Feb
06

Simplified email marketing ideas

…Frank talk about emails that work.

Email marketing is a powerful tool you need to add to your marketing toolkit.

Email alone has added millions of dollars to my clients bank accounts in the past few years.  Many of the big launches I have helped with were driven completely digital and combined emails, with articles, driving everyone back to the web pages that took their orders.

I will be the first to add that you MUST use offline marketing as well.

Especially in a challenging economy like we are in now. People are acting different, buying differently, and, frankly, overwhelmed with everything around them.  Email volume has gone up in the past few months… and direct mail (on paper) has dropped.  So I highly recommend you add in some direct offline mail to your mix as well.

That said; email marketing is an incredible tool for getting fast results, for testing the approaches you are going to test offline, and for improving your cash flow quickly.

We would be crazy not to be using it in our marketing.marketing-fears-erased2

There are a number of types of emails you can use in your marketing, I would recommend mixing and matching some of the following.  Test what approach works best, and then use more of that moving forward.

One thing I recommend you get used to is to write the email without any sales pitch, then add in a PS that links to your sales pitch. That way, they get useful information from you in the body of the email and an option to buy something if they want.  If you are constantly delivering useful content, they will continue to bring you traffic, buyers and prospects for as long as you continue to use them.

Story telling emails

By far one of the most powerful and easiest (with practice) emails you can send.  Who doesn’t love a good story?  Especially one that is sent to your prospects and clients that draws them closer to you, even dropping any form of resistance they were feeling.

If you are not a natural story teller, then you need to practice this.  Story telling was never a natural thing for me, and is something I am always working on getting better at.

Here are a couple shortcuts to get you thinking:

Discovery stories.  Is there something in your business, in your product line, or in your life that you just discovered?  Share it.

Before and after stories.  One of the most compelling proof elements you can use in your copy.  Show people (through a story) how life was for you, or yoru customers, before your product or service, and how it evolved after.  Show pictures if you can through the links in the email as well.

3rd person testimonial.  Do everything in your power to get your customers to share their experiences with you and your products.  Make sure you get their approval to use their testimonial, then publish it in its full glory.  Make sure to include their full name and city (at a minimum), which further adds credibility to your claims.

Sceptic turned believer emails. Much like the testimonials above, but look specifically for people who were highly sceptical first, and are now believers in you and yoru business.  Have them tell the story that way… I was a sceptic, now I am a believer… and here is why…

Long lost secrets

People love to believe there is some secret you know that they don’t. So give them one!

If you are an expert in your field, there ARE things you know that they don’t.  Share a few here and there.  You will be amazed at how people respond to you when you reveal a secret or two.

As soon as you do… the floodgates open and you are now officially an expert and people will follow your every word.

 

Why?

Why should they listen to you?  Why are you the one writing this email?  Why do you do what you do?

You must get comfortable telling your story… again and again.  People want to know who they are buying from and it is entirely up to you to tell them why you.

The reason why is one of the most compelling sales arguments you can tell them… so this one is a good one to test, refine and test again with.

 

Fear and Anxiety

Sometimes you just have to scare them.  If your product or service helps them overcome something dramatic or dangerous… make sure they understand the pain they will go through if they don’t fix the problem.

Many people I deal with are scared of scaring others.

Despite the FACT that it is one of the most powerful ways to craft emails that get results.

If you are going to scare them really scare them

 

Common enemies

Pick on common enemies in your emails.  It may be the government. It may be the media. It may be all the blatant lies in the marketplace.

Taking sides WITH them against the enemy will win your friends and make you money… guaranteed.

 

Techniques for email marketing.

Test using short emails vs long.  The short emails would be a teaser to your long copy.  What you will likely find is that some of your prospects and clients like short emails, others like long.  Both sides work… you just have to test to find out which way works best with your list. And having a link in each email they can click through to gives you the ability to test both approaches and see if the short emails get more clicks than the long.

Only testing will tell you the truth.

Make sure you are consistent in your emails too. Don’t send one a day for 2 weeks then take 3 months off.  I would aim for 2 or 3 a month at the minimum.  2 or 3 a week at the maximum.

Again, it is highly dependent on the type of people on your list, and the type of information they want to see from you.

Email marketing works, and can be highly profitable.  Don’t expect to make millions overnight though… despite all the big promises you see out there.

Test, tweak, test again.

Figure out what works, use it again and again, and again.

Dump that which doesn’t work… and always remember what you tested (so you aren’t retesting the same failed approach).

Truly simply in many ways.

Troy

PS: The Story Selling Home Study Coaching program
http://www.storysellingtips.com is ready and is an incredible way
to introduce your clients and prospects to your backstories…
where your real money will be made.

Jan
25

The curious case of the “bespoke brief”

Another bizarre email request came through my blog today.

I wanted to share with you the email I got, and the unusual lessons that are inside.

First, I get lots of requests through my blog contact page.

Some of them are for helping with marketing campaigns, others are asking for money, some are joint venture requests, and then other times….I get this kind of nonsense.

“I hope you are well. {NOTE: no personalization – shows a lack of real effort or research on who actually writes for the site.  It would take about 2.3 seconds at the most to figure out my name}
After reading your blog, I think you may be interested in a project I run that would be great for your site.

{NOTE: if they truly read my blog, they should have put something in here to prove that they did, and didn’t just hire someone to do this en masse}

We are looking for partners that we can place a page of our high quality editorial content with, in which the article will be written directly to a bespoke brief produced by you. In exchange we would like to place a link back to one of our blue chips client’s sites.

{NOTE: ‘Bespoke brief’?  Who talks like that?  I sure as hell don’t! Nor would I EVER recommend you do.  I had to think about what it actually meant…and any time you ask someone to get out a dictionary to decipher your message, they are done…toast…vamoose…later gator.  Never try and impress people with your creative use of big words.  It doesn’t impress anyone}

{NOTE: So they want to put one of their clients content pieces on my site, with my endorsement, and a link back to their client’s sites?  Wow! I am so excited!!!  What an amazing opportunity for me.  I am such a lucky guy and this is the opportunity of a lifetime for me! What am I waiting for…this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. YEESH.  That is the best they can do, is it?  There is truly NOTHING in it for me with their offer. Put crap up on MY site with a link back to some other person’s site…how enticing.  How about I write my own content and link back to MY products, services, or recommended resources? Go figure.}

We endeavour to produce the highest quality content for our partner sites. I can assure you that all of our clients are recognised corporate brands, so the quality of your site will not be affected by the link within it.I’m sure you receive many e-mails similar to this, offering services at the lower end of the quality spectrum. {company name} Limited have worked on a high end proposition, we are content providers not spammy link builders. Please visit www.{removed for privacy}.com so you can get more of a feel for who we are and what we do.

{NOTES: Yes I do get lots of this nonsense…thanks for thinking of me.  Yours is no better and actually may be worse.  Now go away please.}

If you are interested in partnering with us, or have any questions regarding this opportunity, please do not hesitate to contact me.

{NOTE: Can’t wait!}

I look forward to hearing from you.Kindest Regards

…….

Maybe these guys have a great business doing this, I have no idea. The approach they took with this email SUCKED though.  I can’t think of a more useless piece of trash.

Always remember when soliciting new business….the potential customer you are contacting has 2 very important questions they quickly want an answer to:

1) “What’s in it for me?”  This email never once answered that question.  Yet it is the most important one of all.   Put some serious thought into the answer to this when writing emails or approaching prospects.  If you don’t address this – expect them to dismiss your ‘wonderful offer’ much like I have here.

2) “So what?”   Each and every line in your email request (or letter, or postcard, etc) should answer the question.  Put content on my site? So what?  I write my own.  A link back to their site?  So what?  I don’t want to promote some moron I don’t know, trust, or like.

Put some thought into your emails and prospecting efforts.

Please!

Don’t let your email request get caught in a review like this one!

Answer those 2 questions and you will get a much more friendly response than this :O)

Troy

Sep
09

Dan Lok Reveals his DCB + HCO + PAT internet marketing formula

I had a BLAST last night chatting with Dan Lok about Massive Passive income.

So did everyone who made it on the call.

It was one of the best calls I have hosted…

…but you may have missed it as I had a lot of people asking for a replay, which Dan kindly agreed to.

Are you interesting in creating more streams of income in your business?

Maybe you are looking for a new business or additional business to start?

Then you need to listen in as Dan walks us through his Massive Passive Income Formula. (which is what CB + HCO + PAT equals)

http://www.danlokpassiveincome.com/replay.html

Here’s a 30 year old whipper snapper that is raking in over a million a year in his various businesses…and they are all based on the techniques he shared last night.

ALSO…

Dan Lok’s Last-Time-Ever Massive Passive Income Program offer is coming to an end. I am registered in it and you should be too.

Actually, I bonused in my Story Selling Coaching program for you if you sign up for Dan’s coaching (in other words you get in to Story Selling FREE when you join Dan’s program which he talks about at the end of the
80 minute content rich webinar)

The full details are at the replay (which you should be listening to anyhow, any entrepreneur serious about marketing needs to hear his formula)

http://www.danlokpassiveincome.com/replay.html

Dan Lok is officially retiring as an internet marketing guru and after today, this unbelievable offer expires and will no longer be offered…ever again!

If you’ve already taken advantage of this last-time offer, then you’ve taken that first important step to creating that passive income you’ve always dreamed of!

Last I heard from Dan today there are just 8 spots left.

But if you haven’t seen the replay or signed up…

… you’ll receive the ENTIRE F.U. Money System Mailed To You ($3,000.00 value). We also have a 3-month pay option if you prefer that. But don’t wait! There are only 8 sets left available and after TODAY, the offer expires…and will be gone forever!

http://www.danlokpassiveincome.com/replay.html

Enjoy the replay and I hope you are one of the last 8 to join Dan (and me in his coaching and in my Story Selling program – which BOTH start next week so hang on for a ride while Dan teaches you the systems behind his online success formula, and I show you how to weave stories into ALL your marketing for greater results and profit).

Talk to you soon.

Troy

PS: CB + HCO + PAT = Massive passive income and a very good way for you to grow your income and diversify your revenues.

Listen to the replay and serious think about being one of the last 8 to join us in the program

http://www.danlokpassiveincome.com/replay.html

Sep
06

Building an online empire

I have a quick, educational, and profitable story for you

March 2002, I finally quit the corporate world.

Fortunately for me, I was owed a decent chunk of outstanding commissions from my computer sales job.

…it bought me some time to figure out what I “wanted to do when I grew up”.

It also started to finance my copywriting education and web marketing initiatives.

My wife, Kari, had been planning corporate and wedding events for years.

I twisted her arm and got her to agree to write a guide for planning weddings (specific types of weddings).

She wrote the book. I wrote the copy.

We went live.

That was over 9 years ago… and that simple (very ugly) sales page continues to make us money.

We do very little to it…

…and it continues to send us cheques.

Every.
Single.
Month.

My biggest mistake in the past 9 years? Not building up MORE of these sites. I have done this type of site in a number of industries, but I could have made far more moola if I had spent time getting this going on a larger scale.

Which is EXACTLY why you need to be on this teleseminar with my friend Dan Lok.Dan Lok

Dan is smart… smarter than me!

He was a copywriter… but he saw the light and went gung ho on these kind of sites.

And has made $27M since then in sales

Dan has agreed to do a one time webinar for you and I.

I will be there taking notes and planning my fall.

You?

Unlike other gurus, Dan doesn’t speak at big conferences or go on the roads or do a webinar every week. And he doesn’t need to. He’s kind of semi-retired now.

The economy is on shaky grounds still, but Dan’s businesses continue to prosper (so do my own niche sites that continue to send us cheques in goods times and bad).

Secretly he told me, he’s made more money in the last 12 months than in any previous year.

He knows something that people don’t.

You need to hear what he has to say.

If you get a chance to hear him, you don’t want to miss it. We only have 300 spots, if you don’t think you will show up, don’t register.

This is probably the most important webinar you’ll listen to this year.

Plus, and this is a BIG plus, I have a surprise announcement for you on the call – that you will ONLY hear if you are on the call.

Dan has agreed to share his private formulas for conquering the online marketing world… and I want you to join us next Thursday.

[--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]

Here’s a short-list of what will be covered on this 75-90 minute webinar:

* The fastest, simplest way to start making money on the Internet. Period.

* How to create a business that makes money for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

* How to ‘fire your employer’! No more clocking in or out and no limit to the amount of income you can rake in.

* An amazingly simple strategy to make money without having your own ‘list’ of customers or prospects

* How to stop trading time for money and start earning a 6-figure ‘Passive’ income within 12 months.

* 2 big mistakes many new Internet Marketers make that you must to avoid at all costs. (Hint: Making these 2 mistakes can waste thousands of dollars and years of your time!)

Here are the details:

FREE Webinar: DAN LOK’S ON-LINE MONEY MAKING METHODS REVEALED

How to Get Started With Your Own On-line Business, or Start
Making (More) Money On-line with Your Current Business.

Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011
Time: 5 – 6:30 p.m. Pacific. (7pm Mtn. 9 pm EST).
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/651755038

[--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]

Looking back over my past 9 and a half years in this business, I have loved it beyond anything else I have ever done in my life.

But I really am kicking myself over not doing more of what Dan is showing on this call.

It is the reason for my surprise announcement on the call…

…and is the reason I want you to be here with me.

Dan is going to deliver some incredible goods here – do NOT miss out.

Don’t delay and kick yourself later.

Dan is the real deal, will show you how to replicate the systems he uses, and you can steal his ideas to get your own online sites cranking out more revenues with greater frequency.

See you next Thur on the call.

Troy

PS: Dan will not only be showing YOU how to get this done – I will be taking copious notes as well!

Don’t miss this one – Dan is not one to do calls like this very often. https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/651755038

Sep
02

Free webinar next wk: Dan Lok bares all (25.7M worth of it)

Over the past 10 years in business, I have been very fortunate to meet and work with some incredible people.

I have also seen the ugly underbelly of the ‘guru’ business.

The one thing I have found again and again is that the real success stories are from the least likely of places.

They aren’t out there spouting off how great they are, or showing off their fake clickbank cheques and rental cars they claim as their own.

The real ones go about their business and rarely show off what they have accomplished, or how.

Dan Lok is the real deal. I have known him for 4 or 5 years now, as we both write monthly articles for a paid membership program. Dan has sold $25.7 millions worth of products online recently, and has agreed do a one-time webinar with you and I.

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/651755038

Dan started off writing copy and trading time for dollars, much like many others do that sell their time for dollars.

He wrote great copy.

He made great coin doing it.

…but he makes his REAL money running one of his many online businesses.

Lots of it ($25.7 M in revenues).

And the places he does make his real money are not selling ‘how to make milyuns with my push-button-magic-dohickey, like many do.

Dan has agreed to share his private formulas for conquering the online marketing world… and I want you to join us next Thursday.

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/651755038

Now whether you are looking for a whole new business venture, or you want to augment your current income with a new revenue stream, or you have a business or real estate investing business that you want to promote better on-line, then you will definitely want to be on this webinar!

[--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]

Here’s a short-list of what will be covered on this 75-90 minute webinar:

• The fastest, simplest way to start making money on the Internet. Period.

• How to create a business that makes money for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

• How to ‘fire your employer’! No more clocking in or out and no limit to the amount of income you can rake in.

• An amazingly simple strategy to make money without having your own ‘list’ of customers or prospects

• How to stop trading time for money and start earning a 6-figure ‘Passive’ income within 12 months.

• 2 big mistakes many new Internet Marketers make that you must to avoid at all costs. (Hint: Making these 2 mistakes can waste thousands of dollars and years of your time!)

Here are the details:

FREE Webinar: DAN LOK’S ON-LINE MONEY MAKING METHODS REVEALED

How to Get Started With Your Own On-line Business, or Start Making (More) Money On-line with Your Current Business.

Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011
Time: 5 – 6:30 p.m. Pacific. (7pm Mtn. 9 pm EST).
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/651755038

[--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------]

Don’t delay and kick yourself later.

Dan is the real deal, will show you how to replicate the systems he uses, and you can steal his ideas to get your own online sites cranking out more revenues with greater frequency.

See you next Thur on the call.

Troy

PS: I have thoroughly loved every minute of the last 10 years in business… but there is ONE thing I wish I had done more of, faster, and earlier. Build more online revenue streams! I have a number of them now – but could have, should have, been much more prolific in this area. Dan will not only be showing YOU how
to get this done – I will be taking copious notes as well!

Don’t miss this one – Dan is not one to do calls like this very often. https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/651755038

Jun
29

7 Critical Email Marketing Rules

Here’s how you can increase your sales numbers and attract a better quality client

Email marketing has transformed the way we can grow businesses. From the costly (yet still highly effective) direct mail world with the postage and printing costs… to the new age of instant delivery and little out-of-pocket costs for a mailing.

Email can bring life to your marketing mix and give your prospects and customers an insiders peak into your personality and business endeavors.

That said, email marketing is not a guaranteed moola maker.

In fact, more of them go wrong than right (despite what nonsense many of the ‘gurus’ are feeding you this week).

It doesn’t take much to sit at your computer like I am doing now, and put together a letter to your clients, much like I am to you right now.

What it DOES take is some grey matter to go into your campaign and some formulas that help ensure your odds are improved.

1) Write to ONE person… not hundreds or thousands. Know who your perfect client is. Know them like your best friend. Know what they would say if they were the one writing their life story in a journal.

What would they tell you?
What are their challenges?
What are their frustrations?
What keeps them awake at night tossing and turning?

If you don’t know this – you can’t write effective emails to them. They will come across as bland, stale, and without a personal connection. BUT, when you DO know who they are (intimately) your email will strike a chord with them unlike any others they receive. (fyi: I actually got to know my one client so well that I ended up marrying her :o ) 11 years now… twin 9 years daughters to add to the mix. You could say I know her very well :)

Marriage and kids... the roller coaster ride of your life!

2) Leverage your personality. One of your greatest assets, yet highly unlikely being used to its potential. Here are a few key things you can use in your copy that may help.

The key to this is to let loose. This is a unique way of getting inside your head and finding real life ways to position you and your business in the buyers mind. Don’t worry about if it is too much or too little… just dump your thoughts on paper.

Sometimes the most unusual of things about you can be the big breakthroughs we are looking for in the marketing and positioning of you.

Have fun… share freely.

* Pet Peeves
* Physical Characteristics (Uniqueness)
* Core Beliefs
* Politics
* Birthplace
* What Are You Pathological About?
* Significant Childhood Events
* Beliefs
* Hobbies
* Education
* Skills
* Interests
* Family
* Talents
* Life Events You Remember Most
* Adventures You Will Never Forget
* Incompetence At?
* Anything You Are A Legend Of?

If you invest a few hours on this, and write down the points you think of as they come to you, that docuement will help you write promotions, articles, blog posts and campaigns for years to come.

A definite worthwhile investment.

3) Always try and include something in your promotions that gives an insight, a tip, or something helpful. Even in your promotions, include a PS or a side bar that is helpful. It helps them justify the time they invest in your materials.

4) What makes you unique in your field? Everyone talks about a USP – but, as you’ve probably seen, they are not that simple to create. Ask anyone what the best USPs are, and you will always hear Dominos Pizza, Fedex, etc. Always the same. Why? Because they aren’t that easy to do. Especially in today’s market with soooo many competitors out there – all doing the same thing you are. But there must be something, just one thing, that makes you unique. Right? Find it – then mention it in every email that goes out. Use it on your websites. On your blog. On your invoices. Everywhere you can – spread the word about the one thing that makes you unique. It doesn’t have to be rocket science – Microsoft doesn’t have one – Coke doesn’t have one – even Apple doesn’t have one. So monster success stories didn’t always get that way with an official USP – they just found one or two things they were good at and made that the focus of their marketing.

5) Call to action. Obvious… but not used. Every email you send should have a call to action. That does not mean you sell something every time you email… that is a dangerous path to take. The call to action could be to visit your blog, or reply back with comments, or to fill out a survey (the unsung hero of getting to know your customers). Just ask them to do something.

You should aim for 4 times as much content as promotions.

So one out of every 4 – 5 emails you send can be a promotion.

6) Have more fun with graphics. I am as guilty as charged here – but have been testing different approaches with some retail clients of mine. I found some interesting conversion improves with some very untraditional graphics.

Something I recommend you try.

Think about how people ‘traditionally’ think about your business, product or industry. What is the opposite of that? What graphic could be used to show the 2 opposites? Test it – you may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

7) Always remember Murphy’s Law in your email marketing. If something can go wrong, chances are it will. Pay very close attention to (speaking from my own mess ups): Deadlines are correct, contact details are correct, dates or holidays are the right one (like my mixup on when Canada day is this week – whoops!), etc.

Plan for a contingency.

Think through your email from the point of view of a brand new prospect to your email list. How would they see it? What would they like about it? Dislike aoutb it? Is it worthy of being passed on?

Do your best to factor these 7 rules into your marketing.

More to come.

Have a great week.

Troy White

PS: REMINDER – If you haven’t snapped up one of the Cash Flow Calendars at 63.27% off, get your copy now through this special link:
https://responsivedm.infusionsoft.com/saleform/nathniit

You can read all the details at www.cashflowcalendars.com (but must use the link above to get the 63.27% discount)

PPS: SPECIAL OFFER. If you are looking for a unique email (or print) marketing campaign this summer, email me back. I have a very unique and unusual exciting alternative for you this summer – one that’s guaranteed to be highly profitable for you.
This is available to you at just a fraction of the cost of our full service campaigns. No obligation – just email me and we can set up a time to talk for 5 minutes about it.