The Email Wars

It was great not only to see one of our clients doing a whiz-bang job on their welcome messages but also on the feedback that the subscriber sent in. When was the last time that you were delighting people with your welcome messaging in a way that made them take the time to write a response? I think you should make this a goal to achieve this year.

Over and over I tell people about the importance of Welcome and Thank You messages when people opt in to a newsletter, make an information request, sign up for a webinar or any other first touch point. It really does set the tone, make an impact and build a path for your email marketing. Take a moment to review your own emails and see if there are things you can do to uplevel your programs. And if you are still missing a Welcome or Thank You email I would work hard to get one in place. First impressions are hard to make twice.

Example of this email after the jump

Subject: Your Oregon adventure has started
Dear Wendy,

Thank you for ordering the guides listed below from Travel Oregon! The gang wanted to make your Oregon experience as authentic as possible, so we decided to send your travel guides on a little adventure.

Before landing in your mailbox in a few days, your travel guides will soar alongside a rainbow-colored kite on the Oregon Coast, sit in the third row of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, ride a buckin’ bronco at the Pendleton Round-Up (Let ‘er buck!), and admire the Birds of Prey at the High Desert Museum. After exerting all their energy at these fabulous Oregon locations, your travel guides will shop at a local farmers’ market and cook a gourmet meal with friends in the Willamette Valley, stroll through the Japanese Gardens in Portland, and windsurf through the Gorge.

Your dear travel guides will be so inspired after exploring Oregon ’s seven regions that they will love nothing more than to curl up on the couch with you and discuss future travel plans, while sipping a refreshing cup of iced Oregon chai tea.

Welcome to Oregon!
The team at TravelOregon.com

Order Details:
Date/Time: 12/29/2009 10:49:53 PM
Order ID: XXXXXXXX

Details:
Travel Oregon Trip Planner
Scenic Byways Guide

PS: If you’re itching to get a leg up on your travel planning, start today at www.TravelOregon.com or head to www.GoSeeOregon.com to see what travelers like you are saying about where to go and what to do in Oregon.

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Reply from this Welcome email:

“I truly admire creative marketing.  The email below is wonderful.

~W”