The Votes Are In: I'm a Jerk
Late last night, with a Geary's Hampshire Ale in my hand, I sent out what I thought was a funny email to my Maine contacts with the subject line: "You Won't Be Hearing from Me Again!"
It continued in that snarky vein, trying in vain to explain that I didn't want to fill people's email boxes with emails they didn't want. If you want to be alerted to Web marketing classes or events to please sign up for our new email newsletter, "flyte's web marketing alerts."
So far I've received two negative replies about my attitude, one distressed email from a contractor who thought I was firing her, and an apologetic email from a prospect who thought I was angry because she hadn't made a buying decision yet.
Yikes.
Marketing and advertising should never be dull, but perhaps I was a little too flippant with this particular campaign. I'm not alone these days.
Now I just need to decide if sending out a mea culpa email would be the right thing to do, or just add fuel to the fire.
Lesson learned: don't drink and Web market.
Comments
I admit I was a bit put off when I saw the subject line. But when I started reading the e-mail, I laughed. I thought it was a clever marketing message.
It's a good lesson though. (Surf Sober!) Thank you for sharing.
Posted by CarlFebruary 2, 2007 03:17 PM
We've all sent emails that we regret -- many times the instant we release the mouse button. Fortunately, of the few copies that make it through people's spam filters into actual inboxes, many will be completely overlooked amidst countless spams. Those that do get read will probably be opened by people who know you and will understand the humor.
But it does remind me of an "effective communications"-type class that pointed out that the written word -- like in an email -- is only about 7% effective, as far as communicating a message, lacking such things as tone, volume, body language, expressions, etc.
That means every email has to be crafted carefully to make sure people don't misinterpret it. I have to remind myself of that just about every day.
Posted by JasonFebruary 5, 2007 07:55 AM
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