Issue 119 of the Excess Voice newsletter for online copywriters

For information on my coaching service for freelancers copywriters, visit:

Excess Voice Newsletter
November 2006, Issue # 119

In this issue:

>> Intro: We charge the same online and off
>> Review: Business Jargon Protest Mugs
>> Article: Where is Email 2.0? And why is commercial email so boring?
>> Post/Find a Job: Want to work for Microsoft?
===============================================

Greetings,

The lineup in this issue is a little different.

Instead of a review and survey, I’m extending, once again, an invitation to write some short “Business Jargon Protest” lines. Remember last year?

Perhaps one of Marli Murphy’s lines will jog your memory:

“Shift my paradigm before I have had my morning coffee and I’ll core your competences.”

The idea is to write a line, short enough to fit on the side of a mug, which pokes fun at the ridiculous business jargon we have to deal with every day.

This issue’s article is on the subject of email. Or, more specifically, Email 2.0.

And if you would like a job as a Senior Marketing Manager at Microsoft, be sure to check out the Post a Job/Find a Job section.

Finally, in response to the last issue's survey, it seems that almost all of us charge the same amount, whether we are writing for offline media or for the web.

Until next time,

Nick

Nick Usborne

Newsletter: http://www.excessvoice.com

Copywriting and consulting: http://www.nickusborne.com

>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com

===============================================

REVIEW: Business Jargon Protest Mugs Contest

If you subscribed to this newsletter a year ago, you may remember our competition to come up with short “Business Jargon Protest” lines.

The best of the best were then placed on mugs, here:
http://www.cafepress.com/jokegifts

And most of the rest were added to a page on the Excess Voice web site, here:
http://www.excessvoice.com/business-jargon.htm

I think, one year later, it’s time to come up with some new lines. And once again, the best of them will be added to mugs, with credit given to the author.

The rules are simple...make your line relevant to the subject of business jargon, and keep it short enough to fit on a mug.

Send your entries to me at: nick@excessvoice.com

>> Previous Reviews

::: At ExcessVoice.com :::

#1. MarketingSherpa's Search Marketing Benchmark Guide 2007

This is another impressive guide from MarketingSherpa. It is over 250 pages in length and covers every aspect of search marketing. If your business depends on strong search results, whether organic or PPC, or both, consider getting a copy of this guide.

Read my review here:
http://www.excessvoice.com/search-marketing.htm

::: At Freelance Writing Success :::

#1. The InfoGuru Marketing Manual

A manual by Robert Middleton that delivers a wealth of hands-on information, strategies, techniques, examples, stories and ideas to help freelancers attract more clients.

Read my review:
http://www.freelancewritingsuccess.com/infoguru.php

#2. The Keurig B60, the perfect one-cup coffee maker for your home office.

It had never occurred to me just how convenient it would be to have a coffee maker in my home office. I no longer have to go to the kitchen to make a whole pot. Now I can make coffee just one cup at a time, with no grinding, filters or mess.

Read my review of the Keurig B60:
http://www.freelancewritingsuccess.com/keurig-b60.php

===============================================

ARTICLE: Where is Email 2.0? And why is commercial email so boring?

Maybe it’s just me. Or maybe I have my spam filter turned up a notch too high.

But I don’t recall the last time I received a commercial email that made me take notice or smile.

It’s not like companies don’t have the opportunity to email me. They do. I buy plenty of things online – books, coffee, software, services and so on. Plus numerous subscriptions.

>> A lack of imagination

Every company I do business with online has my email address and permission to email me.

But when I do receive emails, they are either bland confirmations of a recent purchase, or equally bland suggestions that I buy more.

Why the total lack of imagination?

Why don’t companies attempt to engage my attention? Why don’t they entertain me? Or get to know me? Or make me smile, or laugh even?

And why don’t they involve me, as apart of a community of people who have an interest in their products or services?

>> Meanwhile...back on the web...

Web 2.0 is in full swing. The dollars are flowing, and more and more social network sites are being launched every week.

Word of mouth marketing is hot. The customer-empowered marketplace is finally coming of age.

On the web, people can feel more connected with each other, with communities of people who share their interests and passions. They can personalize their online experiences more than ever before. They can express themselves through blogs, photo sites, MySpace pages and lenses at Squidoo.

But in my email inbox, I’m still reading emails that are as passive, as bland and as unimaginative as they were two years ago, five years ago, ten years ago...

>> It’s time for Email 2.0

I see two elements here.

The first element is about technology.

When is someone going to create the technology that will enable me to save any email I receive to a space of my own on a community site devoted to email?

When will I be able to be part of an online community where people who are passionate about coffee, for example, can upload, share, discuss and rate emails, newsletters, offers and coupons from coffee retailers?

On blogs and web sites I can “diggit”, “reddit”, or “add to del.icio.us”.

Why can’t I do the same with my emails?

The second element brings us back to the issue of imagination.

While marketers wax lyrical about the joys of online communities, they continue to ignore what is the most direct and arguably the most effective channel online – email.

With email you have the opportunity to communicate directly with someone who has raised their hand and said, “I would like to hear from you”.

An opt-in house list is a precious, fragile and powerful thing.

So why don’t we invest more in that area, use some imagination, add some real value and develop this channel to its full potential?

Just imagine...if there were social networks devoted to email and e-newsletters, companies would find themselves under pressure to deliver interesting content.

They only get away with sending boring emails right now, because each email is received in isolation, rather than being shared as part of a passionate community.

** If you would prefer to read this article on the web, or would like to forward the url to a colleague or friend, you'll find it here:
http://www.excessvoice.com/article119.htm

>> Feedback: mailto:nick@excessvoice.com

===============================================

POST A JOB, FIND A JOB: 1 New Job Posted

The Excess Voice Job Board has been up for three weeks now, and we're still a little skinny on new job postings. But the latest one is a good one...

Here is the latest listing:

Web Marketing - Senior Marketing Manager at Microsoft
http://excessvoice.jobcoin.com/jobs/show/278-web-marketing-sr-mkting-mgr

** Looking for a good Writer, Copywriter or Editor?

POST your job listing here:
https://excessvoice.jobcoin.com/jobs/new

===============================================

NICK USBORNE'S SERVICES:

Yes, I do more than write articles and publish newsletters.

Ask me to write for your site, emails and newsletters.
http://www.nickusborne.com/copywriting.htm

Ask me to optimize your key offer pages...
http://www.nickusborne.com/consulting.htm

===============================================

Like coffee? Visit my coffee sites:

http://www.coffeedetective.com/
http://www.coffeebestbuys.com/
http://www.fairtradecoffeenews.com/

And my new blog about working from home...

http://www.homeofficeproductivity.com

===============================================

TELL A FRIEND OR COLLEAGUE about this newsletter...
http://www.nickusborne.com/friend_excessvoice

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? Sign up here...
http://www.excessvoice.com

Writing For the Web #1

7 Challenges every Writer and Copywriter faces when writing for the Web

Sign up NOW and I'll send you the link where you can download this 35-page guide...

(Your email address will be used only for the purpose of sending you this newsletter, and you'll be free to unsubscribe at any time.)

My Programs and Guides

How to Make Money as a Social Media Expert

Profitable Freelancing - Make more money without having to work any harder.

Nick Usborne's How to Write Your Own Money-Making Websites.

Nick Usborne's online copywriting course

Copywriting 2.0 - Your Complete Guide to Writing Web Copy that Converts

Nick Usborne's
Writing Kick-Ass Website Sales Copy

Writing Rituals

A guide to help writers and copywriters increase their levels of productivity.

Sign up for my Excess Voice Newsletter and get this 35-page Guide FREE.

(Your email address will be used only for the purpose of sending you this newsletter, and you'll be free to unsubscribe at any time.)