Every morning I get a great workout. Of course, it is only my index finger that is receiving the benefits of that workout - deleting spam and unwanted emails from my inbox. Just like you, each morning I am deluged with dozens of unsolicited emails.
Of course, in my opinion, I think that society makes more out of spam than it needs to. It takes all of a minute or so to delete those unwanted spam emails. Before the Internet, we all received “spam” in our mailboxes at home. But Congress doesn’t seem as concerned about that. To me, it’s easier to press delete a few times than it is to clutter my garbage cans and our landfills with junk mail. But that’s another article for another day.
In reality, many people today find unsolicited emails extremely irksome. And because of that, your legitimate email marketing is going to be scrutinized and given only a second or two before it is trashed or opened. This article is designed to help you create an email, whether a newsletter, promotion, or just a marketing message, that has a better chance of being read, than being dead.
We’ve been bombarded with so much Spam, that most of it is easy to spot with just a glance at the subject. “Impress your wife” = Spam. “Mortgage rates at all time low” = Spam. “Viagra by the truckload” = Spam. Those are the easy ones.
But your email communications aren’t spam. If the email marketing or newsletter is done right, it contains targeted, quality content that is useful to the recipients. The problem is, they won’t know that your email is not spam until they open it up and read it. And as ridiculous as it may seem, when it comes to email communications, you are usually guilty before proven innocent. In order for your prospects to read your valuable content, you have one or two seconds to scream, “Wait!!! Don’t delete me! I have something great to say! I’m not Sp…..”
DELETE.
Email spam is defined as any email that is not requested. In this literal sense of the definition, 99% of all emails are spam. Think about it. How many times do you call your boss just to give her a head’s up that you will be sending an email. Spammers have taken one of the best means of marketing ever created and turned it into a tool which many are afraid to touch. And likewise the spam-fearers have over-reacted. The result is an email that must past several tests before it dodges the delete key, gets opened and read. The following tests will help more of your emails get the response they deserve.
1. Avoid Spam-Alert Words
You know the big ones, like, er, um, “big ones”. And “free”, “offer”, “special”, “limited time”. You see any of these words in the subject, and your spam sensor is alerted and your finger is poised to delete.
Those are the obvious ones. To combat this, I’ve read a few articles that suggest using synonyms and close alternatives to these words. Will this work? Yes and no. Yes, you may be able to circumvent the “Spam-blockers” that your recipients may have. But, even if it those words escape the spam-blockers, human eyes are even tougher. They’ll see the words “No cost” as the same as “free” and immediately throw up a red flag. Delete.
Don’t try to beat the system with similar words. You need your customer to trust that your email communication has nothing to do with spam. To do that, your subject should be void of any words that are similar to spam words.
2. Avoid Using the Recipient’s Name in the Subject
Four years ago, the latest trend in email marketing was to use your recipient’s name in the subject line. Such as, “Don’t be the last one to get one of these, Warren.” Four years ago, Warren may have gotten excited about seeing his name in print, and he may have assumed that the email must be important if they knew his name.
Not the case today. If he saw his name in the subject line today, Warren would see it as common trickery that many Spammers partake in. He quickly presses Delete before going to floss (Warren has always taken great care of his teeth)
If you did want to use their name, and the customer did opt-in to your newsletter, then use their name sparingly in the body of the email. But using it their name in the subject throws up another red flag.
3. No punctuation, Excessive capitalization, Symbols, etc.
Again, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is, and will be deleted. Certainly you are excited about your promotion or articles, and that should shine through in the body copy of the email. The better the offer is, the more important it is to make sure you do not go overboard in the subject. Remember that among the least effective email campaigns are the ones that state that the recipient is already a winner. Delete.
4. First Things First.
I constantly see email newsletters that mention an article or promotion in the subject. Yet after scanning the entire newsletter, I either find the article hanging out near the bottom, or I can’t find it at all.
The subject isn’t just an attention-getter, it needs to flow seamlessly into the newsletter. If your subject mentions a new way to lose weight, that article needs to be front and center when the recipient opens the newsletter. If it’s not there, most recipients won’t hunt for it. Rather they’ll consider it a ploy to get them to open the newsletter - Delete.
Think about how Old Navy conducts their “Item of the Week” promotion. They advertise a clothing item at a reduced price. So when you walk into the store, the promoted clothing item is the first thing you see - you can’t miss it. Make sure that your first priority promotion or article is the first thing your recipient sees.
5. Targeted Subject
Let your recipients know immediately that the newsletter was meant for their eyes. Not by using their name, but by featuring their industry or interest in the subject line.
As an example, I get several email newsletters and articles each day, most of which are related to marketing, design or business. If I see a newsletter with the word marketing in the subject, I’m either reading it right then, or saving it to read later. On the other side of the coin, if I get a marketing-type newsletter that mentions nothing about marketing, I may or may not open it.
Remember, you’ve got only a couple of seconds to make your case and get your recipient to open the newsletter. Make sure that your newsletter centers around their interests and you’ve won half the battle. Of course, if you don’t know what your prospects’ industries or interests are, you might be doomed from the start.
6. Who is it From
After the subject, the next thing your recipient will usually look at to determine if they will open it is who sent the email. The worst choice is to use an email address that is gibberish or doesn’t go directly to a human.
The best results will be if your email is sent from a person at your company, i.e. jim@abccomputers.com. This way it looks less like a form email and it also makes your email communications more personal.
7. Email content
The final tip that gives your email the best odds at being read has to do with the content itself. Always give your recipients an option of HTML or text and make sure that you send it to them in the format that they request. This may have less to do with the speed of their computer and more to do with their own preference.
Also include an opt-out option in the email and put them both at the top and bottom of the email. The recipient needs to know that they are reading this under their own volition and they can stop receiving the email communications if they wish.
With these tips, you’ll give your email the best chance at being read.
Steve Reynolds has been helping small businesses develop a marketing front that generates leads, build brand recognition and creates business opportunities. My experience in design, copywriting, and marketing strategies is a combination that works well for small businesses and start-up companies.
Unlike motor cover, home insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. It is, however, a vital precaution against unforeseen bills caused by incidents such as natural disasters or break-ins. It is a false economy to avoid home insurance premiums in order to save cash in the short-term because in case of misfortune you will be left without a leg to stand on and could be faced with some of the heftiest bills you will ever come across in your life. Whether you own your house / home outright or are still paying off your mortgage, the house you own probably represents the biggest investment in your life and one of the most important factors in maintaining your well-being. Everyone wants a roof over their head to have peace of mind free from worries about their house!
If you have a mortgage then your lender will usually insist that your property is covered by full buildings insurance. This is to protect themselves, as if your house were completely destroyed they would need to know that you had the means to finance its repair. Also, a homeless borrower will hardly inspire confidence in a company expecting regular mortgage repayments.
Sometimes people assume that they have to stick with the insurance that they have taken out with their mortgage provider. Unless you took advantage of a special mortgage deal where you agreed to buy their home insurance then you are free to use independent insurers for your house protection. You might be encouraged to take out cover through your mortgage broker, as it is simpler for them. However, you are not obliged to do this by law, so it is well worth looking around for the best deal for your needs and making sure that you obtain the right cover at the right price.
George McGonigal
George is webmaster of online insurance resourcs for UK homeowners and motorists. We bring under one roof insurers who offer online quotations to allow our visitors to compare rates in the comfort of their own homes. Why not visit Home Insurance Scotland: Competitive insurance quotes online.
Home Insurance UK: Competitive insurance quotes online for Great Britain. Car Insurance: online quotes for UK residents.
Everyone has different tastes; that’s why there are so many
different types of bathroom décor. But one thing is constant
despite your décor: the need for clear, sharp light. For
bathroom lighting, fixtures can make all the difference in the
world.
When choosing your bathroom light fixtures styles, keep in mind
that your real goal is to make yourself look great, not to make
your bathroom look great. You have a practical job to do -
grooming and looking your best - and this is what your bathroom
light fixtures are to help accomplish.
1) Realize That Vanity Counts
Vanity lighting or mirror lighting in the bathroom is crucial;
everyone’s walked into the bathroom where the lighting makes
anyone look greenish or pale.
Without good un-shadowed light in a bathroom, it’s impossible to
look your best outside the bathroom also, because you can’t see
yourself properly when you’re putting on make up. This need for
clear, un-shadowed lighting is what makes bathroom light
fixtures so important. When choosing fixtures, bear in mind that
the clearer your lens or shade is, the more light it will
release into the bathroom.
2) Place Fixtures To “Support” Your Face
Placement is a second, important consideration for your bathroom
light fixtures. Ideally, you should surround your face with the
best light possible, minimizing shadows under the chin and eyes,
and illuminating your cheeks and forehead properly.
You don’t have to use Hollywood strips with a half-dozen lights
down each side of your mirror, but you should definitely use
more than one bathroom light fixture. Ideally, you should have
at least one on either side of the mirror.
Don’t place them above your head; instead, take into
consideration the relative heights of your family, and try to
place your bathroom light fixtures at about average forehead
height. This will minimize shadows on all sides of the face.
Keep bathroom light fixtures at least two and a half feet apart;
this shouldn’t be a problem, since the average bathroom mirror
is at least this width.
If you want to mount your bathroom light fixtures directly on
your mirror, that’s fine too; but look at them against a mirror
before choosing to do this, as some fixtures just don’t look
good in this setting. You may want an additional bathroom light
fixture on the ceiling if you have a large or a dark bathroom.
3) Choose Good Lighting - Match Your Fixtures To The Lighting
When choosing your bathroom light fixtures, you should always
consider what kind of lights you plan to use. In general,
fluorescent is not a great choice; it tends to make people
greenish or washed out. Instead, go for incandescent bulbs, or
bulbs that advertise their similarity to daylight. Remember that
the wrong bulb can make anyone look terrible. If you know of a
place with bathroom lights that make you look terrific, see if
you can find out what kind of lights they use, and go for these.
Bathroom light fixtures should not change the color of the light
inside them; instead, they should release the light clearly and
brightly.
Fixtures should be easy enough to maintain and should be
guaranteed. Before installing them permanently, hold them up to
daylight and be certain you like what you see.
A personalized baby gift is a memorable welcome-to-our-world gesture, that will be treasured by mom, dad, and baby alike. You don’t want your gift to be just another baby shower trinket. If chosen with care and consideration, a personalized baby gift is likely to become an heirloom, with stacks of sentimental value.
Personalized Baby Gift Ideas For The Nursery
If you want to indulge the parents-to-be, and you have a budget without bounds, help with the baby furniture is always welcome. Personalizing these items can be arranged. However, ’special’ doesn’t have to equal ‘expensive’. There are a host of personalized baby gifts for the nursery, that are affordable, yet meaningful and practical
A personalized baby gift idea that will be used for many years, and remembered with fondness beyond childhood, is a wooden rocking chair. If it is expertly crafted of solid wood, and given a special place in the nursery, it will be a little corner of comfort and dreaming right through the toddler years.
Another very useful personalized baby gift, is a wooden toy chest. If this piece of baby furniture is combined with a seat with a comfy cushion, so much the better. Just make sure that the chest has been made according to sensible safety regulations, with hinges which aren’t prone to mishaps. You don’t want the chest to be memorable for a totally unexpected reason! Toy carts can also be personalized, and will come in very handy later on.
Smaller personalized baby gift ideas for the nursery include a natural growth chart. This gift will feature high on the sentimental value list in time, with special memories connected to each growth phase. Every baby loves being introduced to his or her own image. Personalized mirrors will become a source of entertainment, and distraction.
Wooden shelving for all the baby paraphernalia are useful. Beautifully decorated wall plaques, collage picture frames for all the ‘firsts’ in a baby’s life, and wooden wall clocks all become treasured personalized baby gifts.
Personalized Baby Gift Idea To Cuddle Up To
One of the sweetest personalized baby gift ideas, is the My Baby Forever doll. The softest, cuddly fleece doll, custom made according to newborn-baby size and shape, will delight and comfort. The birth information is embroidered on the clothing. A cute knotted cap completes the outfit. This machine-washable little darling, will be much loved and hugged.
Later on, toddlers love to dress the doll in their own baby clothing. Grandpa’s Doll Bed is an add-on must-have, perfectly sized for the ‘newborn’ doll. The Doll Bed is unfinished, to be painted and personalized by the toddler, with a little help from mom or dad. Swaddled in a matching interlock blanket, or a fleece blanket, your My Baby Forever doll arrives looking very much like the newborn. A muslin Peek-a-boo Gift Bag can be added for the perfect delivery, so to speak.
Personalized Baby Gift Idea With Old-Fashioned Charm
What little girl or boy doesn’t dream about their very own rocking horse? Painted in cheerful colors, this personalized baby gift will be adored in a year or two. Choose a generous size, to allow for use over a number of years. Many of these rocking horses are masterly crafted of solid wood, with exquisite detail. Some even include a ‘mane’, bridle and leather ears.
Personalized Baby Gift Idea For Dressing-Up
Clothing and related items are always welcome gifts, and if these are personalized, are valued that much more. From hand painted bibs to backpacks, shirts to sets of hangers, washcloths to baby wipes, abound in all shapes, textures, and colors. A selection of these, creatively collected in a baby gift basket, will be a hugely appreciated personalized baby gift idea.
Be considerate, and include personalized sibling shirts for a big brother or sister. These youngsters often feel very left out, with all the hullabaloo about the baby.
These are just a tiny, tempting taste of all the unique personalized baby gift ideas out there…
For more information read Baby Nursery Theme - From Crib To Baby’s Haven With A Nurturing Nursery Theme at Cribs-For-Babies.com
Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.
Regular mortgage monthly payment already covers payment on interest. Any extra or additional payment refers to prepayment. Mortgagor or borrower often asks why I have to pay penalty on prepayment or refinance. Since the mortgage companies loses payment on interest, the mortgagor or borrower needs to pay penalty. The penalty on mortgage depends on the mortgage companies.
Mortgage companies give no penalty on every prepayment for fully open mortgages, while mortgage companies give penalty on every prepayment for fully closed mortgages. As for the partially open mortgages, mortgage companies give no penalty on prepayment with limitations. The mortgagors pay penalty when they exceed limitations.
As a mortgagor, you got three common prepayment privileges. First, annual lump payment allows prepay up to 15% of the original amount of mortgage loans. Second, annual increase on the regular payment allows increase of regular payment up to 15% for the remainder of the term. Finally, double up allows to double regular payment up to the remainder of the term.
Since the mortgagor pays more on top of the regular mortgage payment, the amount of time to repay reduces significantly. For example, the mortgagor saves 2 years and months on $150,000.00 principal, 6.5% interest, 25 year mortgage, and $500.00 additional payment (one time after a year).
Dennis Estrada is a webmaster of mortgage calculators which calculate the mortgage payments, and compare different interest rates.
