A friend sent me an example of a marketing message that bombed. Here is how the email started:
Subject: directed me to you
Liz,
I was recently in contact with , who referred me to you. suggested that you would be in charge of evaluating a web conferencing service that helps reduce costs, increase productivity and drive sales.
In three places the writer left out the name of the referring contact–three!
We all make mistakes. But this national sales manager's mistake presented him as someone who lacks attention to detail–a bad quality for a person who sells expensive products and services. Even though the remainder of his message was fine, his beginning killed his chances of getting positive attention. He presented himself as a spammer.
If you use an automated emailing program or service to contact people, always run a test in which you send a message to only yourself. I send a monthly e-newsletter to over 9,500 subscribers. Before it goes out, I test it several times rather than distract thousands of people with any errors.
This month's e-newsletter features marketing techniques to use in your everyday business writing. If you don't yet receive the free newsletter, Better Writing at Work, subscribe here.
Have you received marketing messages that left you amused or miffed? Please share examples.
Lynn
Syntax Training