Is Email Marketing Dead? -- WTF? Episode #22

WTF? is a daily web show for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to learn how to naturally attract customers and get the FAME and FORTUNE they deserve.

Viagra, Cialas, Canadian Pharmacies and an unbelievable stroke of luck with a business deal in Nigeria… all these can be found in your email box in a single morning. In this episode, Jim and Travis discuss whether or not email marketing is dead… kaput. We also respond to a viewer's email about the last WTF? episode we did on Newsletters vs. Email. You don't want to miss this for the shear fun of it. Plus, you'll discover some tips on improving the results of your small business marketing and email marketing efforts.

Comments

[Mile Hi Money guy]

Ouch!! WTF Guys? As one of the five people who get on your blog semi-regularly, I have now been promoted to a 25% "pull holder", thanks to "Editor" who I gather is gone after this low "ball" punch you delivered. Therefore, you better listen to what I have to say!! I'm 1/4th of what you've got left!!!!! That's 25%, Baby!!!

On the semi-serious side, WTF Guys? How about a polite response to someone who may not agree with you? What happened to agreeing to disagree without tossing "balls"? Just because "editor" is not your customer now does not mean "editor" will never be one....well, at least not until this episode of WTF? which has sealed that deal. Is that not one of the golden rules of marketing? Not to alienate potential customers? WTF????

[Joe Vizi]

Travis & Big Balls, Here is some feedback (actual numbers) for you that support your stand on direct mail newsletters. This year to date I have sent out 5 monthly newsletters to around 150 of my clients at a cost of around $1,065. Of these 750 newsletters I have booked 7 jobs to these clients at $1700 in sales, not a huge return but it is a positive one. The real benefit is that I have booked 6 additional jobs from referrals from my clients with these sales at about $900. Not to mention that I have had a handful of clients ask me to help them with making a newsletter for their business....think they'll remember me when they need my service?

In comparison, I have sent out the very same newsletter in email form to 2000 targeted people for 3 consecutive months, that's 6,000 emails, and just today had the first person on this list call me to get the "free" offer, no sales, just the free offer.

I don't know, maybe my numbers suck, but they are what they are...Jimmy and Travis, please help me decide, oh which one is working better....I don't know! (Sorry, you guy's are a bit contagious).

I'm not giving up on the email stuff, but I think that the time it takes to produce the whole email thing is better spent building relationships on line through FB & Twitter, afterall these avenues have at least produced actual clients for me.

So my suggestion is...stick with what works for you! But always be open to trying other things.

Joe Sleazy Vizi

[Tim Welch]

Hey Guys,
As one of the FIVE (Battlestar Galactica fans will get it) I feel honored to post. My inbox is so flooded with e-mails that it takes way too much time each day to sift through the crap. I now am an expert with the Delete button. Pretty simple. DELETE,DELETE,DELETE,............Carefull don't delete the important stuff. Oops!!!

Considering myself to be a little older, I like getting a offline (physical) letter in the mail once a month and so do my clients. Whose demographics are in the plus 60 years old. Cannot delete it. Oh I suppose I could through it away. I almost feel like a little kid getting a present and and look forward to opening it up and find out what kind of surprise (ie.value) is there this month. I can take it with me. Read it over a cup of coffee, lunch or whenever. Don't need to print it off either.

I think both have there place and do like Joe does. Check both out and test and see what works for you.

Happy Ground Hogs Day,
In Tim We Trust