Goforsale’s last blog post..Better Operations Management?

Ethan – It’s so obvious, sometimes you have to wonder what people are thinking.

I think following the motto of ‘Respect and care for your visitors’ has much more benefits in the long run.

Eric Sanders’s last blog post..Defensive Voting

However, I have a big problem with having to give someone my email address in order to register for a site and then receiving emails about “their special offers” even before I’ve left their site – and then receiving them at timed intervals until I’m forced to “opt-out”.

I realize that there is a cost of doing business – and providing your email address is one of those costs. That being said, I’m much more likely to purchase anything, when I’m lovingly seduced than when I’m “slammed” with overpowering offers.

The beauty of the internet is that there are a million other places to go where someone will respect my rights and ask for permission to sell their wares.

When it comes to emails though – there certainly is a difference between “bombarding with special offers” and promoting products that genuinely align with the lists.

For example, I was hesitant about sending out a recent promotion to two of my lists. Well, within a few hours I had multiple emails from people thanking me.

It really helped me understand that as long as I am truly putting the subscribers first, then the rest will follow and that also means understanding the difference between “bombarded with special offers” and “promoting well aligned special offers.”

Of course with my lists it’s easier… the niche is spirituality – there’s not nearly as much spirituality offers to promote as say… “make money online.”

That’s why having a little PR machine going can be of big help. Befriend news reporters and get yourself on TV shows, etc.

Stephen Hopson’s last blog post..Walking Down Memory Lane on My Birthday

I guess that I am sensitive to this, because of the number of magazine publishers and marketing people who approach us about advertising in their publication.

To date, we have advertised in one publication. Advance for Physical Therapy which is our initial market. The results have been less than stellar, but okay. However, every time that we appear in a publication as a news story – Rotater sales soar.

My point – people don’t pay attention to crap that is stuffed in their faces and they do pay attention to the things that they find on their own.

I’m more likely to buy when I’m happy, not annoyed.

Seth Godin got it right that this is a permission marketing society. Barging in works no longer, it’s annoying. Good job!

Stephen Hopson’s last blog post..End of the Week Gratitude Theme #28