Dear Friends,
I receive quite a few newsletters and daily or weekly tips on various subjects. One I received today really caught my attention because of the changes that took place yesterday on Adland. I'd like to share it with you.
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The Law of Avoiding Oversell states: "When putting cheese in the mousetrap, always leave room for the mouse."
--from Max Steingart
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I've learned a lot in a relatively short period of time here at Adland. The first thing I learned was that the most effective way of connecting with people was to communicate on a variety of subjects, and let people get to know who you are before you try to sell them something. In fact, I started enjoying connecting with people and learning so much that I have almost forgotten to market! (If you want to know what I promote, there's a link in my signature to a forum I set up for My Offers. I don't send thread notifications out for that forum...I figure if you want to know, you'll go and look. I do periodically add or update a thread.)
When the new Adlander membership level opened up yesterday, I was one of the first 100 to sign up. Yep, got the special deal, got the new features. One of those is a feature that allows us to send directly to your private email one message a day, as I understand it. Now, this isn't your AdlandPro Personal Networking email...it goes directly to your personal, private email inbox. Don't worry, we don't get to know what that address is, but we can still SPAM you at least once, and that's what I want to talk about.
Suddenly yesterday, there were fewer forum invitations due to the new limits, but those were soon replaced by people who were sending me "Join My Program" and "Buy My Stuff" emails. What are they thinking? Have the lessons of forums not sunk in?
For the record, friends, when I want your stuff I'll come to you. When I want to join your programs, I'll contact you about it. I know what you sell, I can get to it through your profile. Please don't spam me!
Does this mean I won't use this new tool? Probably not. Two of my friends sent emails offering something of value for free. Those I responded to, not because the 'stuff' was free, but to support my friends in their superior marketing efforts. When I have finished preparing something to offer you that is of real value without a direct "Buy My Stuff, Join My Program" approach, you'll probably hear from me.
In the meanwhile, I'll be paying closer attention to whether there's an opt-out feature for emails from certain individuals. Not only will I want to use it, I'll want you to have it in case YOU don't want emails from ME.
To end on a positive note, once more I'd like to thank
Clay Page for teaching me, through his forum
The Science of Advertising, how to set up a series of forums as I have done. Find the first post "Start Here" and follow the links to each in turn. I'm well pleased with what I've been able to create here, and have received many compliments on it. I have Clay to thank for it.
I have more people to thank, but I'm now late for a meeting. Will thank the rest in a new thread later.
Cheri