OK, I don’t mean it. (Not entirely anyway, I’ll explain in a minute.) Email is obviously great for communicating and has brought the world much closer together…
(Quick question, when was the last time you hand wrote someone a letter and sent it postal mail? I was probably 6.)
…but it does have it’s problems. Notably, spam filters. Ever have an important email get lost in your spam folder? I have. And for me, that usually means I lost a chance at some big bucks.
I’ve had awesome opportunities simply vanish in to my spam filter. And the only reason I know about those is that I found them while digging through the junk, albeit way too late.
Those opportunities include copywriting projects, managing big launches, attending seminars free as a guest… UGH!
But the one that really gets me is when my OWN APPLICATION FORM sends mail to the trash. I recently found a client application that looked like a great lead… in my spam folder… I emailed him back 5 days after he applied and got no reply. I missed my chance.
Of course, there are probably ways to ensure those applications make it to my inbox. But there have been other problems with my application form. It’s written in PHP and uses PHP mail to send the application to my inbox.
Well because I’m on a shared server and PHP mail can be used for spam, my host will randomly shut off the use of PHP mail without telling me. Meaning I’ll not only never receive applications from people who apply until PHP mail is turned back on, I won’t even know there’s a problem!
This has all led me to believe I’m going to need to turn my application form in to an RSS feed. This way whenever I get a new applicant it’ll show up in Google Reader right along side the blogs I read via RSS.
I hope to finish the switch by next week. If you’re a service provider, my bet is you’ll want to switch to this application process too. So when I’m finished, I’ll let you know.
I’m a little confused, for RSS is for reading, not sending, at least from a visitor’s point of view?
How are you going to get leads via RSS?
A.
Nothing will change from the visitor’s end. Behind the scenes I’ll add the applicant’s information to an RSS feed that I’ll be subscribed too. This way I see when an application comes in and don’t have to fear it getting lost somewhere in cyberspace.
Ah, I getcha.
I had a similar issue yesterday, hit “Yes” to “Are you sure you wish to delete?” all messages in my spam folder and just as the screen started to refresh spotted “Re: Copywriting enquiry”…
Happily I was checking via Yahoo and was able to find his reply via my domain’s webmail (and just got his deposit too).
It’s a shame that email has been so abused, to the point it’s hit and miss. I sometimes wonder if the same will happen to VIOP someday? I can picture a future where we’ll all have free calls via Skypfone or something – but being pestered with telesales or missing calls via aggressive filters!
A.
Not only does email suck, but it is becoming irrelevant. I am finding that more people in my niche don’t read email every day. Instead, they are on either Myspace, Facebook, or Twitter, every day, all day long. I send out an email newsletter for the Luddites. Nice post.
Sorry for commenting here but couldn’t on your post about interview with Robert. Is the audio available? Or not.
Thanks. Like the new look.
-Ralph
Hey Stephen – Go get a Gravatar, dude! That way your face will show up next to your comments.
http://www.gravatar.com
Ryan
Ryan Healy’s last blog post..Attending a Business Seminar? Here’s a Simple Travel Tip
Shoot, I’m signed up with Gravatar. I must have just messed something up – let’s see if I fixed it with this comment…
THERRRRE we go.
Hey Ralph, click on the “MP3 Audio” below the video, that should have the file.
Interesting Rick. I like the way you use Twitter. I haven’t attempted Myspace or Facebook for marketing. Maybe I will at some point…
Email’s still doing ok for me though.