Today's Specials: Spam and Caviar!
Hi folks,
Unsolicited email can be a pain in the A$$. But before tossing spam into the trash can, reroute it into the "Spam Can" ;-) You see, all good marketers know the value of creating swipe files. A swipe file is a collection of salesletters and ads or other marketing materials that you refer to when writing your own salesletters. You basically analyze them and mine out the techniques the copywriter used to get attention and sell the product or service being promoted. What psychological triggers did the copywriter use? Is that a great headling or subject line? How are the bonuses and special offers constructed? These are just a few of the things to ask yourself when looking over your swipe files. What does this have to do with spam? Well, most of the unsolicited email you recieve on a daily basis is trying desperately to sell you something. Your inbox fills up with tons of junk mail - but to the savvy marketer - spam isn't junk. Each and every one of those emails is a mini copywriting course in and of itself. Some of the companies sending spam have spent thousands on hiring top copywriters to write this stuff. Here's how to create your own "Spam Can/Spam Swipe File": Your email program probably has it's own spam filter set up to toss out emails deemed to be offensive. This is done by flagging and automatically deleting messages with certain words, characters, from certain senders, etc. Now, most email programs also allow you to set up, change, or enable/disable the spam filter. Hence, you should also be able to determine what happens to the flagged messages. Go into your email program's settings feature and set up a new message folder. Name it something like "Spam Swiper" or whatever you prefer. Then find the filtering rule that automatically deletes or bounces the spam messages. Change that rule so the messages are rerouted into the "Spam Swiper" folder. Refer to your email program's help file for more information on how to do this. Now, this folder will fill up quickly. (an understatement) So every few days, open the folder and delete duplicate messages or whatever you find offensive. You'll be left with a ton of salesletters that you can refer to whenever you need something to help with your next salesletter or classified ad. So what will it be, spam or caviar? And if you're interested, Viagra is on sale for $10.99 if you order before midnight tonight! Just thinking out loud, Paul Short Editor: The EbizEdge Ezine http://www.ebizedge.com PS - If you're wondering what happened to the PowerThinkers Newsletter, it's still out there. It was homeless for a while but then all of a sudden it had a lucky streak. In about a week or two, it'll be master of it's own domain over at SuccessThink.com The knowledge you need to succeed online |
The only thing you learn from spam is
> You see, all good marketers know the value
> of creating swipe > files. A swipe file is a collection of > salesletters and ads > or other marketing materials that you refer > to when writing > your own salesletters. > You basically analyze them and mine out the > techniques the > copywriter used to get attention and sell > the product or > service being promoted. > What psychological triggers did the > copywriter use? > Is that a great headling or subject line? > How are the bonuses and special offers > constructed? > These are just a few of the things to ask > yourself > when looking over your swipe files. > What does this have to do with spam? > Well, most of the unsolicited email you > recieve on a daily > basis is trying desperately to sell you > something. Your > inbox fills up with tons of junk mail - but > to the savvy > marketer - spam isn't junk. Each and every > one of those > emails is a mini copywriting course in and > of itself. > Some of the companies sending spam have > spent thousands on > hiring top copywriters to write this stuff. Interesting claim. WHO are these companies who have spent thousands on hiring top copywriters? And WHO are these "top copywriters"? And why even bother trying to find something interesting in Spam? Cause it sells/works? How do you know that? Cause you keep getting the same messages over and over? Doesn't prove anything. Just means you keep getting the same message over and over. Could mean the people sending the spam have found another sucker to give them money to spam. Could mean out of the 50 million email address spamed, one person bought. Could mean someone else just bought the "50 million email address on CD with suggested products to sell complete with their sources" CD and is giving it a try. Personally I think it would be more beneficial to go to the top selling affiliate sites and save their sales letters into your "swipe file." Obviously they are top because they are selling; they are selling because of the sales letter; and you will learn more because you will have copies of sales letters that are working without annoying people. Yes Spam can teach you something...
In other words Spam can teach you how NOT to do it. Michael Ross Subscribe to The Entrepreneur's Hotsheet because you save time & may find just what you need |
Just trying to look on the bright side that's all...
Ok. Guess I'll not post any messages about Spam again!
Paul |
"Motherhood" and "caviar".... "Crooks" and "spam"....
Hi Paul,
I thought that was an interesting take on the spam that comes into your e-mailbox.... Some spammers (unfortunately) are big companies. I think they probably hurt themselves more than they help themselves by spamming - but you're right in that they can afford good copywriters. I'm not sure who's doing it now, but until a couple years ago Barnes & Noble was notorious for spamming.... Thanks for an interesting take on this issue... By the way, here's another interesting thing. Certain words we use are filled with emotion.... Political speechwriters know these HOT BUTTON words very well - just listen to practically ANY political speech! "Motherhood".... "family".... "children".... How do these words make you feel? In most people, they bring up associations with positive memories, and so they create positive emotions.... On the negative end of the spectrum - "Liar".... "crook".... and yes, "SPAM" ! These bring up associations with negative memories! So they tend to create negative emotions.... Words are POWERFUL when you know how to use them! Many articles and speeches are full of these emotive words. They look "objective", but by choosing one emotive word over another with the same dictionary meaning, the emotional message can change drastically. Politicians do this all the time.... Just an interesting glimpse into the science of persuasion. Sorry, I got off track, but I thought it was interesting because of the emotive content of the word "spam" ! - Dien Rice |
Here's a "bright side" perspective...
The market being targetted.
A look at my recent spam includes... Debt relief Internet security/privacy Sex Gambling And recently... Flash. Could they have picked up on an increase in interest in Flash? This might be interesting... What markets does your SPAM target? Michael Ross. Discover more ways to identify a viable market. |
Now I've got that Monty Python song stuck in me head
Hi,
"Always look on the bright si-ide of life!" [cheerful whistle] Best, - Boyd |
And all this time I've been hearing...
> Hi,
> "Always look on the bright si-ide of > life!" [cheerful whistle] Heheh.... Boyd, all this time I've been hearing.... "Spam spam spam spam... lovely spam, wonderful spam....!!!!" ;) Now, if only lumberjacks could fit into this somehow.... - Dien |
I forgot about the spam song, somehow :-) [DNO]
dno
> Heheh.... Boyd, all this time I've been > hearing.... > "Spam spam spam spam... lovely spam, > wonderful spam....!!!!" ;) > Now, if only lumberjacks could fit into this > somehow.... > - Dien |
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