I just got back from Atlanta and the eMarketing 8 conference.  What an incredible two days, Carol Kruse, Vice President of Global Interactive Marketing for The Coca Cola Company gave an outstanding keynote speech.  Over 30 other speakers including Chris Baggott, President of Compendium Blog ware, gave fantastic presentations.  Google wrapped up day one with a fun reception with a lot of networking and deals made.  Our next conference is in San Francisco in April 2009, don’t miss it.

We advertise on social networks.  There was quite an uproar, when facebook started to accept paid advertising.  I wonder why.

If you are on a professional network, you are usually there to sell something to someone.  Maybe it is just your resume, in case

you are fired or your company “lets you go”, or it may be a product or service.  You are selling something. You know it, I know it

so let’s stop wasting time talking about it.

The eMarketing Association is now working on a new Online Networking eCourse to add to its current line up of 4 Internet Marketing courses.  We are planning a release in January of 2009.  If you have any comments, or suggestions for this course let me know.  I will be giving away 25 courses to the people that provide useful information, research or suggestions for the course.  Current ecourses are at:

Never accept a no from a customer service representative who is not authorized to say yes.

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Time, by some accounts is a precise measurable arena.  However the reality is that time is very subjective.  For example, time seems to go slower for younger people, than older ones.  My theory for this is that time, as a percentage of your lifetime continually gets smaller.  Assuming a 100 year life span (big assumption), one year to a 10 year old is 10% of his or her life, where one year to a 50 year old is only 2% of their total life. 

So time online, waiting for sites to load, watching videos etc., can seem longer or shorter than real time.  Time goes by slower when we are not having fun or engaged in something we enjoy.  Waiting in line is an example.  eMarketing professionals should realize that time spent online, is often for a function or solution and is not always our first choice of activities.

Site navigation should be geared to get our target audience the information it is looking for as fast as  possible.  Online video should get to the point as quick as possible.  Pages should load quickly.  eMail should be concise and a quick read.  Don't waste your visitors time with unnecessary detail.  Provide that detail to those that want it by providing links to more substantial information.

If you want to improve your online results attend our conference in Atlanta.  See the link below.

Just got an email from HP printer service, I will paste the first part here:

Dear Customer,

 *** Please do not reply to this email.  This email is not monitored. ***

  

One of our Technical Support Specialists will be responding to your inquiry. It is our pleasure to be of service to you and thank you for choosing Hewlett-Packard, as your preferred vendor.

Imagine, HP does not want to hear from their customers, who, collectively, make their jobs and company possible.  If you are going to do emarketing successfully, you will need to have a conversation, a dialog with your customers, not a rude monologue, where you inform the "dear customer" that you don't want them to reply to you.

Internet marketing requires a little more class than telling your customers that you are not interested in them  Have you ever sent an email to a friend or relative and opened with "don't reply to me, I don't care to hear from you?"  They may not be your friends for long if you do

Interactive marketing, is well,  interactive.  A "do not reply" message is rude.

There is a great add on for Outlook called xobni (inbox spelled backwords), check it out at :

XOBNI

It is clear we live in a world of chaos.  Today's marketing environment is an ever changing challenge, to innovate, as well as keep up.  Technology has provided the tools for marketers to expand their reach with unprecedented precision and targeting.  Yet many marketers, still don't understand the power of these new tools and processes. The future will belong to those that are immersed in this wave of opportunity, who thrive on it. 

Professional development is not an option.  It is a necessity. It is your choice, get on top of the bulldozer or you will end up under it.  The eMA continues to provide those marketers, who wish to maximize their advancement with tools like outstanding conferences, online education and courses, and certifications.

eMail is now the most popular form of direct response marketing, per conducted by Direct Partners.

eMmail is used primarily by 35 percent of companies compared to 25 percent that use traditional direct mail and 21 percent that use promo packages, statement stuffers or freestanding inserts.

There are less than 10 days left to register for eMarketing 8 Atlanta at super early bird saver rates.  The $995.00 registration (one of the lowest for any event), will increase on July 10th.

Why this is important:  Keeping up your skills, professional development, and network is crucial in todays marketing envoirnment.  eM8 provides the tools, processess and contacts to ensure your success in the eMarketing Arena.

See

1. Register early - Early registration saves you money and provides you with time to develop your objectives for your conference experience. You are assured of booking a room at the conference rate, room blocks are limited and we have sold them out in the past. Airfares are usually much cheaper when you book at least 21 days in advance of flights, you will have a better selection of rates and airlines. Consider staying a few extra days to debrief and develop new plans based on the material you acquire at the event.

2. Prepare - Have a list of at least five areas you would like to improve in your ebusiness. The resources and people at the event can provide you with actionable solutions to many of the issues you face. By preparing questions in advance you are just that much closer to solutions and improvement in your marketing program. eMA conferences bring together the best of the best professional ebusiness experts, take advantage of it.

3. Bring an associate - If possible, bring along an associate or fellow employee. You will be able to exchange ideas and perceptions and often develop even more advantageous positioning for your ebusiness initiatives.

4. Be ready to network - Bring along lots of business cards, but remember that at any event, your time is limited. There will be exceptional networking opportunities at an eMA event. No huge crowds, newbie's, or non-professionals. Almost all fellow delegates will be facing many of the same problems and issues that you are. Engage in discussion opportunities that are not available at any other conference. Take full advantage of breaks, and receptions to meet new friends.

5. Accept fatigue - Traveling and attending an event can take a high energy level. Try to arrive a day or two early to rest and prepare for the event, stay a day longer to unwind and debrief yourself. eMA events provide at least a 5 day "window" for special hotel rates. So book early.

6. Plan your day - Select the sessions that are the most valuable to you and check them off on your conference agenda. Try to arrive early in the morning and take advantage of networking opportunities at registration and breakfast. Focus on the conference and try to avoid phone calls, and other distractions while you are there.

7. Share - When you get back to your office from the event be sure to share the information you've gathered with your staff and peers. The interest and enthusiasm you have will help ensure that you are perceived as an dedicated professional by your associates. Your commitment to progress will be of benefit to your company and or your clients.

8. Consult - Take advantage of the post-conference consultation offered to all delegates at eMA conferences. Many delegates have solved problems and found exceptional solutions by utilizing this service. No other conference that we know of offers this kind of post event resource.

9. eMail - Be sure to connect via email with your new contacts and friends within 2 weeks after the conference. Developing a strong contact list can be one of the most valuable benifits of your participation. Who you know can often be as important as what you know.

 

Well, there is a bright spot.  According to a report from GroupM, Interactive media's share of advertising budgets has increased from 8% in 2005 to 14% this year and should reach 16% in 2009.  Interactive advertising revenues totaled more than 21 billion in 2007 and were estimated at nearly 5.8 billion in Q1 of 2008, up 18% over the first three months of 2007.

A new format for our eMarketing Conferences.  The eMA recently announced a new format for it's two eMarketing Events.  eM8 and eM9 will add three panel sessions with aproximately 15 speakers, covering general eMarketing, SEO and eMail Marketing.  This will bring the total number of speakers to about 35.  Addtionally, we will be adding a expo hall and expanding your networking opportunities.  We are provideing a free membership in our LinkedIn Conference group with each registration.

The turnover in marketing management has accelerated in recent years.  The average CMO lasts about 2 to 3 years.  You can count on cutbacks, management changes, mergers,and so on. Ultimately, wherever you are is not where you are going to be.

Once again I stress the importance of your network.  As the old saying goes the time to start looking for a job is while you have one.  Join our LinkedIn Network, join the association, go to conferences and events, where you will personally connect with more peers in two days, than you will in two years of sitting at your desk.

Who you know, may be as, or more important than what you know.

I travel a lot.  Most of the time it is only for one or two nights.  I like to travel light.  It would help if I could buy toothpaste, suntan lotion, shave cream, etc., in small packets like the ones they use for ketchup.

Quote from FTC:

“The new rule provisions address four topics:
(1) an e-mail recipient cannot be required to pay a fee, provide information other than his or her e-mail address and opt-out preferences, or take any steps other than sending a reply e-mail message or visiting a single Internet Web page to opt out of receiving future e-mail from a sender;
(2) the definition of “sender” was modified to make it easier to determine which of multiple parties advertising in a single e-mail message is responsible for complying with the Act’s opt-out requirements;
(3) a “sender” of commercial e-mail can include an accurately-registered post office box or private mailbox established under United States Postal Service regulations to satisfy the Act’s requirement that a commercial e-mail display a “valid physical postal address”; and
(4) a definition of the term “person” was added to clarify that CAN-SPAM’s obligations are not limited to natural persons.”

FTC CHANGES CAN SPAM ACT – RELEASE HERE:

 

http://ftc.gov/opa/2008/05/canspam.shtm

 

FULL DOCUMENT HERE

 

http://ftc.gov/os/2008/05/R411008frn.pdf

 

 

eM8 in Atlanta is open for registration, with speakers like, Carol Kruse, Vice President Global Interactive Marketing for the Coca-Cola Company and Murray Gaylord, Vice President of Marketing for the New York Times.com, this conference is a "must attend" event for all marketers looking to improve their ROI and bottom line results.  The event will feature many new speakers as well as the best rated speakers from prior events, all with brand new presentations.

Hope to see you in Atlanta.  I will buy you a Coke.

COPYRIGHTS

A copyright provides an owner with the exclusive rights to reproduce a certain work for a specified period, subject to some basic limits. The term of a copyright is the lifetime of the author plus 50 years in the case of identifiable, living authors. Copyrights arise automatically and are inexpensive to register.

Searching for a prior copyright is probably unnecessary. Copyright infringement can be avoided by establishing that a work was independently created. Therefore, records showing independent creation are helpful to avoid liability. Even with such records, establishing independent creation may be difficult if the original work was widely disseminated or otherwise available to the alleged infringer. In one such case, the court held that, although copying may have been unconscious, the original was nevertheless infringed.

One of the limits to copyright protection is that ideas (compared to expressions) and technology (computer software aside) are generally not protected. This means that our inventor is free, at least as far as copyright laws are concerned, to use any information that can be found in books on mousetrap designs and to make and sell working copies of anything shown or described. Copyright gives the owner only the right to prevent reproduction of the text or drawings themselves.

What if the inventor wants to use some of that text, for example, in an advertisement? There is a remote possibility that such use might be protected under the "fair use" defense, but it would be very unwise to proceed without getting permission from the copyright holder or seeking expert advice.

I liked what Seth Godin had to say about B2B marketing. "

"Business to business marketing is just marketing to consumers who happen to have a corporation to pay for what they buy."

Banner ads have several advantages. First, they are relatively easy to produce and place. They can also be placed on specific sites, which means that you have a good level of control targeting specific audiences.

Banners also are good for "branding" -- Even if users don't click on your banner, a large audience will still see it, creating name and brand recognition. This repetition of your message may increase sales in the long run.

There are also several problems with banner ads. With the large number of banner ads on the Internet, they are becoming more and more ignored by experienced Internet users. This accounts for the diminishing "click-through" rates banners have been experiencing.

Banners also have a short shelf life -- studies have shown that most banners lose their effectiveness after about 30 days. This means that this is a marketing method that you will have to change more often than some others, to make sure that it stays fresh for the audience.

A final issue with banners is that they are intended to carry a VERY brief message -- a banner will hold the attention of a customer for about 3-5 seconds. If your message is too complicated or involved to convince a user to click in that short of a time period, a banner is probably not going to be an effective tool for you.