Interesting email tactic

[Dana_W]

I got an email from Perry Marshall asking if I would like to receive less email from him, or receive email every time that he has something important to say, with the caution that it might be as much as 3 to 5 times a day. And there was a link for each option, and then also the option to do nothing - if I'm happy with the way things are, just don't click on anything.

What the heck, I clicked on "hear from him whenever he has something important to say".

Now, I suspect this works better coming from a big name marketer like Perry Marshall, but it's also not a bad idea to try to interact with your list in this fashion and find out what they want.

That way, nobody can complain that they're getting too many emails from him!
(Oh wait. I'm counting on human common sense here. Of course people will still complain.)

Anyone else seen the email? What did you think?

[ChrisByrns]

When *I* get a mail like that, i'd SO unsubscribe.. i mean.. "important to say".. can be everything.
This tactic might work for the average Joe User, tho.

[JohnMcCabe]

That's one of the things I miss about the old-time email discussion/newsletter lists. The good ones had the option of getting new posts as they were made or getting them in batches in a single email. It was easy to switch back and forth to suit how busy you were...

[Jon2887]

That's an interesting idea, but I would be to worried that the person receiving the email about wanting more mail from me would cut the cord when its presented so easily to them.

[TheCren]

Originally Posted by Jon2887

That's an interesting idea, but I would be to worried that the person receiving the email about wanting more mail from me would cut the cord when its presented so easily to them.

In accordance with the CAN SPAM Act it's always presented easily to them - the unsubscribe link at the bottom. Plus, if they didn't want emails while they were on your list, then they weren't buyers and they were just taking up quality space. Building a list isn't really a big deal, building a quality list is the important thing.

[BrianMcLeod]

I got that mail today from Perry MARSHALL. Did Perry BELCHER send one too?

Smart list segmentation through infusionsoft as I see it.

A) Send MORE emails, any old time something comes to mind
B) Do nothing and receive the same thing you get now
C) Send LESS emails, only mail me once in a while

Here's Perry Marshall's message, which I thought clever and interesting:

Brian,

I need your feedback today. This will only take 10 seconds.

Some people hear from me almost every day.
Some people, maybe only once or twice a month.

Quick question for you:
Do you want more from me? Or less? Or keep it the same?

-I'm creating a special list for people who want to hear
from me ANY TIME I have something good to share.
There might occasionally be days when it's 3-5X.

If and only if you'd like to be on this list, click this link:

{link removed}
("Yes Perry send me emails any time you have
something on your mind - I want EVERYTHING")


-On the other hand, if you want to get LESS email
from me than you're getting now, click this link:

{link removed}
("Perry you're sending me too many emails, please
slow this train down")

If you like things as they are, don't do anything, just
go on to the next email in your inbox.

That's it for today- thanks.

Perry Marshall

[Maria Gudelis]

Thanks for including that email from perry Marshall...haven't opened up my emails yet so haven't seen it but very interesting tactic on segmenting...

[Frank Donovan]

Hi Dana

Paul Myers surveyed his subscribers a few months back to find out how frequently they wanted to receive his newsletter. Given the amount of readable content in Paul's emails, his was a valid question of time management.

Regarding the general question posed in the OP, if someone felt it was worthwhile being on a marketer's list in the first place, I'm just wondering why they wouldn't want to hear from that marketer whenever he believed he had "something important" to say. So, I'd do as you did.

In time, his subscribers will judge for themselves the actual importance of his musings.



Frank

[Craig Fenton]

Hi Dana:

Hope you are well tonight.

My own view is if the email comes from somebody that is giving and or selling quality content they can send multiple times per day but as you stated.....

There will always be human nature and even if the emails contain free gold somebody will unsubscribe. About a month ago somebody on the forum posted that they sent out 2 emails in 1 day and somebody unsubscribed. I believe the person has a large internet marketing presence and was bringing the situation to light.

The one issue that is sad still remains reading the famous quote "We hate spam as much as you do and will never sell, trade, or release your information." By the time you finish reading those words your in box has 1,256,789 messages and that doesn't even entail the ones that are in spam.

Have a great night!

[Dana_W]

Marshall, Belcher...details, details...

[Cosmo Demopoulos]

I found it interesting too.

Perry's messages tend to contain as much value as just about anyone else's. No endless "sign up for this thing through me even though you've already gotten 10 other emails from others about it" for example.

I said sure, bury me in email

[tdj]

I think Perry's emails are good. He generally has something worthwhile to say. I think it is all about time management and targeting. Perry swears by the 80/20 rule.

[Kalidasa]

I sent Perry a message saying that it would be interesting to hear how the 80/20 works out with this email. And, I signed up for the more frequent emails. He does offer a lot of value to his list. Now, I'm going to go unsubscribe to a bunch that I don't like so much, maybe 80 percent.

[JoeCool]

-I'm creating a special list for people who want to hear
from me ANY TIME I have something good to share.
There might occasionally be days when it's 3-5X.

Sounds like a smart way to turn a segment of your list into your own Twitter system.

If the process and psychology of Twitter is here to stay, expect a lot of the major players to ask what Perry has just asked.

Smart man.


Best Regards,
~ JoeCool

[Traffic-Bug]

That is a good idea. Set the frequency of the newsletter receipts limiting to say 3 a day, I get emails from some Rachel Long, that is one too many emails per day.

[Kay King]

Sounds like a smart way to segment your list into various "options" - people won't complain "too much" or "too little" emails received because they can choose (it involves them in the decision - very good).

I'd hate the pressure of having to have 3-5 great ideas in any one day

kay

[rsbedi]

Dana, I received an email, " A Legal Notice For Rajinder! (87 Packages LEFT)"

This email says, I may protect my business or don't. If I protect then I can sleep soundly at night.

When you don't protect your business,
one day, out of the blue, you get a
notice from a government agency about
issue with your website. -- They can
SHUT DOWN your website, issue a hefty
fine, take your car, your house, and
perhaps send you to jail.


My question is, is it ethical to do internet marketing in this fashion? Does it not amount to business by terrorizing?

Rajinder S Bedi

[JayXtreme]

I think Dr Mani recommended this tactic only last week here in a Warrior Forum thread about e-mail complaints.....

He basically said to do what Perry has done here

Dude's a genius (Dr. Mani), he recommends and peeps fall in line... w00t!

Peace

Jay

[igorhelpsyousucceed]

Hey Dana,

Thanks for the insight,
I think I will implement it in the
near future.

Igor

[BrianMcLeod]

Originally Posted by Maria Gudelis

Thanks for including that email from perry Marshall...haven't opened up my emails yet so haven't seen it but very interesting tactic on segmenting...

Your welcome, Maria.

Normally I wouldn't post somebody else's email like that... but I figured many Warriors are already on Perry's list(s).

Also it wasn't clear yet if the other Perry mentioned had sent out a different message.

One thing folks should take note of is the BREVITY of the message. Perry doesn't prattle on about WHY or anything else. And he sets up the message with a framing statement:

"this will take 10 seconds..."

...that makes you more inclined to participate in the requested action -- after all, it only takes 10 seconds, right?

I wonder if Perry is writing his emails or if this is one of his new guys. He just brought in a couple recently...

Best,

Brian

[Allen Lewis]

3-5 emails a day would be overkill.

But I guess you can sell any idea (even something as preposterous as sending 5 emails a day) with the right hypnotic wording.

Verdict: 2 emails a day AT MOST.

Allen

[Dana_W]

I generally find Perry's emails have interesting content, which is why I'm willing to get them more frequently. Yes, I named the wrong Perry in my original post on here but I fixed it.

I think one great psychological effect of sending out an email like this is that even if you have a big list it makes people feel like you are listening to them and interacting with them personally.

[mywebwork]

Hi Dana

I've always enjoyed Perry's e-mails, have been a fan of his since reading his excellent AdWords guide. I also received this e-mail and opted to get the "full meal deal".

I think this is a great idea. It gives the recipient a feeling of control and I'm sure it helps Perry segment his list and focus his marketing efforts. It's also nice to get a letter from a marketer who isn't trying to sell something, but rather wants to know what my preferences are.

Makes me feel special!



Bill

[MaxReferrals]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

... receive email every time that he has something important to say, with the caution that it might be as much as 3 to 5 times a day...

Hmmm, I smell a Twitter scent coming.

[alambains]

hey dana, thanks for the insight!!

[BrianMcLeod]

Originally Posted by Dana_W

Yes, I named the wrong Perry in my original post on here but I fixed it.

Bah. (hand waving it off...)

After trying to wake up your son, you were probably frazzled!

Heh...

I think one great psychological effect of sending out an email like this is that even if you have a big list it makes people feel like you are listening to them and interacting with them personally.

Absolutely.

Best to you Miss D,

Brian