e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

[Kevin Robb]

Many of us subscribe to a range of newsletters and gain various things from them.

Now most of us don't want the newsletter to be a pitch fest...that is no news and all ads, so what do you look for?

Do you want just plain solid information or do you want the editors personality to shine through as well...Does knowing more about the editor add to their credibilty?

Im curious as to what you all think.

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[Steve MacLellan]

Hi Kevin,

There are very few email newsletters I receive anymore. Many of the turned into a pitch fest, and not that I mind a few ads, but when the whole newsletter becomes one big ad... that's a little too much. I find by subscribing to blogs is a good alternative.

If the blog becomes a pitch fest, then it is easy to remove it from the RSS feed reader. Sometimes it is almost impossible to get off some marketers lists. I eventually had to set filters and block their emails. Between spammers and those marketers who take your email address hostage I have a total of 1,825 filters set up.

[quote]Do you want just plain solid information or do you want the editors personality to shine through as well...Does knowing more about the editor add to their credibility? [/quote]

I think it adds value to be able to learn something about the author.

You often hear that newsletters helps you accelerate the relationship you have with your subscribers. This may be partly true. But in my opinion, any solid relationship can't be based on information traveling one way. It takes two to have a relationship doesn't it?

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

[kellylowe]

Lack of good content in newsletters is something that is really bothering me. Everyone wants to publish a 'newsletter' but the majority of the time, it is nothing but a big ad, or a bunch of small ads, with very little useful information.

I hit that unsubscribe link often.

I think it is important to get to know the editor on a personal level. For instance, I almost always read the 'publisher's notes' or whatever each publisher calls this section. I find it interesting to hear what is going on in these people's lives - as long as it isn't a sales pitch. I LOVE to hear what is going on in their business, problems they have had - and solved - and things of this nature. It is interesting, and it may eventually become useful information, if I am ever confronted with a similar situation.

After that, I want good information. I expect a sales pitch in an article. That is normal. But if the articles in the newsletter are solid sales pitches, without giving me any information I can use without purchasing the product, then I'm not interested.

I think of a newsletter as a follow up sales call - in a way. Let me give you two good examples.

Recently, Jeremy and I have been looking to make some investments in the stock market - options on commodities to be exact - and we've been reading and researching this. Of course, we've filled out forms for more information, and provided our telephone number so salepeople can call us from brokerage firms to give us more information.

One saleslady from a well known company has called several times - her name is Kimberly. She provided me with information about their company, sent me an information package with a CD ROM, because we are new, and she wants us to learn, so we know what we are doing. She has called to tell me about useful websites - other than theirs - where I can get great information. She has never once asked me to purchase their services or sign up with them in any way. She has never once asked me to fill out another form. She has given me her direct telephone number, in case I have any questions about investing in options - since I'm just learning. She has NOT asked for the sale.

This morning, I received another call from a different company. It was a man, and he was VERY EXCITED about his company and what they could do for me. I explained that my husband and I were just looking for information, because we plan to invest soon, and we wanted to learn more. He informed me that I didn't need to learn anything, because that was what he was for, and while I was wasting time learning, I could be missing out on some really big money. Then, asked me to committ to investing 5000.00. I explained - again - that I would never invest money into something that I know little or nothing about. Then he got downright pushy about it, and I finally just hung up on him.

Now, when my husband and I get ready to invest our money - which is a whole heck of alot more than 5000.00 - which company do you think we will be going with?

I like Kimberly. She has told me little personal tidbits about herself, and her own investment experiences. She helps me learn, and is willing to answer any questions that I have, and she will have our business - probably within the next 30 days.

Now, convert both of those sales calls into newsletter format. Which one do you think I would unsubscribe to the fastest? Again, which one will get my business? Kimberly would - of course!

Just my two cents!

[Kevin Robb]

Kelly,

You make some very good points in your post...

[quote]Recently, Jeremy and I have been looking to make some investments in the stock market - options on commodities to be exact - and we've been reading and researching this. Of course, we've filled out forms for more information, and provided our telephone number so salepeople can call us from brokerage firms to give us more information.

One saleslady from a well known company has called several times - her name is Kimberly. She provided me with information about their company, sent me an information package with a CD ROM, because we are new, and she wants us to learn, so we know what we are doing. She has called to tell me about useful websites - other than theirs - where I can get great information. She has never once asked me to purchase their services or sign up with them in any way. She has never once asked me to fill out another form. She has given me her direct telephone number, in case I have any questions about investing in options - since I'm just learning. She has NOT asked for the sale. [/quote]

Offline or Online the approach is the same...build credibility and a trusting relationship, Don't pressure people, let them make their own decisions but provide them with solid and reliable information so they can do so.

Apply this principle in every transaction and success will follow but it requires patience...what is it they say ? Rome wasn't built in a day!!

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[computerincome]

I like the personal approach in ezines and try to bring this into my own ezine. I too hate loads of ads. I always restrict ads in my ezine to a top sponsor ad, a few sponsor ads through out (around 5) and then there is a section for classifieds, co-op ads and members ads. I try not to put too many ads in each of these sections. Each issue has 2 good articles in it, resources, ebook reviews etc.

I try and encourage subscriber participation such as them sending in profiles about themselves and their businesses, tips, resources etc but it can be very difficult to get any involvement from your subscribers.

Rachel

http://www.freedailycash.com --> in case you want to take a look!

[Kevin Robb]

So if you had to make a choice what would you see as the preferred content of a newsletter?

a) Totally ad free version?

b) A maximum of two ads?

c) A newsletter run like a book, Chapter one today, two next week and so on...

d) Other?

This is not a poll just some general thoughts.

Your comment would be appreciated.

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[computerincome]

I'd go for a newsletter with good quality content and a few well placed ads.

Rachel