Vol. 4 , No. 4     January 25, 2005

In this Newsletter:

Get our MarketingProfs RSS Feed here

Premium Content

Allen Weiss
What Are Your Customers Really Worth?

It's clear that keeping customers brings tremendous value to the firm. But how much value, exactly? We marketers should know the answer, because the CEO and Board want to know.

There are myriad ways to calculate the lifetime value of a customer. Here's a simple but highly useful calculation that your firm can use to calculate the lifetime value of your customers.

Get the full story.

Elaine Fogel
Cause-Related Marketing: Does Corporate America Genuinely Care?

When corporate America participates in cause-related marketing programs, it enhances its image, customers show greater loyalty, the public recognizes companies as good corporate citizens, and the companies gain a competitive advantage in staff recruitment and retention.

But does corporate America really care?

Get the full story.

Jean Marie Peachy
Three Critical Steps to Tracking Direct Marketing Campaigns

To optimize campaign performance, you must understand which media is driving response, which creative is most responsive and whether new offers increase response versus previous efforts. You can only draw conclusive results if you are willing to adopt tracking and measurement strategies and tactics prior to launching campaigns.

In fact, agencies as well as clients need to take these three critical steps to ensure flawless execution of tracking.

Get the full story.

A Note to Readers

Q&A: Our Minister of Customer Service

Greetings, discerning readers. Today, this space contains something a little different, as I chat with one of the newest additions to the MProfs team.

Shelley Ryan joined us just a week or two ago as our Customer Service "Top Dog," as she terms it. Shelley is charged with resolving all the small and large customer service issues that plague the business of Web site publishing—from missing newsletters to subscriber login problems. (BTW, if this describes you, reach her at shelley@marketingprofs.com.)

At the very least, she offers you, our loyal subscribers, an ear for complaints and kudos—and (God willing and the creek don't rise) a clear path to resolution.

Ann: You were CEO of BirdNest.com. Aren't you a little overqualified for the Customer Service Minion position?

Shelley: A little overqualified? A lot! I'm here because I'm a fascinated entrepreneur and a longtime fan of MProfs. It's invigorating to participate in a venture destined for Great Things.

Ann: Since you were a fan before you were an employee, what's your favorite MProfs resource?

Shelley: The articles are inspiring, the seminars are rich... but there's undiscovered treasure in the Know-How Exchange (KHE). Every day I'm amazed by the quality of advice offered there! Of course, it all depends on the quality of the question.

Ann: What do you do when you aren't cheerfully assisting MProfs customers?

Shelley: Contemplating my navel. Procrastinating building my "real" resume. Answering questions in the KHE. Writing!

Ann: My ears just perked up. What kind of writing?

Shelley: I'm too far away from Hollywood to do a screenplay. However, a handful of KHE Experts are forming a branding consortium, and we have some articles in the works. Stay tuned!

Ann: Finally, I have to ask... why does anyone want to listen to complaints and problems all day? Wouldn't you make a better living as a therapist?

Shelley: Therapists are overpaid and overrated! (I should know; I'm an experienced customer.) Responding to MarketingProfs members gives me instant gratification, plus it gives me insight into processes I might be able to improve. Call it cheerful meddling.

* * *

See you next week!

Ann Handley
Chief Content Officer
ann@marketingprofs.com

Last Issue's Top 5

Recent Know-How Exchange Questions/Answers

Sean D’Souza
Goal-Chopping: How to Reduce Chaos in Your Strategy

If you can do the three big things this month, quarter or year, you'll not only achieve more and earn more but also find that all of the above is measurable.

Best of all, it will give you a sense of focus; a sense of True North.

Get the full story.

Meryl K. Evans and Hank Stroll
SWOT Team: What's the Least Painful Way to Measure ROI?

Marketing departments often have the challenge of dealing with too much data. This week: How do you collect the right sort of data and measure the efficiency of a marketing campaign? Join the conversation!

Also this week, read your answers to last week's dilemma: What is the best approach to ensure your newsletter code reaches the right inboxes?

Get the full story.

Mary Enderle
10 Golden Rules for Getting Great Work From a Design Agency

Building and maintaining a trusting relationship with your agency is key to project success. Many relationships with agencies fail because clients treat them like vendors instead of partners. They don't value agency advice when they really need to get a fresh perspective in solving a communication challenge.

You can learn that lesson the hard way—becoming battle scarred in the skirmishes with your design agency. Or you can follow these 10 golden rules—and find great teamwork and stronger results in the end.

Get the full story.

Sally Saville Hodge
Using Op-Eds to Advance Your PR Program

A single op-ed article will not change the way you or your organization is viewed overnight.

But combined with other related initiatives, they are an integral part of an expertise-oriented PR program that will help solidify your firm's standing as an expert in its field.

Get the full story.

Contact

Publisher:Allen Weiss
amw@MarketingProfs.com

Content: Ann Handley
ann@MarketingProfs.com

Strategy and Development:
Roy Young
roy@MarketingProfs.com

Director of Premium Services
Val Frazee
val@MarketingProfs.com


Ad/Sponsor Information:
go here or contact jim@MarketingProfs.com

Subscribe to our Future Newsletters

Not a subscriber? Get the latest web and off-line marketing know-how delivered weekly. Solid ideas backed by theory, experience and understanding. We give it to you without the hype and self-promotion found elsewhere.

Advertising Info

Helping marketers from all industries succeed online through highly effective email technology and professional services.

You received this newsletter at this address (%%email%%) as part of your membership to MarketingProfs.com, or because you subscribed to our newsletter. You can easily change the newsletter format to text or html, change your email address by going here.

To leave our mailing list, simply send us a blank e-mail here.

Copyright © 2004 MarketingProfs.com. All rights reserved.
MarketingProfs, LLC  | 419 N. Larchmont  |  #42 |  Los Angeles, California  |  90004
We protect your privacy
All logos and names are the copyrights of the respective owners