Category Archives: Uncategorized

Does Your Customer Service Email Response Time Measure Up?

September 9, 2009 – 4:15 am

A few weeks ago, I reported on the many missed income opportunities uncovered by the Mailorder Gardening Association’s recent Secret Shopper Survey. Following on the heels of that, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by the dismal results from Forrester Research’s survey of response times to customer service emails. (Click on the headline for more…)

By Val Gosset | Tagged | Comments (2)

Keep an Eye on Your 12-Month Buyer Count

August 28, 2009 – 4:15 am

When planning marketing and circulation strategies, one of my first questions is the size of a company’s 12-month buyer file. I’m always surprised at how frequently company owners don’t know this critical piece of information. In addition, it’s important to know (Click on the headline for more…)

By Val Gosset | Leave a Comment

Weeding Out the Bargain Hunters

August 24, 2009 – 4:15 am

I just came across an interesting method for weeding out bargain hunters who reach your web site through paid search. (Click on the headline for more…)

By Val Gosset | Also posted in Pay-per-click advertising | Leave a Comment

Tips for Creating More Useful Financial Reports

July 27, 2009 – 4:15 am

At this month’s Mailorder Gardening Association conference, Al Bessin of Lenser gave an excellent presentation entitled Managing Your Way to Higher Profits: How to Turn Financial Reporting into a Useful Tool for Managers. He made a potentially deadly dry topic both interesting and actionable.

Al suggested creating a separate management P&L, reorganized to make it more useful. Among his suggestions: (Click on the headline for more…)

By Val Gosset | Tagged | Leave a Comment

Make Your Packing Slips User-Friendly

July 24, 2009 – 4:15 am

As part of the Secret Shopper Survey that Tom Beddows of THB Direct recently performed for the Mailorder Gardening Association, he focused on packing slips. Among his findings: (Click on the headline for more…)

By Val Gosset | Tagged , | Comments (1)

Welcome, Oakes Daylilies!

June 19, 2009 – 4:15 am

We’re pleased to welcome Oakes Daylilies of Corryton, TN as a new client. Long a Garden Watchdog Top 30 company, Oakes has built a reputation for large, vigorous plants and superb customer service. With over 400 varieties of daylilies to choose from, Oakes serves both the backyard hobbyist and avid collector. We’re looking forward to helping them grow!

By Val Gosset | Leave a Comment

Email Marketing Laws and Guidelines

May 29, 2009 – 4:15 am

I frequently get questions about what is and isn’t allowed in advertising emails. The first part of the answer… (Click on the headline for more…)

By Val Gosset | Also posted in Email marketing | Tagged | Leave a Comment

Welcome, Rugged Country Plants!

April 6, 2009 – 4:15 am

We’re pleased to welcome Rugged Country Plants as a new client. Rugged Country specializes in native plants that thrive in the tough, dry conditions of the Intermountain West, between the Cascades and the Rockies. Have a look at their new website at www.RuggedCountryPlants.com.

We’re looking forward to helping them grow!

By Val Gosset | Leave a Comment

When the “Huh?” Factor Works To Your Advantage

March 4, 2009 – 4:15 am

Every good direct marketer knows that a blind headline – one that elicits a “Huh?” reaction – kills sales. It may attract attention, as proponents suggest, but not the kind that makes the cash register ring.

I recently learned of one situation in which the “huh” factor works in your favor. (Click on the headline for more…)

By Val Gosset | Tagged | Leave a Comment

Alternative Payment Options More Important Than Ever

February 18, 2009 – 4:15 am

In a recent blog post, we talked about the increasing popularity of alternate payment options like Bill Me Later and eBillMe. There’s growing evidence that such payment options are more important than ever.

A December survey by Synergistics Research Corp. shows that one in six consumers had been denied credit in the previous three months. More buyers who have credit available are simply choosing not to use it.

Studies show that offering multiple payment options pay off. One survey by CyberSource Corp. showed that consumers complete purchases 14% more often when a retailer offers three or more types of payment instead of one or two. Is it time for you to look into alternative payment systems?

By Val Gosset | Comments (1)
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