Email Campaigns - Do they really work?

Every morning when I wake up, I blindly reach for my iPhone. With it's cool, sleek body in my hands, I gently press my index finger on the mail icon. In a matter of seconds, I see the number of emails that have accumulated overnight - Most of which, I delete without even reading the subject line.

These annoying emails are from companies and websites that I have unknowingly subscribed to and am too lazy to unsubscribe from. Why do companies believe blasting innocent people with annoying alerts will drive more traffic to their websites? If more companies asked me if they could send me annoying emails, maybe I'd consider letting them. But they never do. 

The only emails campaigns that I open and even pay attention to are from companies that I genuinely enjoy. Usually companies blast out email campaigns when they are having a deal. To catch my attention, the subject line needs to have the name of the company and a number. This number screams discount.

Moral of the story, if your customer likes your company enough to receive emails, send them information about sales. If not, your precious email campaign will soon fall into the land of the "junk" folder.

Snapchat

A social media platform that allows you to send someone a picture for a limited amount of time... no wonder it's popular. More and more users are embracing Snapchat. But what can marketers do to make use of this new technology?

1) Mobile Coupons. Why not send your followers coupons and offerings through Snapchat? This would engage more users on the social platform and generate more brand awareness.

2) Exclusivity. With Snapchat being a personal social media platform, customers would feel more exclusive. By giving customers a behind to scenes look into your brand, customers will feel like they a apart of the organization.

3) Preview a Product. By showing exclusive products and ideas to your Snapchat followers, you will generate more brand loyalty. This definitely falls within exclusivity, but it is a perfect way to reach customers, gain their attention and create buzz about a new product.

Sochi Press Fiasco

There has been an ongoing debate if Sochi, Russia is ready to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. As new reporters started arriving in Sochi, they found their hotel accommodations not quite Olympic ready. Many reporters decided to live-tweet their unusual experiences.

Russia has a big press situation on their hands. How should a country deal with this? Besides completing the promised hotel rooms, Russia needs to act quick! The games have already ran over budget at $51 billion. And there are still hotel rooms that are under construction! In my opinion, Russia needs to make sure the rest of the games go smoothly. Really smoothly. The Opening Ceremonies air on February 7. I am curious to see how Russia sets the tone for the rest of the games.    

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/02/04/journalists-at-sochi-are-live-tweeting-their-hilarious-and-gross-hotel-experiences/