GetResponse Email Marketing BLOG

GetResponse blog focuses on email marketing and autoresponder industry.
It provides advice, marketing tips, email marketing research, and random on-topic rants.

The search for Beta-Testers is over!

More than a 1000 of you applied…thank you! Right now, we’re engaged in a very meticulous verification process.  After that, we will notify the selected candidates and provide all the necessary information − and the new GetResponse beta tests will commence! As promised, whoever provides the best feedback will win an iPhone 3G. So stay tuned!

Once again, thank you for subscribing.

Email Marketing - GetResponse

UPDATED: Beta Tests Have Been Launched! Join Us And Win An iPhone 3G!

iphonegirlIt’s official! Beta test of the new version of GetResponse is “locked and loaded” and ready to commence. But we need you!  Be among the first humans on earth to evaluate the completely new, super-smart GetResponse! Just follow this link:

www.getresponse.com/beta

Have fun working with the GetResponse Team while you test-drive the new version and tell us what you think. Your feedback is incredibly important! If we use your recommendations, you get an iPhone! Don’t miss out your one and only chance to shape this revolutionary new release of GetResponse! (Talk about bragging rights!)

We’re waiting for you! BYI…bring your ideas!

Best,
Email Marketing - GetResponse

Beta Testers Wanted! Try the all-new GetResponse and win an iPhone!

iphonegirlGetResponse Team is pleased to announce official beta testing of the all-new GetResponse!

And YOU could be among the chosen few to use the sleek new interface and test drive the totally amazing features! Don’t miss out this unique opportunity to get a sneak preview and a huge head-start on all the amazing things you can do with the new GetResponse. You’ll be thrilled at how easy and powerful it is to use and how many of your great ideas have been incorporated. But we want more…

If you are selected to this elite beta test group,  you will help decide what is in the final version and when it is ready to go out! What’s more, you’ll have a chance to win an iPhone if we use your recommendations! So sign up, start testing, and have fun driving the new upgraded GetResponse – and win that iPhone!

The beta tests will start on Thursday. Check out our blog for details on how to get on the beta test team. You could be the one to make GetResponse history! (and leave your competitors in the dust!).

Get ready and stay tuned!

Best,
Email  Marketing - GetResponse

Check the progress of your Broadcast

Need to “see it to believe it?” GetResponse now offers a “live” graph that lets you track the transmission of your email campaigns in real time! So, while WE KNOW our deliverability is top notch, we don’t want you to waste a minute wondering. Got a lot going on? Leave the Broadcast Bar on your desktop and monitor them! The Progress Bar is available NOW once you log in to your account. Simply click on My Campaigns and select the campaign broadcast you’d like to monitor. Isn’t it “good to know”?!

Broadcast Bar

Simon Grabowski, CEO and founder of GetResponse, had this to say about the new feature: “Our clients are telling us that they are trying to do more with less these days, and that means managing more email marketing campaigns than ever before. The new Broadcast Bar allows at-a-glance status checks on multiple campaigns, making their jobs easier and less stressful, while providing managers with real-time reporting capabilities. As always the GetResponse Team would like to thank our valued clients for their feedback and encourage everyone to voice their recommendations, so we can continue to deliver the ultimate in email marketing features and service.”

 

Kind Regards

 

The GetResponse Team

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List Building: Should You Time Your Opt-in Forms?

One of the things that really irritates – and interrupts – my web surfing is to land on an interesting site and immediately have a pop-up or slide-in block my view.

My issue is not with the fact that the owner is building a list. It’s that they are asking for a commitment before I know anything about them. If you push me to make a decision too quickly, I’ll just say no.

MarketingSherpa actually tested opt-in times and found that a 60–second delay caused the highest opt-in rate. They chose this time because their analytics revealed that the average visitor stayed about one minute on a site page. (Note: Based on your own analytics, you may wish to tweak this further.)

I’m not at all surprised that they found that conversions rose. In 60 seconds, your visitor has had a change to step into your site, find a cozy place to sit, and start reading or interacting. That 60 seconds gives them a much better idea of whether they’d like to “set a spell” and come back to visit, or be on their way.

I can tell you that 99% of the time, if a slide-in or pop-up immediately crosses my computer screen, I’ll usually close it without even reading the offer, because it so aggravates me.

And this testing bore that out. The 60–second delay at Ask-Leo.com delivered an average 1000% increase in daily opt-ins vs. the other time delays tested.

What could your bottom line look like with a 1000% opt-in increase? Time to test, wouldn’t you say?

Debbi Bressler
Email Marketing Specialist
GetResponse

“Results Not Typical” No Longer Typical

We’ve all seen those outrageous infomercials, advertisements or email messages touting unbelievable achievements by purchasing Product X or Service Y. (The most common niches I see for this type of advertising are weight loss and making money.)

In the past, claims like “I lost 75 pounds in three months” and “I earned $7000 my first week!”  have been allowed because of three simple words: “Results Not Typical”. While 99% of the participants may have only lost four pounds in three months, those three little words protected advertisers.

But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is about to change that. Following two separate research studies, the FTC found that consumers felt these claims were representative of what the average person could expect to achieve. They did not view these success stories as a one-in-a-million result, even with the “Results Not Typical” disclaimer.

If these changes are instituted, advertisers who use this type of success story will have to:

  • Provide clinical data substantiating that these results were the average; or
  • Eliminate such success stories fro their advertising campaigns; or
  • If using non-representative success stories, they must be accompanied by a disclosure of what their average customer achieves.

The new guidelines would affect those who make specific, quantifiable claims. Having someone comment on the ease of use of a product or service would not fall under these new guidelines.

If you have not received your current campaigns in awhile, this is a great opportunity to update them and make sure you’ll be in compliance.

Debbi Bressler
Email Marketing Specialist
GetResponse

Local Businesses Need Email Marketing

I recently did some research in the local business niche and was shocked to find that the majority of local businesses with websites had no opt-in form! These were companies that marketing through chambers of commerce, yellow page advertising and local radio spots.

When they drove people to their websites, how many names were they able to capture?

None.

Nada.

My guess is that they spent a decent amount of money to have their website built. Then they added their URL to business cards, directory listings, yellow page advertising, and assorted marketing materials.

Without a way to capture their visitors’ information, all their work is an exercise in futility. Unless they’ve built an incredibly interactive site, or one which is constantly updated with newsworthy information, it’s unlikely visitors will return on a regular basis.

Bricks and mortar locations can email:

  • Weekly coupons
  • Restaurant lunch specials
  • New products received
  • Reorder reminders
  • Tips on making the most of your purchase
  • Wine tastings or special events

The list is limited only by your imagination.

The key is that you don’t have to be the best copywriter in the world. You don’t have to hire staff and have world-class graphics.

Interesting, timely, and valuable text emails are all you need to get started. And, if my research is any indication, you will immediately be head-and-shoulders above your competition.

Are you a local business? How do you utilize email to promote your business? We’d love to feature some of our customers…comment below!

Debbi Bressler
GetResponse

List Building: 6 Tips to Increase Response

Stop what you are doing right now and look at your website or blog.

I’m assuming you have an opt-in form. But, if you are like the majority of sites I see, your visitors may not see the value in subscribing.

You see, too many say, “Sign up here for my newsletter” or “Get my free report here”.

Now, that may have worked in the 90’s, but it won’t work today. Most of us are inundated with email these days. The last thing we’ll do is sign up for something before you asked us to do so! These days, it’s all about value.

If your subscription efforts need a makeover, here are a few tips:

  • “Sell” Your Subscription. Create a headline that captures the attention of your visitor.
  • Build Value. Tell them what they’ll receive by signing up. (You are providing something of value, right?) Let them know the retail value of what you are offering.
  • Don’t be Shy. Having an opt-in box in the corner of your page is not enough these days. You should also include an opt-in at the end of each article you write or resource you print. Catch them while they are hot and appreciative of the information you are sharing with them.
  • Tease Your Visitors. If you have a blog, once a week write a teaser about what was sent to your subscribers. I offer a teleconference from one of my sites, but it is only available to subscribers. And then remind them it is simple and free to join, followed by your opt-in box.
  • Use Testimonials. You wouldn’t think about writing a sales letter without testimonials…why not use them for your opt-in “sale”? Hold a contest and ask readers to submit a story on how they utilized one of your newsletter tips. Be sure to let them know that their comments may be published. Offer a link to their site as an additional benefit.
  • Make Them Feel Safe. Be sure to clearly state your email policy. (This should go without saying, but you’d be surprised how many marketers never mention this.)

If you have some techniques you are using to increase response, please share them with our readers!

Debbi Bressler
Email Marketing Specialist
GetResponse

Email Marketing in an iPhone World

Many marketers seed their autoresponder lists with test email addresses from various email providers to test delivery and appearance. But with the growth in the iPhone, Blackberry, and other smart phones, it’s essential to test your message on these devices as well.

I’m not an early adopter in the smart phone category, and just purchased my iPhone last year. If I’m out of town for a business trip, I can quickly scan my email for important messages that need to be answered before I return to my home office. It’s simply an adjunct to my normal method of reading email, which is from my office computer.

My daughter, however, is in that early adopter group (she’s a college student). She confessed that she seldom uses a computer anymore, especially for such mundane tasks as email.

She is not alone. 

Reading email on the run with a tiny screen is a far different experience than viewing them on a 24” monitor from the comfort of your home or office. It is critical that, as marketers, we understand what will – and will not – work for mobile devices. The best way to do so is to view your emails on several types of smart phones. This will give you the best indication of your subscriber’s experience.

You may also wish to consider offering an alternative email address, with messages specifically designed for smart phones. Or, you might include a link that goes to an abridged version of your message.

If you use one group of messages for everyone, be sure to include lots of white space, short sentences and paragraphs (only 2–3 sentences each), and bulleted or numbered lists. Your emails need to be easy to scan while remaining compelling enough to “get the click”.

You might also test a short message linking people to “the rest of the story” on your blog or web site.

If you haven’t tested your emails, I encourage you to do so TODAY! You might be shocked to see the condition of your message!

Have you made changes to your emails or newsletter to accommodate mobile devices? Share them below!

Debbi Bressler
Email Marketing Specialist
GetResponse

GetResponse Is Live On Twitter!

We are extremely excited to announce Get Response has joined another web 2.0 community!

Join the Get Response conversation at: www.twitter.com/getresponse

For those of you who are new to Twitter, here are the basics:

Twitter asks one question, “What are you doing?” The answers must be under 140 characters so users get right to the point! And Twitter messages can be sent via mobile texting, instant message, or the web, so it goes anywhere you go.

Want to learn more? Check it out for yourself at:

https://twitter.com/about#about.

Why Twitter?
It’s fast, easy, and immediate! For most of us, business emails, and even blogs, take up too much time and are often outdated by the time we get to them. Twitter helps us stay plugged in to late-breaking news, great ideas, interesting people, and customer feedback in real time, as it’s happening!

You can use Twitter to monitor discussions, offer opinions and comments, and communicate directly with our global GetResponse family. The list is endless, but here’s a sampling:

  • What’s new on the product front?
  • Update your contact information.
  • GetResponse “tips and tricks”.
  • What’s on the drawing board?
  • Affiliate program news, bios, stories.
  • “Who does what” at GetResponse?
  • User experiences and suggestions.

This last one is HUGE! Get in touch with other GR users. Get opinions on various subjects and save time and money, while meeting new people with similar interests and jobs. Ask them:

  • What they like / don’t like?
  • Why did they choose GR?
  • How is the support?
  • Success stories and examples?

So check in often as the GetResponse Team will be providing loads of valuable info and updates. This is just the beginning of our list!

  • Blog updates
  • Email marketing articles, tips
  • Product updates, enhancements
  • Technical questions, suggestions
  • Special offers, pricing updates

If we sound excited, it’s for good reason. Twitter is already having a big impact on the speed of our communications and knowledge exchange. More importantly, we’re hearing directly from our customers every day. That will help make GetResponse better, faster for all of us!

We invite you to join us on Twitter TODAY and get in the middle of the GetResponse conversation! It only takes a minute to plug into this mega-watt channel! Let’s talk!

The GetResponse Team