Offline genius "Thank You" emails...

11 years ago

Originally Posted by kbayer63

we are each down about 50 lbs ...

If you fast one day a week, you've effectively cut 1/7 of your calories out of your weekly intake. Fast 2 days a week... which is what we have been doing, eating normally (sometimes even crazy) and the weight from Monday to next Monday always shows at least -3 lbs.

No doubt that not consuming excess calories like you may have used to will help lose weight at first but the problem is when you fast, depending on your metabolic rate, your body will start digesting lean tissue for energy. So that 3 lbs per week you're losing is part fat, part water and here's the bad part: part muscle. What you really want to lose is just the fat. You'll end up as what's known as "skinny fat" - weighing less but still with a high percentage of body fat.

As crazy as it sounds, you need to eat regularly to avoid burning lean tissue. Eat small meals regularly. When you divide up your total calories (comprised of protein, good carbs and healthy essential fats) for the day into multiple small meals, three things happen: 1. You'll more efficiently burn those calories for energy and so, not store them as fat as is typically the case when people get hungry by dinner time after not eating for many hours, then eat a big dinner and overload compared to what they actually need, 2: your metabolism will rise because your body will be working like an engine digesting food throughout the day and so you'll actually burn more calories simply by the virtue of eating, and 3. You won't have any opportunity to get hungry at all because you'll be having your next meal or healthy snack every three to four hours!

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kbayer63

11 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

No doubt that not consuming excess calories like you may have used to will help lose weight at first but the problem is when you fast, depending on your metabolic rate, your body will start digesting lean tissue for energy. So that 3 lbs per week you're losing is part fat, part water and here's the bad part: part muscle. What you really want to lose is just the fat. You'll end up as what's known as "skinny fat" - weighing less but still with a high percentage of body fat.

As crazy as it sounds, you need to eat regularly to avoid burning lean tissue. Eat small meals regularly. When you divide up your total calories (comprised of protein, good carbs and healthy essential fats) for the day into multiple small meals, three things happen: 1. You'll more efficiently burn those calories for energy and so, not store them as fat as is typically the case when people get hungry by dinner time after not eating for many hours, then eat a big dinner and overload compared to what they actually need, 2: your metabolism will rise because your body will be working like an engine digesting food throughout the day and so you'll actually burn more calories simply by the virtue of eating, and 3. You won't have any opportunity to get hungry at all because you'll be having your next meal or healthy snack every three to four hours!

Great summation! Those were my exact beliefs for years... I was heavily into bodybuilding about 20 years ago, and eating every 2-3 hours was THE golden rule. However, studies have shifted dramatically over the years -- not just by the nutritional "experts" that head the food supplement companies and possibly skew their findings, but by leading medical facilities and universities as well. Much of the studies are shared in the book mentioned above. A lot of the newer "Intermittent Fasting" programs that you hear about (just google that term) are based on these findings. The core takeaway for us is the the metabolism doesn't "slow" after several hours of fasting, plus in almost every case, growth hormone levels rise, helping to preserve muscle tissue while in a calorie restricted state. Of course, there's much more to the science behind it, but bottom line for us -- it works for us and is ridiculously simple to follow.

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dmaster555

11 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

No doubt that not consuming excess calories like you may have used to will help lose weight at first but the problem is when you fast, depending on your metabolic rate, your body will start digesting lean tissue for energy. So that 3 lbs per week you're losing is part fat, part water and here's the bad part: part muscle. What you really want to lose is just the fat. You'll end up as what's known as "skinny fat" - weighing less but still with a high percentage of body fat.

As crazy as it sounds, you need to eat regularly to avoid burning lean tissue. Eat small meals regularly. When you divide up your total calories (comprised of protein, good carbs and healthy essential fats) for the day into multiple small meals, three things happen: 1. You'll more efficiently burn those calories for energy and so, not store them as fat as is typically the case when people get hungry by dinner time after not eating for many hours, then eat a big dinner and overload compared to what they actually need, 2: your metabolism will rise because your body will be working like an engine digesting food throughout the day and so you'll actually burn more calories simply by the virtue of eating, and 3. You won't have any opportunity to get hungry at all because you'll be having your next meal or healthy snack every three to four hours!

This is completely wrong. What you just posted is old information based on myths that came from conclusions of misinterpreted studies. Kbayers diet has Been proven consistently to be fine even for those wanting to build muscle. There are even bodybuilders on this diet (all they do is adjust caloric intake/macros accordingly), but still follow the premise of the diet to stay lean.

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misterme

11 years ago

I understand you're trying to cash in on the current resurgence in popularity of intermittent fasting and sell some miracle noodles, and I have no issue with that. Yet how the body metabolizes fuel hasn't changed in all these years - why you guys want to claim it's been incorrect all these years only makes it look like you're marketing the IF diet, really - because the fact remains there's no hard findings that make intermittent fasting any more effective than if someone were already eating a moderate calorie, low carb, healthy diet. It's still very much the prevalent wisdom to eat clean, eat smart, portion control and take small meals throughout the day. There's no advantage to going hungry for the sake of avoiding any calories when you eat correctly all the time anyway. In fact, in studies where overweight people did eat clean and lower carb for a couple of days during the week, they sustained weight loss too, just as you're reporting by fasting a couple of days during the week. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

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Ron Lafuddy

11 years ago

" There's no advantage to going hungry for the sake of avoiding any calories when you eat correctly all the time anyway."

Common sense and zero hype. Thanks, misterme.

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kbayer63

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Ron Lafuddy

" There's no advantage to going hungry for the sake of avoiding any calories when you eat correctly all the time anyway."

Common sense and zero hype. Thanks, misterme.

Eating correctly ALL the time is... ummm.... boring. Who here does that, lol? That's uncommon sense and zero possibility (unless you'd like to really, really loosen up the reigns on the word "correctly").

Thanks
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Greg guitar

11 years ago

Originally Posted by kbayer63

Eating correctly ALL the time is... ummm.... boring. Who here does that, lol? That's uncommon sense and zero possibility (unless you'd like to really, really loosen up the reigns on the word "correctly").

I think loosening up the standards for "correct" eating would be a much better idea than alternating between unhealthy or over-eating and starving oneself.

I think the misterme's general intent is right on; eat rationally (as much as possible; no need for perfection), every day; don't have days of self-sabotage, followed by days of total self-denial/starving of the body.

Thanks
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ScottyM2

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Greg guitar

I think loosening up the standards for "correct" eating would be a much better idea than alternating between unhealthy or over-eating and starving oneself.

I think the misterme's general intent is right on; eat rationally (as much as possible; no need for perfection), every day; don't have days of self-sabotage, followed by days of total self-denial/starving of the body.

Yep, that would be ideal. I guess. So simple. Why didn't anyone else on the planet think of that? So many years of crazy dieting, diet foods, supplements, surgeries, psychological profiles, physical exams, cardio plans, exercises, dvd's and workout classes, personal trainers, avoiding sugar, eliminating carbs and high fructose corn syrup, artificial sugars... we could just follow the suggestion that you have outlined above and bypass all that nonsense.

Then you could reframe and redefine the word "starvation" and "self-denial" and decide what that means to you and what that means to a sumo wrestler and what that means to someone who is happy to have one meal every other day.

But enough of all that quibble. Obviously everyone is passionate about their own views on diet and exercise and I've seen how supposed EXPERTS can twist ANY study to support or deny ANY outsome... so who knows.

As for the original intent of this thread -- sharing the email... I think it's awesome, minus the word-for-word copying part, of course.

Thanks
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Greg guitar

11 years ago

Originally Posted by ScottyM2

Yep, that would be ideal. I guess. So simple. Why didn't anyone else on the planet think of that? So many years of crazy dieting, diet foods, supplements, surgeries, psychological profiles, physical exams, cardio plans, exercises, dvd's and workout classes, personal trainers, avoiding sugar, eliminating carbs and high fructose corn syrup, artificial sugars... we could just follow the suggestion that you have outlined above and bypass all that nonsense.

Then you could reframe and redefine the word "starvation" and "self-denial" and decide what that means to you and what that means to a sumo wrestler and what that means to someone who is happy to have one meal every other day.

But enough of all that quibble. Obviously everyone is passionate about their own views on diet and exercise and I've seen how supposed EXPERTS can twist ANY study to support or deny ANY outsome... so who knows.

As for the original intent of this thread -- sharing the email... I think it's awesome, minus the word-for-word copying part, of course.

I agree with you completely on the last point; it is a brilliant letter.

Your sarcasm is misdirected though. I didn't remotely imply I was the only one on the planet to have thought of eating rationally (obviously exercise is needed too; and that too is unoriginal); in fact I mentioned that I was merely amplifying another person's point; that rather than alternate days of total indulgence with total self-denial (food-wise), one should make a reasonable attempt to eat rationally every day.

As for your list of "nonsense" to "bypass", I said nothing about any of those things being nonsense; some of them are and some aren't. Eliminate carbs and you're going to have serious health problems; eliminate corn syrup and you're going to be much healthier than the average American who sucks that poison down multiple times a day.

Far from trying to be original; I always repeat the same boring things everyone already knows when any discussion of people trying to lose weight comes up; most people want some new insight or a miracle diet, or pill or other silver bullet, but the basics don't change: if you eat healthy, fresh foods in reasonable amounts (perfection is not implied), and exercise daily, you will not be fat. People should stop obsessing about weight loss, and think instead about eating for energy and health (including the health of the planet, which would eliminate a lot of over-packaged food); if you eat and exercise every day for health; weight loss takes care of itself.

Thanks

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dmaster555

11 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

I understand you're trying to cash in on the current resurgence in popularity of intermittent fasting and sell some miracle noodles, and I have no issue with that. Yet how the body metabolizes fuel hasn't changed in all these years - why you guys want to claim it's been incorrect all these years only makes it look like you're marketing the IF diet, really - because the fact remains there's no hard findings that make intermittent fasting any more effective than if someone were already eating a moderate calorie, low carb, healthy diet. It's still very much the prevalent wisdom to eat clean, eat smart, portion control and take small meals throughout the day. There's no advantage to going hungry for the sake of avoiding any calories when you eat correctly all the time anyway. In fact, in studies where overweight people did eat clean and lower carb for a couple of days during the week, they sustained weight loss too, just as you're reporting by fasting a couple of days during the week. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

The one fact to take away is one diet doesn't fit all and if a diet is working fine for someone, there's no need to try to sway them the other way. Adherence is key. There's enough research to show an intermittent fasting diet is not harmful metabolically and can have the same end result as the standard low carb diet that many praise.

It's just down to preference. There is no "this diet is the right way". As long as the macronutrients and calories are in check, you can eat at any schedule. If IF diet feels forced or like they're starving then ill be the first to tell someone it's not for them.

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kbayer63

11 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

I understand you're trying to cash in on the current resurgence in popularity of intermittent fasting and sell some miracle noodles, and I have no issue with that. Yet how the body metabolizes fuel hasn't changed in all these years - why you guys want to claim it's been incorrect all these years only makes it look like you're marketing the IF diet, really - because the fact remains there's no hard findings that make intermittent fasting any more effective than if someone were already eating a moderate calorie, low carb, healthy diet. It's still very much the prevalent wisdom to eat clean, eat smart, portion control and take small meals throughout the day. There's no advantage to going hungry for the sake of avoiding any calories when you eat correctly all the time anyway. In fact, in studies where overweight people did eat clean and lower carb for a couple of days during the week, they sustained weight loss too, just as you're reporting by fasting a couple of days during the week. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

Obviously, the power will lie in whatever belief system you choose to follow and uphold. Mine is currently on IF...
And by the way, I don't disagree with you. I've followed many plans over the years in my efforts over the years (at first to "get ripped" back in the bb days, but now, just to stay lean in my 50's...), and I'm just saying that IF is and has been the easiest plan to follow for me.

That's what led to the noodles.
That's what led to the Thank You note.
That's what led to me sharing on this thread.

No sales or money or anything coming to me because of it. Didn't realize the steps leading up to it would become a discussion. Wow.

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fandbworld

11 years ago

Lol both diet works. All depends on what you are able to follow. Pretty much any diet can work if you actually follow it correctly. And there are conflicting studies on both. In my opinion IIFYM is the best way to diet. Would have tons of people against that and tons for it. I know first hand how well it works on myself and my clients (I own a personal training business)

Just do what works for you, which seems to be what you are doing!

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Vikuna2009+

11 years ago

Originally Posted by kbayer63

Ok... my wife and I have started diet #5 for this year. Though we have been diet-jumping like fools, we are each down about 50 lbs since January. Progress is being made.
For the record, the easiest so far has been "Eat Stop Eat" by Brad Pilon. The concept is simple. If you fast one day a week, you've effectively cut 1/7 of your calories out of your weekly intake. Fast 2 days a week... which is what we have been doing, eating normally (sometimes even crazy) and the weight from Monday to next Monday always shows at least -3 lbs. That's the concept. His book explains all the science behind it and why it works so well.

Anyway -- we recently stumbled onto a special product called Miracle Noodles. What's special? They have zero calories.

We were skeptical, did some research and though the reviews are mixed (to say the least), we placed an order... and we're now repeat customers.

What inspired this thread are the cool "Thank You" emails we receive after each order. they tickle me so much that I forward them to others... and of course, a few of them will curiously visit that site and maybe... just maybe... place an order.

It's a different kind of viral, huh?

Anyway, what better place to share this than here. Just something to consider when you are delivering 1st class customer service and may want to even go over the top just a weeee bit more.

Here's their short, clever, wonderfully delightful "Thank You" email to me:

"Hello KBayer,
Your noodles from order (233***) have been gently taken from our highly secured warehouse with cotton gloves and placed onto a satin pillow.
Our team of employees inspected your Miracle Noodles and polished the labels to make sure they were in the best possible condition before mailing.
Our packing specialist from Japan lit a candle and a hush fell over the crowd as he put your Miracle Noodles into the finest box that money can buy.
We all had a wonderful celebration afterwards and the whole party marched down the street to the post office where the entire town of Chatsworth waved 'Bon Voyage!' to your package, on its way to you, in our private Miracle Noodle jet on this day, (9/16/2013 11:04:00 AM).
I hope you had a wonderful time shopping at Miracle Noodle. We sure did. Your picture is on our wall as "Customer of the Year". We're all exhausted but can't wait for you to come back to MiracleNoodle.com!!
Shipped Via Carrier Priority Mail, Medium Flat Rate Box
Shipping Tracking Number ***

Warm Regards,
The Miracle Noodle Team
(Inspired by Derek Sivers)"

Hopefully this will generate an idea or two for some of you! :p

It sure inspired me, lol, Eva

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Khemosabi

11 years ago

@kbayer63

I loved the thank you note! I get the original intention of the post!

I had a restaurant during the "Adkins" craze... oh..my..gosh!~ People swore by it, made me make a "sandwich" with no bread. How the heck to you want me to melt your cheese? What a pain in the ass....

Anyhow, diets are always trends. The word diet alone equates (in most minds) as to something temporary. I would never take one of my horses, if they were getting heavy, and starve them a couple of times a week, or even one! I'd simply cut down on their feed until they reached a better weight, then maintain that amount of feed.

I also would never run my vehicle out of gas and expect it to drive me to the store the next day.

You (perhaps you have, I don't know) should also consider your sugar levels. Dieting like you mentioned can and does cause your body to be more reseptive to diabeties.

I used to go for more than a day without eating. I was so busy and stressed, I was never hungry! I paid the price!! Just because someone put it in writing does not make it right! Adkins again, a lot of people suffered liver problems.

I don't think I'd ever eat anything labeled "magic"... I'm still not over trying Pop Rocks!

Again, great "Thank you" letter! I wish you the best!

~ Theresa

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Rags2Richs 11 years ago

Sounds like good "horse sense" to me!
- Thanks
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iAmNameLess

11 years ago

Really? Diet debate? It is simple... consume more calories than you burn, you gain weight.

Now for the real point of the thread... that's a pretty awesome thank you note. I wonder how many people here actually send thank you notes to their customers or even thank them for buying from you.

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Claude Whitacre

11 years ago

The Thank You Note was originally used by CDBaby.com, maybe 15 years ago.
This note is nearly a word for word adaptation. And it works brilliantly.

The note from CDBaby was printed and included in the box they shipped.

Very well written note.

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kbayer63

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

The Thank You Note was originally used by CDBaby.com, maybe 15 years ago.
This note is nearly a word for word adaptation. And it works brilliantly.

The note from CDBaby was printed and included in the box they shipped.

Very well written note.

Well, I hate to find that it was copied, but the concept is still pretty awesome.

Thanks

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KingOfContentMarketing

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

The Thank You Note was originally used by CDBaby.com, maybe 15 years ago.
This note is nearly a word for word adaptation. And it works brilliantly.

The note from CDBaby was printed and included in the box they shipped.

Very well written note.

Good eye. Here it is:

The Most Successful E-mail I Ever Wrote

http://searchengineland.com/how-cdba...e-e-mail-84357

At least the Noodles peeps credited Derek Sievers, but holy moly, it's a direct rip--that's a little more than "inspired by."

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Claude Whitacre

11 years ago

Originally Posted by joe golfer

Good eye. Here it is:

The Most Successful E-mail I Ever Wrote

How CDBaby Built 20,000 Citations With One E-Mail

At least the Noodles peeps credited Derek Sievers, but holy moly, it's a direct rip--that's a little more than "inspired by."

I think it's great that someone is using the idea in an e-mail.
The idea doesn't have to be original to be brilliant. I'm glad I was reminded of this. Now, I'll try to think of a way to use the "Thank you card" myself.

That was serious. Now for the part where I'm incredibly witty.

About dieting; They don't work. For a three month period, I drank diet shakes every day, and didn't loose any weight. I mean 15 or 16 diet shakes every day. It was hard to keep that many down...and I actually gained weight.
Proof diet drinks don't work

Thanks

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Aaron Doud

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

The Thank You Note was originally used by CDBaby.com, maybe 15 years ago.
This note is nearly a word for word adaptation. And it works brilliantly.

The note from CDBaby was printed and included in the box they shipped.

Very well written note.

I was trying to remember the company that seemed to have pioneered this method. Thanks for the share.

Thanks

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Khemosabi

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

The Thank You Note was originally used by CDBaby.com, maybe 15 years ago.
This note is nearly a word for word adaptation. And it works brilliantly.

The note from CDBaby was printed and included in the box they shipped.

Very well written note.

Dang it Claude! You always have to take the "magic" out of everything!!

:p

Next thing you're going to tell me is wrestling isn't real...

~ Theresa

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Aaron Doud

11 years ago

"private CD Baby jet" = 105,000 results now.

And who knows how many times it has been shared in email and etc that don't show up.

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Jason Kanigan

11 years ago

My goodness, I must be the only person on the planet this email doesn't work on.

I find it pandering, manic, over-the-top and UNTRUTHFUL.

You actually expect me to believe that every customer is "Customer of the Year"?? I rolled my eyes while reading this in the morning. My internal response is "What Bull***."

I realize it's supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, but the fact that it works by appealing to the egos of so many readers astonishes me. This must be the part of the public that I just don't "get".

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Claude Whitacre

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan

My goodness, I must be the only person on the planet this email doesn't work on.

I find it pandering, manic, over-the-top and UNTRUTHFUL.

You actually expect me to believe that every customer is "Customer of the Year"?? I rolled my eyes while reading this in the morning. My internal response is "What Bull***."

I realize it's supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, but the fact that it works by appealing to the egos of so many readers astonishes me. This must be the part of the public that I just don't "get".

I think it goes to consistency. If you are dead serious throughout the sale, and then try to be whimsical at the end, you confuse people.

But if the message were delivered with a couple smiley faces, and you were tongue in cheek the whole way through, it would be endearing.

Remember, originally these were music CDs delivered to music lovers. It's all about context.

I see where it may lose something in an e-mail.

But when I first read it, years ago, I thought it was cute...then I realized what it accomplished...telling friends about this weird note and company.

It was like opening a box, and getting a cupcake with a lit candle on it.

Surprise!

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umc

11 years ago

Just wanted to congratulate the OP on losing weight. The honest truth, as I see it, is that it doesn't matter how you do it as long as you aren't hurting anyone and you'll do it. Kind of like marketing. The best method is the one that you'll actually do and stick with. There are always new ways, better ways, etc., but if you won't stick with them, who cares.

I also appreciated the sharing of the "Thank You" email. I've heard it before from the CD Baby era as well, but many haven't, and it is a helpful share. If nothing else, it makes us all think about how we follow up with our customers. We've sent "thank you" cards out to our customers before with great response, though they were more heartfelt and less whimsical. Again, what matters is that you do it, not the exact wording or details as much.

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misterme

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan

I find it pandering, manic, over-the-top and UNTRUTHFUL.

You actually expect me to believe that every customer is "Customer of the Year"?? I rolled my eyes while reading this in the morning. My internal response is "What Bull***."

I realize it's supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, but the fact that it works by appealing to the egos

I don't believe that's the principle it works on.

I believe it's about the light hearted humor.

And with emails, you can't just crack a joke.
It might be taken the wrong way.
So when you use humor in written word, in an otherwise offical business use, you have to be over the top so that it's obvious that it's all in good fun.

Originally Posted by umc

Just wanted to congratulate the OP on losing weight. The honest truth, as I see it, is that it doesn't matter how you do it as long as you aren't hurting anyone

I used to think that too but the truth is not all weight loss is equal. And so, it can hurt the dieter. Here's something you may not realize. People think as long as they see lower numbers on the scale they're doing fine. But it's misleading. Fact is, if their diet is causing them to lose a good portion of lean tissue/muscle and very little fat, that's not going to be beneficial.

For example from my own personal results, had a week where I lost one pound... but it turns out I actually lost two pounds of lean tissue and gained one pound of fat. You can easily see that continuing whatever I was doing wrong wouldn't be the best course, yet if I only relied on looking at the total number, not considering how I lost the weight, I would mistakenly think I was doing okay.

Conversely, I had a week where I lost a total of three pounds, which represented an actual gain of two pounds of muscle and burned off five pounds of fat. This result achieved because it does matter how you diet.

By the way, the reason people lose lean tissue is that the body needs energy, and when it's not getting what it needs from food, it gets it from what's stored in the body. It goes for the lean tissue and starts to cannibalize it. The body's said to be in "starvation mode." Your body looks to survive and believes it's not getting food, so it does what it must to derive energy.

Eating regularly helps prevents this and just as importantly, eating right helps minimize that and can point the body to burn more of its fat stores instead. I don't care what the OP thinks or declares, the science on this is proven, and the fact is fasting for a day or two can be enough to trip the body into this "starvation" mode if you're not eating sufficiently and taking in the calories you need. Simply put: Your body doesn't know you're fasting intentionally so as to say "ok, we'll hold off burning up some lean tissue for now". All it knows is it needs energy, needs it right now, and will get it where it can.

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ScottyM2

11 years ago

Originally Posted by misterme

...the science on this is proven, and the fact is fasting for a day or two can be enough to trip the body into this "starvation" mode if you're not eating sufficiently and taking in the calories you need. Simply put: Your body doesn't know you're fasting intentionally so as to say "ok, we'll hold off burning up some lean tissue for now". All it knows is it needs energy, needs it right now, and will get it where it can.

I would say that's old school thinking, but only because I'm at Rice University and the coaches here have been backing the intermittent fasting route for the 2 years I've been here, and probably before that. Some are following it, some are just doing their own thing. We went and heard this guy's seminar Intermittent Fasting 101 - Roman Fitness Systems and have to say there were some paradigms a'shifting on that day. He mentioned Brad Pilon and referenced his work, and at the time, the guy that plays Wolverine and also The Rock were in the media getting alot of press since they were deep into IF as well -- not to sell programs or memberships, obviously.
I'm sure you'll attribute their success to other things, but my point is that it's a very real lifestyle based on some very real data. Lots of fasting going on in the world. Everyone's got their reasons for it. Just let it be.

Thanks

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misterme

11 years ago

Originally Posted by kbayer63

No sales or money or anything coming to me because of it. Didn't realize the steps leading up to it would become a discussion. Wow.

OK, but I was hoping to make you say, "sheesh."

It's just that your first post sure did an awful lot of "here's my story how I lost weight and then I found this" type of stuff just to introduce a thank you note instead of just putting up the thank you note and going from there, you know? So that smacked of an implied endorsement of the noodles. Don't blame me for thinking and inferring that from a post from a marketer, OK? I'm only the recipient of the message, not its author.

Yeah, nice thank you card. I've done something like that too, even before I knew Derek Sivers did it. I first became aware of Derek around 2007 when an artist friend of mine liked a piece of music I had written and asked me to record some music for his site. He loved it so much that when he had an exhibition at an art gallery in Seattle, he told them about me and they commissioned me to write, perform and record a CD which they played throughout the exhibition and sold copies. As part of the deal I also got copies to sell myself so I got an account on CD Baby and they've been selling internationally ever since then, mostly through downloads. He built one amazing business.

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NewParadigm

11 years ago

I personally found that thank you email patronizing and insincere. I do think thank you's are effective and the right thing to do, but prefer a genuine sincere one.

A hand written thank you card along w/ the package or mailed separately right after does miracle wonders. Especially for high value clients. People remember that for days, weeks, months, and years. Yeah its a pain to write them and adds cost to mail, but it is truly priceless, especially looking at lifetime value of repeat customers.

for diet/exercise, the paleo stuff is very effective for me. I follow Mark's Daily Apple. Really great stuff, easy to understand and informative.

Thanks
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Greg guitar

11 years ago

Originally Posted by NewParadigm

I personally found that thank you email patronizing and insincere. I do think thank you's are effective and the right thing to do, but prefer a genuine sincere one.

A hand written thank you card along w/ the package or mailed separately right after does miracle wonders. Especially for high value clients. People remember that for days, weeks, months, and years. Yeah its a pain to write them and adds cost to mail, but it is truly priceless, especially looking at lifetime value of repeat customers.

for diet/exercise, the paleo stuff is very effective for me. I follow Mark's Daily Apple. Really great stuff, easy to understand and informative.

The letter is obviously insincere, but as someone else pointed out, is over the top enough to come across as humor. In this case, insincerity is okay.

It is not an example of a great thank you note; but you have to remember; it was written for an occasion where any thank you note is kind of excessive anyway; the sale of a music CD.

What it is a great example of is a way to stand out and use the opportunity of shipping to get yourself stuck in the memory of someone who would otherwise forget about you completely between such minor transactions. It succeeds with flying colors.

Thanks

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Jack Gordon

11 years ago

Just got my Miracle Noodles in the mail today. Not bad! I paired paired them with some Walden Farms zero-calorie marinara sauce.

Noodles = 0 calories
Sauce = 0 calories

Dinner tonight = 32 calories (I had a plum for dessert)

Bought them over Amazon though, so no thank you note

Thanks

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BlueIndigo

11 years ago

When my wife gets om her low carb kick, we usually have these noodles every night with chicken breast. Pretty much the only diet change we make. She'll add in some cardio and mild weightlifting. and it's usually good for an almost effortless 10-20 lb drop in a month or two. It's not the noodles that make you lose weight, but it's part of the system we put in place and it def makes it easier and makes the otherwise bland chicken breast (sometimes tuna) more tolerable. We did some fasting several months ago when we saw the Hugh Jackman interview onYoutube. Of course we did a bit more research before trying it. We didn't cut calories, just fasted 24 hrs twice a week as in the Brad Pilon method. Mind you, that's like eating at noon, then stopping until noon the next day, so you're not going a day without food at any point. We did that on Tues and Friday. It's amazing how good you feel the next day. And yes, we got a tickle out of the thank you note as well, regardless of who came up with it.

Thanks

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Offline genius "Thank You" emails...

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