59 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
59 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

This subject line CROSSES the line

by AndrewHansen
47 replies
I've seen plenty of controversial subject lines for sales emails but I just read one that I think takes the cake from a VERY big and well respected marketer.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who got this email:

Subject line: "Andrew, Amber Alert On _____?!? Say It Ain't So..."

First paragraph:

Andrew,

An Amber Alert is issued immediately
when a child goes missing so the
community can help for a safe
recovery.

How would you respond to someone trying
to kidnap your baby?

yadda yadda yadda...

However, time is running out on this
extraordinary opportunity to

... start sales pitch.

I actually opened the email because I respect this guy so much that I thought he might be trying to help a child that had gone missing or something... or that there might have been a terror alert of some kind (not from the US, I don't know what all the different "alerts" are)...

That is a REALLY lame way to get an open, I don't care who you are.

Instant unsubscribe and massive loss of respect.

Andrew
#crosses #line #subject
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I would have unsubscribed, too - and, no, I don't care how good his "stuff" is. That is over the line of common decency.

    When you are willing to use ANYTHING to get your marketing emails opened - maybe it's time to look closely at what kind of business you are running.

    kay
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085033].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author AndrewHansen
      Kay,

      I know right! And I couldn't believe it coming from this dude who's obviously a decent copywriter, EVERYONE in IM knows him... like he had to resort to that kind of marketing to make a sale. So unnecessary.

      Ultimately I'm guessing someone else is sending out his emails now, but that's no excuse.

      Andrew
      Signature

      More Affiliate Marketing & SEO Strategy For Free Than Most Courses Will Give You If You Pay... http://andrewhansen.name

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085046].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MouseandMice
    Wow. That IS pretty insane.

    ... 'nuff said.
    Signature
    Forbes-Listed: "Ten Consultants Who Avoid the Bullsh*t"
    American Business Awards: Named one of their "Marketers of the Year"
    Plus: A Bunch of Other Awards and Media Placements
    Whatever.

    ***Click Here to Join My 86k+ Followers on Twitter***
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085035].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jason_V
    Andrew

    Amber Alerts are the same here in the U.S. too, a child missing. As a father, I can say, that's a really touchy issue, to use such a serious subject for something like an internet product. You should have emailed him at least and told him why you were unsubscribing maybe he honestly didn't know it would be seen so negatively.
    Signature
    "When you do something exactly wrong, you always turn up something."
    -Andy Warhol
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085047].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Jason_V View Post

      Andrew

      Amaybe he honestly didn't know it would be seen so negatively.
      We can't expect more brains than that from business owners? If he's that damned obtuse, I couldn't trust him to make a valuable product or to refer a credible one.
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085125].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Jason_V
        I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Something that sounds good and clever marketing wise to one person, won't know how the masses react to it unless they do some focus group study or just launch it.

        I mean, look at Absolut Vodka when they did that ad where they put a map up of the U.S. and Mexico and had Mexico taking up most of the Southwest U.S. People in the U.S. got up in arms over it. I don't think Absolut set out to intentionally make people angry. They thought it was clever and witty.

        I truly understand as a marketer why he chose that headline. It is clever, it is attention getting. As a dad, I don't appreciate it. He'll never know that he made an error, if people don't tell him they didn't appreciate it. Was it in poor taste, yes. Did he do it intentionally to make people upset, I highly doubt it.

        Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

        We can't expect more brains than that from business owners? If he's that damned obtuse, I couldn't trust him to make a valuable product or to refer a credible one.
        Signature
        "When you do something exactly wrong, you always turn up something."
        -Andy Warhol
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085176].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author FG
    There is a heck of a difference between a creative headline and a deceptive one.

    I hope that marketer reads this thread.

    Anyone who uses a fake warning in a headline to their list just to get it opened will themselves end up on the endangered list.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085092].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author AndrewHansen
      Sam, I don't know who wrote it or whether that marketer even outsources his email broadcasts, I'm only guessing that to be the case.
      Signature

      More Affiliate Marketing & SEO Strategy For Free Than Most Courses Will Give You If You Pay... http://andrewhansen.name

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085128].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Tacky, tasteless, and misleading.

    Why not just use the following subjet line, it means about the same thing...

    "I don't care what I say to get you to open this - I'm willing to sell my soul for a quick buck."

    It's almost guaranteed that people will start defending the subject line in the OP. Sorry, but it doesn't matter how "big" the marketer is, if he/she has a weird sense of humor, or whatever - it DOES cross the line, and does not fall under the umbrella of "marketing".

    All the best,
    Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085131].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Originally Posted by SamKane View Post

    Who's the copywriter?
    With all due respect, what difference does it make who wrote it?

    It could've been the best darn copywriter on the planet, but the responsibility for the message going out falls on the person who clicks the button to send it to their list.

    ~Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085147].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      With all due respect, what difference does it make who wrote it?

      It could've been the best darn copywriter on the planet, but the responsibility for the message going out falls on the person who clicks the button to send it to their list.

      ~Michael
      Because the person who wrote it is apparently the person who sent it. But your point doesn't make much sense anyway. Did the copywriter write the subject line because he didn't expect the sender to use it?

      Putting the lameness of the subject line aside, it's also a pointless subject line. It's a bait and switch. Sure, it might increase open rates, but I can't see how misleading people will increase sales/conversions.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085182].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author AndrewHansen
        Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat View Post

        Putting the lameness of the subject line aside, it's also a pointless subject line. It's a bait and switch. Sure, it might increase open rates, but I can't see how misleading people will increase sales/conversions.
        You're right, I don't know how it would improve conversion rates either.

        I know you didn't intend this meaning but I'm not a fan of that line of thinking either because it seems to carry the gentle implication that if it did increase conversions then he's a smart marketer although a little unethical.

        Andrew
        Signature

        More Affiliate Marketing & SEO Strategy For Free Than Most Courses Will Give You If You Pay... http://andrewhansen.name

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085330].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jared Alberghini
    This reminds me of this thread...

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ect-lines.html

    Originally Posted by Black Hat Cat View Post

    Putting the lameness of the subject line aside, it's also a pointless subject line. It's a bait and switch. Sure, it might increase open rates, but I can't see how misleading people will increase sales/conversions.
    Nor do I.
    Signature

    P.S.

    Join The Future: Telekinetic Marketing

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085215].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TiffanyLambert
    It's not always the subject lines either. Anyone else remember when a big marketer sent out an email a few years ago about how he was going to um errr. "do" the 9/11 widows?

    Unsubscribed and let everyone know how icky he was.
    Then took a shower after reading it.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1085648].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author acedalright
    Seriously there should be a name-and-shame website just for this kind of crappola, that would make people think twice about that sort of rubbish.

    If you're dishonest about email content then you're plain dishonest.

    I don't know if I'd be protecting his/her identity, but I'm checking my emails shortly to see if I didn't get that garbage.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086037].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew G Gowans
    Hi Andrew, thank you for this.

    I received the same email but didn't have the presence of mind that you did, to post your comments on the forum.

    At the end of the day I suppose it will depend on one's own values and beliefs as to how people will react to the email.

    I was saddened that such a prominent, respected, and successful marketer would lower their normal standards to the level of being distasteful.

    I only hope that those new to internet marketing who look to people such as this for inspiration and guidance read your comments and the comments of those who have also replied and are dissuaded from using similar marketing tactics.

    Heaven forbid that we end up subscribing to the offline PR industry's argument that all publicity is good publicity.

    Andrew G.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086042].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      I agree that it's way lame.

      However, if it was a real Amber Alert type message, I highly doubt they would have stated "say it ain't so". Rather they would have said something like "I really need your help", "please open immediately", or something along those lines.
      Signature
      "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
      ~ Zig Ziglar
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086508].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Maria Gudelis
    Yeah - think it questions the integrity of anything that person does now....how lame!
    Signature

    Brand NEW: How To Dominate Facebook SEO - LIVE Coaching - Closes SOON! Get In Now Click Here


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086511].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Randy Meirndorf
      Yes, totally inappropriate. Whats really sad is its probably the best click thru they've ever got.
      Signature

      Be who you want to become, every second of every day. Make it true!

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086526].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
    I must not be on that list...I didn't get that one.

    And I thought I was on them all.

    As the father of 4, I find it in very poor taste and judgment.
    Signature

    Are you protecting your on line business? If you have a website, blog, ecommerce store you NEED to back it up regularly. Your webhost will only protect you so much. Check out Quirkel. Protect yourself.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086538].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    I got this mail too... I dunno if he's a warrior or not, so I won't be mentioning his name..

    We don't have such a thing as "Amber Alert" here in the UK, I don't think.. but I certainly understood what the meaning was intended for ..

    Un-subscribed instantly here... thought it was pathetic.

    I have a gMail account for all newsletter subscriptions that I don't find important, upon checking that gMail account, I noticed this mail and opened it instantly to see if I could tweet the info for others to see.. only to find it was a shameless and pathetic ploy to get me to open the mail for a promotion...


    Peace

    Jay
    Signature

    Bare Murkage.........

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086547].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JOHN_RODRIGUEZ
    I agree with many of you.....I would have immediately unsubscribed.....whoever this particular marketer is, he is not someone I'd want to do business with.

    John
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086577].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TiffanyLambert
    Hope someone PMs me the name of this person - I either am not on the list or didn't pay attention to the email. I know names can't be named publicly, but I like to be informed.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086580].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Originally Posted by TiffanyDow View Post

      Hope someone PMs me the name of this person - I either am not on the list or didn't pay attention to the email. I know names can't be named publicly, but I like to be informed.

      We could do a rhyming exercise.
      Signature
      "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
      ~ Zig Ziglar
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086974].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author cypherslock
    ya know, outing the person is a good idea. That way the rest of us won't subscribe accidentally, or buy their products. My Gosh, I know that we, as marketers, as people that try to sell stuff to help others, are always looking for an "up" but this is unconscionably fiendish. Using something that is so serious for personal gain?!

    EPIC FAIL.

    If we could do a name and shame, if someone designs the site and back end, I'd host it...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086612].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Then
    If that marketer intend to have it as a 'test', he failed the test miserably...
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086688].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jagged
    I wonder if this was directly from him or if a "staff member or employee" of his made this blunder...
    To run the risk of distroying the trust his list has put into him.....you would think he should have know better...but maybe a lower rung employee (or ex-employee now) wouldn't...

    I too think this was a test...one that failed miserably!!

    JMO,
    Ken
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1086777].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DougBarger
    I may not know who it was but after reading that subject line,
    it looks like it was purely driven by getting that open.
    So we know it wasn't without reason
    or (rhyme).

    Even Fierce

    Tiffany would you pm me the 411 so I can be in the know too?

    At the risk of sounding still naive, you don't think it was some sort of publicity stunt to raise awareness and then later a fund raiser for finding missing children efforts?

    It's really got me wondering who it was and why they would do that now.
    Signature

    => Stay tuned...

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1087228].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by DougBarger View Post


      Even Fierce



      .
      Signature

      Bare Murkage.........

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1087454].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lisa Gergets
    I'd like to know as well, as I've been buying a hell of a lot of WSO's, software, etc. lately and that's just wrong on SO many levels...I don't want to purchase from them. A PM would certainly be appreciated.
    Signature
    Sign up to be notified when Success on Demand goes live, and receive a FREE mindmap that you can follow to create and launch your OWN IM PRODUCTS!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1087459].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Moffatt
    We got a poet in the house!
    Signature
    https://www.jasonmoffatt.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088073].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    About the only thing that email was worth was this.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088111].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SKWeaver
    I know we're not supposed to trash individuals in the forum, but I think there ought to be an exception for low-lifes like this. Totally lame and insensitive. I didn't get the e-mail (not very well-connected, I guess), but I'd really like to know who it is so I can stay away from him! Any brave soul want to PM me?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088276].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Originally Posted by SKWeaver View Post

      but I'd really like to know who it is so I can stay away from him!
      Even though it is a "him" in this case, it wouldn't have to be.
      Signature
      "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
      ~ Zig Ziglar
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088307].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author aquablue
        Very creepy and disturbing. I wonder how many unsubscribes he'll get as a result of this. Whether the sender is actually the author is irrelevant, he is still ultimately responsible for anything that bears his name. Thank you Andrew for taking a moral stand and bringing this up.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088345].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ricky Parker
    How will this thread end?

    1. Deleted and never existed

    2. Major back peddle

    3. Big apology followed by hand holding and Warrior Forum rendition of kumbaya
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088319].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Netbug
    That is really sad, I really feel for these people that are missing. The guy has no heart the only thing is thinking about is himself.

    You need to honest with email marketing it will get you a lot further. Plus if you are doing email marketing right it's the name that gets people the most to open your emails.

    What comes around goes around!

    God Bless + all those ones out there missing +
    Signature

    Internet Marketing Coaching Solid Content To Help You http://www.InternetMarketingTimothyBMiller.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088330].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Jason Moffatt
      Originally Posted by Netbug View Post

      That is really sad, I really feel for these people that are missing. The guy has no heart the only thing is thinking about is himself.

      You need to honest with email marketing it will get you a lot further. Plus if you are doing email marketing right it's the name that gets people the most to open your emails.

      What comes around goes around!

      God Bless + all those ones out there missing +
      I wouldn't go so far as to say this guy has no heart. We don't know the full story. I'm not condoning the subject line, or the behavior. I think it's terrible, but saying the guy has no heart is just not accurate.

      I do 100% understand unsubscribing the moment you saw it though.

      He's helped alot of people in this world, and has done some pretty admirable things. However, it's hell of confusing why that email would go out?
      Signature
      https://www.jasonmoffatt.com
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088349].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Big apology followed by hand holding and Warrior Forum rendition of kumbaya
      that one

      Probably that one, if he's a member....followed by a WSO (to thank us for understanding and forgiving- and to build that list a bit bigger).
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088357].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Jeremy Kelsall
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        that one

        Probably that one, if he's a member....followed by a WSO (to thank us for understanding and forgiving- and to build that list a bit bigger).
        lol

        "Amber Alert Marketing - How To Recover Lost Subscribers"

        I never saw the email and I'm trying to get my hands on a copy...anyone want to share?
        Signature
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088369].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author AndrewHansen
          Yeah i mean at the end of the day, I'm with Jason, I know the guy's not the scum of the earth. It was just irresponsible to let that email go out (or flat out lame if it was him who sent it) and I don't want to hear from him or buy from him ever again (actually I've never been a customer).

          And he's not going to appear on the forum to address this, no chance.
          Signature

          More Affiliate Marketing & SEO Strategy For Free Than Most Courses Will Give You If You Pay... http://andrewhansen.name

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088383].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author snapper
        There once was a marketer whose name rhymed with fierce
        Who sent out an email without much reason
        (Does that rhyme with Stephen)
        He had a large list
        Who became very pierced
        When he emailed them about
        Things unbelievan

        All Right - I know it is really poor, cheesy or whatever and
        I am under no illusions about earning a living writing limmericks.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088450].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    For the record, I stick by my original comments. However, it got me thinking, too.

    The thing is any one of us are constantly on that exact same edge.

    We can bust our humps for years to build a solid reputation - then a flash of "inspiration" hits us - we remember that we are supposed to act right away - then we wish there was such a thing as an "unsend button".

    I'm not suggesting it would be a mistake AS distasteful as the OP mentions, but all it takes is one or two seconds, or one bad decision to undo years of hard work.

    But, you can't let that fear stop you either.

    See, it's this type of stuff that all the IM naysayers will never understand. There's a lot more to it than just "selling".

    All the best,
    Michael
    Signature

    "Ich bin en fuego!"
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1088412].message }}

Trending Topics