|
|
Autoresponders = Automatic Internet Marketing Success
Copyright 2005 Morris Clopton
What if you could send out all the information that your potential customers have requested without checking your email or answering a phone? While this may seem impossible, it is becoming more and more popular among...
Developing an Effective Email Subject Line
Direct Services Inc. has developed an Email Subject Line Tester. Use this free tool before launching your email marketing campaign to assess a subject line’s vulnerability to both SPAM filters and human perception. Miramar, FL – April 18, 2005 –...
E-mail VS The Web
What Works Best for Selling Online? Email or Web Pages? Good question right? I always thought so! That is until I went through my little learning curve. I can save you from the same lessons if you have a few moments... You see, I do a ton of...
How to Waste Money and Annoy Potential Customers
Why do some companies bid on keywords for products they don’t even sell? Or fail to provide the basic information people need to make the decision to buy? Here’s a cautionary tale-- with a happy ending. Has this ever happened to you? I’m looking...
More Article Submission Websites Require Authors to Register and Use Passwords
Copyright 2005 Off the Page
Increasingly, Article Submission Websites make Authors Pre-register
As I post articles I’ve written online, I’m encountering many more content sites that require a password. Authors need to provide personal...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Personal Touch
Sure, the e-tools available for an online merchant are great. We have up to the minute product selection on our web pages, and auto-responders that can follow up requests. We have our own online mall, immediate payment methods to prevent that "cooling off" period, secure sites for financial transactions, and all sorts of e-tools at our disposal. But what is wrong? You're not being overwhelmed with sales, and barely making expenses.
Stop for a moment. Why are potential customers leaving your e-store without placing an order. Assuming that you have a decent product and prices, why are they not buying.
Possibly they have questions that are not being answered, and would like to talk with a live human being. The brick and mortar store has the edge over the e-store, when faced with a customer that needs personal contact to feel comfortable.
If someone has reached this point, usually all they need is a little assurance before placing their order. And here is the funny part - they may not even want to talk with someone, but may just want to be sure there is someone they can contact if there is a problem.
If you don't list proper contact information at your virtual business, you may be losing customers. Your name and e-mail address will go a long way. Even better, give them a physical address and a telephone number they can call. You may wish to have an "800" number, but you will get a lot of "tire kickers". Even if you don't give a free number, just the fact that there is a number listed goes a long way in allaying their fears.
Let your potential customers know, that if they have questions, they can email you their phone number, and you will call them. Many times they won't, as all they really wanted, was to know they are dealing with a real person.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words - consider putting your picture on your web site. This gives instant identification to your name and goes a long way in building customer confidence.
If someone requests information from
you, do you respond in a timely manner? Letting days pass, without even acknowledging their request, is a major "turn off".
Why not send an automatic reply that let's them know their request was received, and you will get back to them shortly. If it will take a day or so to get back, let them know. Don't forget that humans have egos, and egos need to be stroked.
An auto-responder is really a great thing, and should be in everyone's marketing bag of tricks. They serve a vital role in your advertising efforts by providing someone with information in which they have an interest.
But some people have confused things here a bit. They don't understand the meaning of "NO". If I have made up my mind I am not interested in your offer, I really don't want you to give me the same, or similar information again, and again, and again. These are just as aggravating as web sites that won't let you escape, and they keep opening up additional windows that you have to close.
Some people have set up their auto-responders to send 5-7 follow- up notes. I refer to these as "nag notices". They must feel that if they "nag" you enough, you will give in and buy their product or service. I don't know about you, but with each one I get, my resistance stiffens. I may have been a prospect before, but the timing just wasn't right. These tactics have caused the loss of a prospect.
When you get an order, do you remember to say "Thank You" to your customer? Those two little words can be the key to getting repeat business from them.
E-commerce is here to stay, but the mortality rate of "wannabes" will be high. Those that remember the "Personal Touch" will be among the survivors.
About the Author
Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine the "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business at his Web Site? Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday. Instructions on how to place your ad are in the Newsletter. Subscribe at: http://adv-marketing.com/business/subscribe2.htm
|
|
|
|
|
Email marketing services and email marketing tools from SubscriberMail |
SubscriberMail is the leading provider of email marketing services and technology, enabling clients to send email marketing newsletters and campaigns ... |
www.subscribermail.com |
  |
ClickZ Internet Marketing Experts |
You are in the: ClickZ Network arrow. ClickZ Network Navigation, ClickZ Network Home, News, News Blog, Experts, Stats, Features, Search Engine Watch ... |
www.clickz.com |
  |
Email Marketing Solutions from Constant Contact |
Email marketing software that makes it easy to create professional HTML email campaigns with no tech skills. Sign up for a 60-Day FREE trial. |
www.constantcontact.com |
  |
Constant Contact Learning Center – Email Marketing Resources |
Articles on email marketing best practices, including tips on building an email list, writing email newsletters, and tracking email campaigns. |
www.constantcontact.com |
  |
Email Marketing | Email Campaigns |
Online resource for Bulk Email Marketing Services, Email Address List, Email Marketing Campaigns, Email List Builder, Permission Email Marketing, ... |
www.benchmarkemail.com |
  |
Email Marketing Reports |
Hundreds of articles and reviews on email marketing and advertising. |
www.email-marketing-reports.com |
  |
MailWorkZ Email Marketing Products and Services |
Full suite of email marketing products and online services. Create effective campaigns, manage deliverability, evaluate and track results. |
www.mailworkz.com |
  |
Email Marketing, Internet Marketing Tool, Bulk Email Marketing ... |
Email marketing, internet marketing tool and bulk email marketing strategies from StreamSend. |
www.streamsend.com |
  |
Email Marketing - About Email |
Email is a very powerful marketing tool. In spite of spammers abusing the medium, email can still be used and is still valued by users for timely, ... |
email.about.com |
  |
Email Marketing Software - Email Marketing Solutions - Lyris |
Email Marketing Solutions from Lyris - The most popular email marketing software, list hosting services, email deliverability and antispam solutions since ... |
www.lyris.com |
  |
Direct email Marketing |
eFuse.com is a virtual primer for creating great web sites-offering information, inspiration, assistance and entertainment. |
www.efuse.com |
  |
Topica: Online Marketing and Sales Solution |
Email Marketing Solutions - Topica's Direct Email Marketing Solution boosts lead generation, increases conversion rates, and shortens the online sales cycle ... |
www.topica.com |
  |
Pure ))) Email Marketing and Email Advertising |
Provides web-based email marketing solutions to improve brand awareness and advertising communications. |
www.pure360.com |
  |
Email Marketing Software & Services from Email Marketing Solutions UK |
Email Marketing Solutions UK: Private label, multi-user mailing list management and email marketing software solution for designers and marketers. |
www.emailtools.co.uk |
  |
Email Marketing Software from Bronto |
Email marketing software for managing lists and sending newsletters, surveys and other communications. |
bronto.com |
  |
IntelliContact - We Simplify Email Marketing |
IntelliContact is more than email marketing. It represents the future of ... "We Simplify Email Marketing" and "Intelligent Email Marketing Software" are ... |
www.intellicontact.com |
  |
Email marketing | Business Link |
How to use email to promote your business in a constructive way that stays clear of anti-spam rules. |
www.businesslink.gov.uk |
  |
Email Marketing Software: Direct Email Marketing from Listrak |
Email marketing provider, Listrak is a permission-based application that provides an easy and affordable method of managing, sending and tracking the ... |
www.listrak.com |
  |
Mass email marketing software for email newsletters, email merge ... |
Internet marketing tools that mean business: e-mail personalization and marketing tools for professionals. |
www.arialsoftware.com |
  |
Email Marketing Software & Services from Emailcenter UK |
Email marketing software solutions and services from Emailcenter UK. |
www.emailcenteruk.com |
  |
|