Soxial Media Explained

This really sums up the major social media platforms well. Plus, it talks about bacon, which makes it better... because everything is better with bacon. 

Photo via Tribal Cafe.

Alaka-Spam!!

Okay, my Spam is just getting weird now. I am used to mountains of non-relevant, useless and potentially malevolent emails clogging up my Spam folder or finding their way into my inbox. Get rich quick scams, male enhancement solutions, snoring cures, auto finders, loan approvals... you name it, I've seen it, blocked it and deleted it all.

But this was a new one. A Love Spell. Wow. My Spam has suddenly taken a mystical turn. 

I have one question. Are the voodoo dolls, cauldrons and "eye of newt" included or do they cost extra? (That's how they getcha.)

I wonder what other sorcery my inbox might conjure up next... Invisibility? Super strength? X-Ray vision? All I have to do is have the courage to click on that link. 

Problem is, I don't think there is an incantation powerful enough to ward off all of the evil pop-up ads, viruses and scams that I am sure will magically appear on my computer once I let that first Love Spell rabbit out of the hat. 

Sorry Love Spell people, I am using my magic cursor and making your Spam disappear.
Alakazam!!!

A History of Content Marketing

Here is a cool video that takes us through the history of content marketing.  It's the opening video from Content Marketing World on "The Power of Story".



















This video comes via the Content Marketing Institute web site, which is a source of a ton of great content. No surprise there.

When is the Best Times to Send Email?

This is one of the most useful infographics I have ever seen. How many times have you hit "send" on a newsletter or email blast and wondered if you picked the right time?

Thanks to the folks over at MarketingProfs for this one. Click here for a better look at the graph and to read the whole article.

Opt Out is Not the Only Option

"Get out of my inbox, Joseph!"

That's what I found myself saying after a few months what seemed like an endless barrage of emails from Jos. A. Bank. It felt a lot like that climatic court room scene in Miracle on 34th Street, when the mailmen march in and dump piles of mail on the floor. Except these weren't heart warming letters to Santa, it was annoying spam.

Let me explain. A while back I bought a few things at Jos. A. Bank. I had been told that they constantly run sales and specials, so I went down and picked up a few shirts and other items. It turns out that the word on the street was true, I found a lot of good deals. I saved a few bucks and I received excellent customer service to boot. Awesome. 

But then I did something out of character. I gave them my email address while I was checking out. I always hesitate when a sales person asks for it because I know I am opening the floodgates for more junk email. But this guy was nice and really helped me out, so I broke down and gave him my email address.

Sure enough, for the past few months I have been overrun with emails.

Buy Two, Get One Free!

Buy Three, Get Two Free!

Save on select sports coats and blazers!
Pants, Pants, Pants!!!

You're Invited to Our "VIP Only" Sale! (Is this the only way I get on a VIP list? Uhg.)

I am not sure what the actual frequency of these emails are, but my perception is that I get them all the time. At least two or three a week. Whatever it is, perception is reality and my perception is that it is WAY too much. I simply don’t need that many suits, ties and jackets. I mean really, how many weddings and funerals can one attend?

Today I finally had enough and instead of just deleting the latest email, I decided to opt-out of their mailing list. That’s when Jos. A. Bank impressed me. When I went to unsubscribe, I was also given the option to lower the frequency of the emails. Wow, you hardly ever see that. What a great move on their part.

Sure, I was getting sick of the constant barrage of emails, but I did like knowing about sales once in a while. So for me, this was perfect. Email me once a month, or maybe just every other week. I want to be kept in the loop, but I don't want to be stalked.

Email lists are so hard to build and even harder to maintain. These days, people seem to pay less attention to your message and more on the amount of times you contact them.  Many of them want to hear from you, just not so often.

I have no idea how many people change their mind from opting out completely and simply lower their frequency, but you have to give Jos. A. Bank credit for making an effort to retain the right to contact their customers. 

It doesn’t have to be “All or Nothing” if you give me a “Not So Much” option too.

Have you checked your inbox lately?