Do you ever do this with autoresponder emails?

by Dayne Dylan Banned
10 replies
I've got a new 7 day email course I've setup. The emails are pretty detailed and multiple paragraphs of pure content.

I am thinking of sending them the email each day with a teaser about what that days lesson is, then give them a link BACK to my website with a html page with the content. This is a page on my main site which actually promotes the end product I'm trying to sell.

The advantage of doing the HTML page, I see, is that I'm exposing them very closely to the end product, and, I will also have links at the end of each lesson showing a link back to the previous day's lesson, and also a hint of what lesson is coming the next day.

So my question is this...

Is it better to send them to an HTML page with the content, or put it all in a long email instead?

Thoughts?
#autoresponder #emails
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Unclear. I suspect that, especially if you've actually promoted it as "an email course" and that's what people think they've opted in for, it may cause some surprise and possibly even some resentment to do it in the way you're suggesting. For me, it would depend on my assessment of whether anyone might feel that I'm not actually supplying exactly what I've "advertised".
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    • Profile picture of the author Dayne Dylan
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      Unclear. I suspect that, especially if you've actually promoted it as "an email course" and that's what people think they've opted in for, it may cause some surprise and possibly even some resentment to do it in the way you're suggesting. For me, it would depend on my assessment of whether anyone might feel that I'm not actually supplying exactly what I've "advertised".
      I disagree with you on this Alexa. Yes, stated as an email course, and actually it still is because the notificationn of the new lesson, and some intro info is sent via email. But I think readers would much rather read it nicely formatted in a clear and clean HTML page then in a bland text email. Also makes for less scrolling down.

      Now if the lessons were just a few paragraphs, I would keep it all in one email. But these are longer than that.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Chatman
    Originally Posted by Dayne Dylan View Post

    I've got a new 7 day email course I've setup. The emails are pretty detailed and multiple paragraphs of pure content.

    I am thinking of sending them the email each day with a teaser about what that days lesson is, then give them a link BACK to my website with a html page with the content. This is a page on my main site which actually promotes the end product I'm trying to sell.

    The advantage of doing the HTML page, I see, is that I'm exposing them very closely to the end product, and, I will also have links at the end of each lesson showing a link back to the previous day's lesson, and also a hint of what lesson is coming the next day.

    So my question is this...

    Is it better to send them to an HTML page with the content, or put it all in a long email instead?

    Thoughts?
    I think this is an excellent way of driving traffic back to your site my friend.

    Your offer states that it is an email course and it is... just not totally self contained in your email.

    What I would do is split test it to see if there are any differences in conversions vs unsubscribes.

    My hunch is that you are going to have better conversions doing it your way.

    J
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  • Profile picture of the author russells
    I've seen this done before. The person who owned the site had an opt-in and quite often send the traffic BACK to the blog. A great way to drive traffic. In fact, it was this strategy that helped get that site to 6-figure status.

    I'm on a list that does the same thing. Provides an intro then a link to the website itself where I can read the content.

    In my opinion, it's a great way to do it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Hi Dayne,

    If the lessons are intensive, or require lots of action, then a website has an excellent advantage over e-mail...easy bookmarking.

    Also, I think people act differently when they're in "e-mail mode" as opposed to being on a website. I see no problem sending people to a website for their lessons, especially if you are giving a brief overview in the message itself.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    "Ich bin en fuego!"
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  • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
    When I do a post I usually copy and paste the first couple of paragraphs into an email.

    Then I stick a link at the end for them to read the rest on my site.

    I don't see anything wrong with doing that with an email course.

    Of course, once you already have a few people signed up, you could send them an email asking which they prefer.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      Never under-estimate your subscriber's laziness.

      People want things delivered to them on a platter.

      Place all of the content in the e-mail and have a link to
      the full article on the website. That way, the subscriber
      can choose the path they prefer.

      I asked my mentor about the teaser in the e-mail vs
      content in the e-mail approach a few weeks ago and
      he told me that in the tests he's ran, the full content in
      the e-mail wins hands down - especially for product
      sales.

      Think about it...

      With the teaser in the e-mail, you're adding an additional
      action step which some people will not take so they don't
      benefit from your content or offers.

      For the right answer for your list though, test it and see.

      Dedicated to your success,

      Shaun
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      .

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      • Profile picture of the author thebitbotdotcom
        Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

        Never under-estimate your subscriber's laziness.

        People want things delivered to them on a platter.

        Place all of the content in the e-mail and have a link to
        the full article on the website. That way, the subscriber
        can choose the path they prefer.

        I asked my mentor about the teaser in the e-mail vs
        content in the e-mail approach a few weeks ago and
        he told me that in the tests he's ran, the full content in
        the e-mail wins hands down - especially for product
        sales.

        Think about it...

        With the teaser in the e-mail, you're adding an additional
        action step which some people will not take so they don't
        benefit from your content or offers.

        For the right answer for your list though, test it and see.

        Dedicated to your success,

        Shaun
        Much thanks for sharing that information. I know you probably paid for it. Additionally, I also provide an excerpt with a link to the web page. That being said, whenever I do a hard sell to the list, I will put it ALL in the email now...
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        Let Us Help You Develop Your Writing Skills!

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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          As a general rule, I agree with Shaun. Put it all in the email and provide a link to the nicely formatted version.

          I can think of at least one exception, though. If you are sending content which might trigger spam filters at the server level or junk filters at the reader program level, sticking to a teaser with a link might help with deliverability.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    I'm with Shaun on this one. Keep it as easy on the subscribers as possible to get all the info. Just make sure to prominently feature a link or two to your site.

    John
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