for the audience )

eureka!! an objective that has meaning for you and your audience.

this process can take time and can require testing with some key clients, but this is the first step to implementing a successful email program.