Why your market universe size dictates your strategy
One of the first questions I ask with new clients is how big is your market universe? Put another way, how many people in your market universe could actually buy this product or service? I ask this not to determine how big of a budget they will need – or how big of a...
Join me at the Direct Marketing Innovations Symposium – Monday, March 3
This coming Monday, March 3, I will be speaking at the New England Direct Marketing Association's (NEDMA) annual Direct Marketing Innovations Symposium at the Microsoft Iconic Center in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA. My 60-minute presentation - The Power of...
What I don’t understand about this failed email campaign
I just finished reading an article in B2B Online that provided insight on a failed email campaign by Level 3 Communications, a multi-national telecommunications company. Over a five-month period at the end of 2012, the company created and executed an email campaign to...
How do you qualify an inbound lead?
So you write a post, distribute it to your subscribers, share it on social media and then watch as visitors come to your blog or website and download your free report in return for their email address. This is how leads are generated through inbound marketing. The...
Sometimes I forget I’m a copywriter
Every year around this time as we approach the holiday season, I begin to assess my business direction for the past year to see what worked and how I might better invest time moving forward. Almost every year, I come to same conclusion: I spend a lot of time working...
Are you using lead magnets?
It almost goes without saying ... If you want to generate sales leads, you need to give people a reason to respond to your marketing promotions. And one very good way to do that is through the use of lead magnets. What is a lead magnet? No, it’s not something you...
When testing, try not to jump to conclusions
It’s only natural. When you look at the results of your testing, you always want to know why. Sometimes the test confirms your suspicions and you confidently boast your rationale. In other cases, the test surprises you and you start looking for other reasons why the...
Copywriting – Do you edit while you write?
I do. I'm ashamed to admit it. It’s a terrible habit for any copywriter. I’ve tried to kick the habit. I really have. At times, I'm successful. I go through periods when I can discipline myself to finish the copywriting before I start editing. But I am human. I...
How to create website content without a blog
I have a blog (you're reading it). I find it to be a good platform for writing articles like this one. Having a blog also serves as a built-in reminder that it’s time (or past time) to produce a new article. I know because I’ve been meaning to write this article for...
Build your message platform with the “persuasion hurdle”
When marketers and copywriters get together to develop a marketing promotion, it's a good idea to start with a message platform. Whether it’s a formal document or just a discussion, a message platform helps all parties get on the same page before too much time is...