http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:49:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-319 James Harris Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:57:14 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-319 "At worst, it's arrogant and rude." Er, isn't telling someone that they need to raise their standards also a bit arrogant and rude?! “At worst, it’s arrogant and rude.”
Er, isn’t telling someone that they need to raise their standards also a bit arrogant and rude?!

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-1685 James Harris Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:57:00 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-1685 "At worst, it's arrogant and rude." Er, isn't telling someone that they need to raise their standards also a bit arrogant and rude?! “At worst, it’s arrogant and rude.”
Er, isn’t telling someone that they need to raise their standards also a bit arrogant and rude?!

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-320 the_bat Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:54:14 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-320 Congratulations on kicking the "dwell" habit. While I'm not particularly a fan of ranchburgers, neo-colonials, or McMansions, I'm even less of a fan of those who would bash those who do happen to live in one of these. Congratulations on kicking the “dwell” habit. While I’m not particularly a fan of ranchburgers, neo-colonials, or McMansions, I’m even less of a fan of those who would bash those who do happen to live in one of these.

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-1686 the_bat Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:54:00 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-1686 Congratulations on kicking the "dwell" habit. While I'm not particularly a fan of ranchburgers, neo-colonials, or McMansions, I'm even less of a fan of those who would bash those who do happen to live in one of these. Congratulations on kicking the “dwell” habit. While I’m not particularly a fan of ranchburgers, neo-colonials, or McMansions, I’m even less of a fan of those who would bash those who do happen to live in one of these.

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-321 brita Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:20:05 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-321 The Alexander household has fought its own battles with dwell customer service (you think their letters are bad? try giving them a call...). Personal issues aside, one of my favorite re-subscribe tactics is this one: "This could be your LAST renewal notice! All you have to do is send us money NOW!!" (Which is to infer, then, that if we don't send money now, we will be buried in re-subscription notice hell for all eternity.) I also don't understand why they start sending these threats 3 months into a new subscription. Can somebody create a widget to track these, please?? The Alexander household has fought its own battles with dwell customer service (you think their letters are bad? try giving them a call…).
Personal issues aside, one of my favorite re-subscribe tactics is this one:
“This could be your LAST renewal notice! All you have to do is send us money NOW!!”
(Which is to infer, then, that if we don’t send money now, we will be buried in re-subscription notice hell for all eternity.)
I also don’t understand why they start sending these threats 3 months into a new subscription.
Can somebody create a widget to track these, please??

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-1687 brita Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:20:00 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-1687 The Alexander household has fought its own battles with dwell customer service (you think their letters are bad? try giving them a call...). Personal issues aside, one of my favorite re-subscribe tactics is this one: "This could be your LAST renewal notice! All you have to do is send us money NOW!!" (Which is to infer, then, that if we don't send money now, we will be buried in re-subscription notice hell for all eternity.) I also don't understand why they start sending these threats 3 months into a new subscription. Can somebody create a widget to track these, please?? The Alexander household has fought its own battles with dwell customer service (you think their letters are bad? try giving them a call…).
Personal issues aside, one of my favorite re-subscribe tactics is this one:
“This could be your LAST renewal notice! All you have to do is send us money NOW!!”
(Which is to infer, then, that if we don’t send money now, we will be buried in re-subscription notice hell for all eternity.)
I also don’t understand why they start sending these threats 3 months into a new subscription.
Can somebody create a widget to track these, please??

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-322 Kristina Halvorson Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:13:48 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-322 Great discussion, all. Gwyneth, thanks for offering another take on how this COULD have played out. In response to the "What's the big deal?" comments: By my standards, all written communication must strive to capture the same spirit a respectful, in-person conversation would have. This copy falls far short. And whether or not this is "by-the-book" direct mail copywriting is irrelevant. At its best, it's dated. At worst, it's arrogant and rude. Thomas - maybe it's time you raised your standards? Great discussion, all. Gwyneth, thanks for offering another take on how this COULD have played out.
In response to the “What’s the big deal?” comments: By my standards, all written communication must strive to capture the same spirit a respectful, in-person conversation would have. This copy falls far short. And whether or not this is “by-the-book” direct mail copywriting is irrelevant. At its best, it’s dated. At worst, it’s arrogant and rude.
Thomas – maybe it’s time you raised your standards?

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-1688 Kristina Halvorson Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:13:00 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-1688 Great discussion, all. Gwyneth, thanks for offering another take on how this COULD have played out. In response to the "What's the big deal?" comments: By my standards, all written communication must strive to capture the same spirit a respectful, in-person conversation would have. This copy falls far short. And whether or not this is "by-the-book" direct mail copywriting is irrelevant. At its best, it's dated. At worst, it's arrogant and rude. Thomas - maybe it's time you raised your standards? Great discussion, all. Gwyneth, thanks for offering another take on how this COULD have played out.
In response to the “What’s the big deal?” comments: By my standards, all written communication must strive to capture the same spirit a respectful, in-person conversation would have. This copy falls far short. And whether or not this is “by-the-book” direct mail copywriting is irrelevant. At its best, it’s dated. At worst, it’s arrogant and rude.
Thomas – maybe it’s time you raised your standards?

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-323 Thomas Hallett Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:23:34 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-323 I didn't think it was that bad. Seems you're looking too hard for bad content! I didn’t think it was that bad. Seems you’re looking too hard for bad content!

]]> http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/comment-page-1/#comment-1689 Thomas Hallett Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:23:00 +0000 http://blog.braintraffic.com/2009/02/how-not-to-write-or-dwell-loses-a-customer/#comment-1689 I didn't think it was that bad. Seems you're looking too hard for bad content! I didn’t think it was that bad. Seems you’re looking too hard for bad content!

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