Do you know what's funny about surveys? They seem so clinical, and yet there are real humans behind them. The first time I had to create a marketing survey was for my Advertising Practicum class in college. The professor had worked out some kind of deal with a few local businesses where we, the students, would develop advertising campaigns for them. They got free ads and we got credits. Great fun! Our team was working with a local pizza kitchen that sold "unusual" pizza - I guess it was sort of California-style, very avante-garde for the early 1990s. We had to develop the whole target audience profile including demographs and psychographics, and then create a survey based on what we needed to know. Most people were really nice, and actually answered the questions! Me, I would have hung up the phone. No mercy for telemarketers and college students.
Back to my original point. I was wondering if my Web Content Awareness Day readers would mind taking a survey. Why? Because I need to know if my information mailings match the audience. Does it address your needs, not just in terms of copywriting and marketing tips, but other aspects of online business as well. Web design, public relations, podcasting, ezines... do I take for granted that the advice shared by myself and my online consultant friends is new and useful for you? Or is it just another form of frenzied communication that you can't be bothered to read?
I get the feeling that as people like myself "come of age" in the marketing world, informational mailings become obsolete for them. I mean really, I remember 3 years ago when all of this was still so new for me. I couldn't wait to receive free tips and advice from marketers in the know. Now though, it's a little different. Most of the marketers who used to leave me spellbound by their knowledge don't really have the same effect. So I would imagine that some people who are on MY list could have the same thing happen to them... outgrowing my emails. And if that's the case, what do you do?
Do you know what I *think* you should do? I think this ezine marketing stuff is cyclical. You show up in some new places, publish a few articles, and prospects come funnelling in. But then, while you manage to hold the attention of some people, others grow weary of hearing the same old advice. Believe it! I think that's why you have to keep on pushing yourself out there and continuing to sniff out new communities where you can attract new readers and connect with new faces. Really.
So, the Web Content Awareness Day survey. I would really appreciate it if you could take it for me, and answer the questions honestly. While you're there, have a look around at SurveyMonkey's convenient survey software. Just like me, you can create surveys as a way to gauge the wants and needs of your own audience.
About the WCAD ezine mailings: does this information help you? Or are you on the list because you know me from "way back when" and you feel guilty unsubscribing? I really think it depends on whatever stage of the marketing game you're in. Struggling newbie, old hand, or somewhere in between? As a subscriber to both my Web Content Awareness AND Word Food Copywriting and Marketing Ezine readers, I really want to know if I'm providing enough value to keep you happy. And if not, what can I do differently? And if there is nothing I can do, will you go gracefully and leave the list without fear or guilt? You know you can always come back, or switch to a different email address, or whatever.
I'm not interested in having *the most* subscribers in the world. I'm interested in having the most subscribers who actually find my copywriting and marketing mailings useful as they move forward with their business plans.
Thanks for reading. Now take the survey, would you? :)
Your friend,
Dina at Wordfeeder.com Copywriting and Marketing
Creator of Web Content Awareness Day - the Information Celebration Happening Right in Your Email Inbox!
