Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

I’ve been accused of writing about things “we all already know”…or, “Well, of course, Mary – you’re writing for (sniff) those ‘Mom & Pop’ micro businesses who don’t know any better.” (I also don’t think email is “dead” – but that’s another post.)

But, hold on a minute. Most of the emails caught in my spam folders are from BIG companies, who should know better. After all, they have staffs of supposedly savvy, big brain marketers. Yet, Saks Fifth Avenue, among many others, was happily spamming away this past holiday season (and, I can’t recall the last time I bought anything there…it was at least 10 years ago at the Saks in NYC…)

So – here’s a quick reminder list of things “we all should know” about email:

If I didn’t ask for it – I don’t want it. Just because I sat next to you at the lunch meeting today doesn’t mean I want or need your eletter…or that I’m interested in your cause or business. (And, before you send anything to anybody – check them out a bit. For example, I get emails promising to help me learn marketing. Of course, I don’t know everything but the title on my biz card, “marketing troubleshooter” should be some kinda clue I’m not a prime prospect for marketing 101 help.)

If I don’t know the sender, I’ll likely delete it unopened. And, I may well report it as spam. (If it looks like spam, it is spam.)

Don’t waste time designing a spiffy attachment - it may not even make it through the spam filter, much less get opened. Tell me what you want me to know (and do) IN the email. Then allow me to respond to you.

If you’re spending time trying to figure out how to get around a spam filter…you probably shouldn’t be sending the email.

Remember the BCC. When sending out an email to a lot of people, put their emails in the BCC, so their addresses aren’t blasted out to the world. (You can set up an alias in your address book for the “To.” For example, “Mary’s Sanity Check Seminar.”)

Don’t assume the other person got the email, much less read it if it doesn’t bounce back. If it’s really important, call them.

P.S. Some of the smartest, most innovative businesses are those (sniff) “Mom & Pops.” And, it’s typically the M&P shops who are at the forefront of web development and emarketing…

P.P.S. If you get an email with Fw: Fw: Re: Re: purporting to tell you great, scary and/or secret things about kidney thieves, parking lot muggers, or space aliens…it’s likely not true…;-)

Related Posts:
Everyone Knows (Not)
Email Marketing: Can Isn’t The Same As Do