I would like to also say THANK YOU to everyone who shared the posts and signed up for the once a month email. Since our open rate is usually around 10%, our goal was to get 10% of the names from the lists we used to send out. We know that if these people sign up, they will indeed open it and utilize the site. The first day was a flurry of emails but now, without the buzz of the posts, we need to make sure to keep asking people we connect with if they want to sign up. Only one person we have asked said no, and we respect that. She is a freelancer and she prefers to keep her email private.
While I was not surprised by the support, I did appreciate being reminded how much people actually do like e-promos. The vocal minority has gotten so extreme in their fight against having their name on the e-promo lists, that there wasn’t ever a strong enough voice to counter their cyber bullying. Hopefully by sharing the emails I received below, we can all remember the power of the e-promo and that people out there actually do like them! Thanks again everyone for all the support and great conversation!
“This is really great Heather, a really fresh approach to this complicated issue. “I fully support this and the way to show my support is to sign up (quickly). I’ll let you know what other agents think.”
” Amazing, so smart and I signed up!”
“I signed up. Really I signed up because I still want to get e-blasts from your group and I want to support your endeavors. I also read the blog post. Honestly, I had NO IDEA it was such a perceived nuisance to so many. It seems so banal. I am really shocked anyone would take the time to put up hateful web sites on the subject; just awful!! If an e-promo is relevant I look at it. If it is not, I delete it. Yes, the volume is high, but it is not time consuming to go through them. I think however as this is clearly a hot button for many you have taken a very productive approach which will be perceived favorably by people who have strong feelings on the matter. As always, you are a very thoughtful marketer.”
“And while I suppose I can understand the idea that maybe too much vendor mail could be a bad thing, I would be crazy to be on the side that would actively go out of their way to permanently block it altogether. Maybe I’m the minority, but the more work I see, the easier it is to recall when I’m in need of a photographer. I had no idea people/businesses would be so extreme. ”
“Hi Heather, I’m one of the rare art producers who don’t mind a bunch of email promos. I actually save them all in a folder and go back to the folder when I have time to check them out. I do think the emailer once a month is a great idea, but I do think the more you send promos the more your name/photographers appears in our brain ; ) I just signed up for the monthly promos, but can I still get the single ones you send more often?”
” Hi Heather! Signed up. Looking forward to see how it works and of course thanks for trying to make and be different. : )”” I love this exploration and can’t wait to see what creatives think of this as well.”
“I love your new approach…and empathize all too well your struggle to strike a balance with the e-blasts having repped in the past.””And honestly…receiving samples goes with the job. My snail mail mailbox is still full all of the time, so why shouldn’t I expect my email inbox to be? I’ve always said there is no magic formula to get noticed – you have to do it all – mail, email, appointments….what’s a rep supposed to do?!”All signed up!! ps – I don’t mind the email blasts and am looking forward to this mailing!!”
“I think this is an amazing idea and frankly a producers dream. I WILL be signing up.””I think it’s a great idea and I also love having the entire roster at once instead of one offs. I just signed up. You are always coming up with new ideas – love it!””Love the new strategy! More quality and less quantity is something I think we could all use, especially when it comes to email.”
Do you have any suggestions for photographers that aren’t on your list, like the direction and want to be part of the solution? Thanks!