FanMail has always been the "Cadillac" of fan management. This is great for most of our clients. They need the type of robust software and services that we have built our reputation on.

However we also realize that there tons of artists, independent labels, independent promoters and venues out there who really just need a solid, reliable, no frills system to manage their fans.

We have a solution. http://www.fanmaillite.com/

FanMail Lite includes all of the tools to acquire, retain and grow a fan base. It is built for the indy!

Accounts start off 100% FREE. No cost.. just sign up here and start collecting fans and building campaigns.

If you like what you see and want to upgrade to send bigger campaigns, then just drop us a line.

Labels: band management, fan management, fanmail lite, fans, innovation, subscribers

Over the past few months, Andy Gadiel over at JamBase has quietly been working with our technology partner ExactTarget and Google to pilot a program which integrates Google ad manager with dynmic emails.

In a nut shell, the integration allows websites that use Google ad manager to dynamically place those ads into emails. Doesn't sound like that big of a deal right? But it is.

See, email service providers don't allow java scripts in email and java script is exactly the thing which is used to dynamically place ads on a website. Up to now it has been impossible to place ads from a website into an email. This integration will allow web based retailers to place highly relevant advertising into their email marketing while increasing there ad revenue from impressions.

Anybody want to check it out? Contact me: david (a+) fanmailmarketing

Labels: API, automated interactions, email marketing, google ad manager, innovation, triggers

So I bought tickets to The Bandwidth Conference this summer from their sponsor and vendor Ticketweb.



Now in true Ticketmaster style (the parent company), I get weekly "ticket alerts!". errrrr!


The effort is good. The content is dynamically driven off of my location and things that might interest me. The problem is that I never asked for these damn things and they don't really give me an easy way out. They don't respect me or value my permission. They totally missed the point of permission marketing.



See, to opt out of the email I don't get a single click unsubscribe... instead I have to go through a login. What?! I have no idea what the password is that was used to make the purchase. Instead I push my handy "Report Spam" button. Ahaha! Problem solved and future loyal customer lost.






What is the moral of the story?

• Serve The Individual - Communicate with people not lists
• Honor Their Preferences in content, frequency and channel (ie sms, email, rss etc)
• Deliver Value That Serves Their Needs
  

Labels: best practices, email marketing, feedback, innovation, permission, permission marketing, subscribers

I love this:

It is from the creating passionate users blog.

I see a lot people stuck in the middle.

The problem with being in the middle is that while innovative people move on, you are still stuck in the same place.

In direct to fan marketing, the risk is pissing off the fan or causing an "incredible shrinking list".

We pride ourselves on helping our clients become experts in fan communication and helping them over the kick-ass threshold.

Look for "The Fanny Awards" coming from our camp in 2008. We will be looking to spotlight organizations and marketing campaigns that excel in Fan-Centric philosophy, execution and innovation.

Labels: email marketing, FanMail, innovation, visual thinking