Since I am all about helping my fellow nerds find a way to connect with their audience, I think it's high time I put some teeth(or at least my book) into this. Once I week, I am going to provide an example of a nerd-filled communication, offer my suggestions for improving it, and then mail a copy of my book to the selected communicator. If you submit a suggestion to the site, you will receive your very own book copy as well.
So be on the lookout for your copy of the book in the mail. Someone might be trying to tell you something.
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I have my first example today. It is an e-mail that I just found in my inbox. The subject of this e-mail is data quality which sounds interesting enough - right? Well it gets worse.
Here is a smattering of the oh-so-insightful links that you might want to click on :
> A link about "downloading your Stylelist API" (at first I thought this was referring to my stylish API - thank you for noticing.)
> Or how about this one about "16 countries ...certified for New S42 International ...Standard" (we can only imagine the joys of standards A-R and S1-S41)
>And finally you can learn all about "Name Object 2" (you mean there is more than one?)
First a disclaimer, if this e-mail is being sent only to database administrators who thrill to the sounds of "S42" and "Name Objects 1 and 2", then I am totally off-base. These people might want to receive this information in exactly this way. But, if instead, this e-mail is going to the general population, I have a hard time imagining anyone other than me clicking on those links.
Item #1: "downloading your Stylelist API"
Okay, first I had to decipher the code they were using. An "API" from my experience is an "Application Programming Interface" that allows you to connect two pieces of software in a seamless and meaningful (in a non-sexual) kind of way.
It sounds like this is in fact what they are offering. And Stylist is a piece of software they sell that helps you "control the formatting of data within mailing lists to add a personal look that will increase direct mail success."
Here's how I would convert this link to normal-people speak:
Click here to learn more about special software that can help you increase your direct mail success. (then you take them to a landing page that explains the details including the technical specs which are printed in a tiny in little box visible only to the system administrator.)
To be continued ...
1 Comment
Ed Kless
1/7/2009 01:00:16 pm
Well done! Keep 'em comin'.
Reply
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Geni Whitehouse CPA, CITP, CSPM Author, speaker, trainer > 50% Countess of Communication, Brotemarkle,Davis Co. > 50% Writin', speakin', consultin' Co-founder of SolveServices.com a remote bookkeeping service for wineries. How to hire me. Author How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I have a ton of other websites including my newest for Twitter newbies www.evenatwit.com Originally from Greenville, SC, I now live in Napa, California. Contact Geni
I am an accountant on a mission. I want to permanently remove the blight of BORING that has attached itself to members of my profession.
But the boring blight doesn't stop there. It's everywhere. I've found it in wineries (although it's a tad more palatable when served with alcohol), in science labs, even in Art museums. And technology people carry the "B" gene too. But the condition need not be fatal. I lecture around the country to accountants and technology audiences and I have a ball. I was a partner in an Atlanta CPA firm when I realized technology was my true passion and I have been fighting the nerd versus geek battle ever since. Through some stroke of absolutely amazing luck, I now find myself in Napa -- the most gorgeous, hospitable place imaginable. Are you on Twitter? You can follow my nerdy life there : evenanerd Contact me [email protected] I am a graduate of the Jeff Justice Comedy Workshoppe and the Persuasive Speaker course taught by Speechworks. I highly recommend both of these organizations. I have also taken training from the amazing Lynda Spillane. I am not unbiased, nor do I wish to be. I have done work for anyone and everyone in the software industry or the accounting profession. If I am not impressed by what you do or can't find an angle that is interesting or unique, I won't work for or with you. And if you are stodgy or boring, there are not enough dollars or even euros to make me help you. See samples of my writing here: www.salestaxradar.com www.mybizcounts.com Archives
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