Yes. But we need to be much smarter then we were five years ago. You need to capture attention with real benefits. You need to avoid the perception of SPAM.
Here's an email from Conquest Financial that fails on several points. You might learn from the mistakes of Robin States with Conquest Financial Services.
I've received at least six copies of this message from Robin States. It's so bad that naturally I ignored the first few messages. I requested removal from Mr States list at least twice. So now I'm annoyed at receiving this SPAM from Conquest Financial.
So let's see what we can learn from this bad email.
First mistake. The email was marked, "High Priority". To me, only life and death issues are high priority. I have never marked an email "High Priority" because nothing in business is "high priority". So my first reaction is annoyance.
Second, the subject line was not bad.
"Important Merchant Account Information - Reduce Your Rates!"
A better line would have been "How to Reduce Your Merchant Account rates"
Next, the greeting and opening line.
-----------------
Hello,
Robin States here, with Conquest Financial Services. Keeping this email brief I would like to introduce our services.
-----------------
It starts with Hello - but not my name. Clearly it's not addressed to me. Looks like SPAM already. Read the next two sentences. Nothing of value there. I don't know Robin States or Conquest Financial so neither of those names mean anything to me. The next sentence is total crap and wasted words. If you wanted to keep it brief then don't waste my time by telling me that.
---------------------------
At Conquest Financial Services, our mission is to provide our customers with the most innovative and diverse suite of payment processing solutions that will fuel the success of their business while developing a long-standing relationship through outstanding customer service and support.
---------------------------
What does that mean?
It's gobbly goop. No benefits offered there.
These words are meaningless: our mission, most innovative, diverse suite, fuel the success, outstanding customer service and support...
Further down, Mr States ask for referrals. Here is my referral. Don't do business with Robin States or Conquest Financial Services because they SPAM and lie.
Naturally like any referral that is based on my opinion of my limited experience with this company.
And way at the bottom is the offer to "unsubscribe". My experience is that that is a lie.
This SPAM email from Robin States with Conquest Financial offers good example of what not to do in your email marketing.
See the full email below.
-----------------
Hello,
Robin
States here, with Conquest Financial Services. Keeping this email brief I would
like to introduce our services.
At
Conquest Financial Services, our mission is to provide our customers with the
most innovative and diverse suite of payment processing solutions that will fuel
the success of their business while developing a long-standing relationship
through outstanding customer service and support.
Conquest
Financial Services has mandated to enable its clients to process all major card
brands including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB and
Interac Direct Payment in Canada AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE RATES.
WE WILL
BEAT YOUR CURRENT RATES GUARANTEED!
I SERVICE
ALL OF CANADA!
Conquest
Financial Services offers comprehensive payment solutions specially tailored to
your business.
- Full line of the most Advanced smart card enabled POS equipment
- Flexible low-cost transaction processing
- Merchant Cash Advances
- Outstanding 24/7/365 Customer Service and Technical Support
If you are
interested in saving on your merchant services cost, and would like to put more
of your hard earned revenue back into your business, please contact me to
discuss your options further, and to arrange for an analysis on your current
merchant situation. I will show you how you can save $$$ by switching to Conquest Financial
Services as your merchant services provider.
*** Also,
Conquest Financial
Services provides Working Capital Loans to Small & Medium
Businesses for whatever your business needs require. Please contact me for more
information regarding working capital loans.
If you are
not interested in our services, but know of someone who would be, please forward
on my contact information or this email communication and I will get them into
the best possible processing situation. Referrals are greatly
appreciated.
Thank you
for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you
soon,
Rob States
Regional Accounts
Manager
Conquest Financial Services | 326
Adelaide St W. Suite 400 | Toronto ON M5V 1R3
Tel: 1.877.505.9383 ext. 161 |
Fax: 1.866.209.9359
| E-Mail : rstates@conquest-financial.com
P
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George Torok Keynote Marketing Speaker Co-author of Secrets of Power Marketing Get your free copy of "50 Power Marketing Ideas" Power Marketing on FaceBook Marketing Zoo on Twitter
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