Three Reasons Why Email is Dead! Research, Data and Statistics (Part 1 of 3) (749)
Are you still collecting emails? Stop! You’re wasting your time.
Part 1 of this three-part series explores:
1. How terrestrial and cyber events are suffering because of the death of email
2. Three researched reasons why it’s a waste of time to collect email addresses
3. How emails meant promotion
4. Tried-and-true solutions to help solve the resulting challenges
(Yes, there really are three parts to this blog. And Yes, I too have been the victim of the marketing trick of posting Part Two of a one part blog, as a means of self-promotion, so readers will search in vain for Part 1. I no longer follow their blogs, and I’ve blocked their email. )
What do telesummits, terrestrial or Internet-based events, and emails have in common?
Nothing anymore.
Email lists and group blasts are going the way of the carrier pigeon.
A hundred years ago a once-mighty species which used to carry messages became extinct. Emails may be the next messenger to become a thing of the past.
Rumors circulating the internet state that telesummits and other internet-based means of promotions no longer work. Why?
Experts think it is because of a lack of interest in events, especially Internet-based events.
I disagree! The problem is not the message. It is in the messenger: Email!
In fact, Internet-based promotions can be more successful than ever before for five reasons:
1. Attendees have the ability to enjoy them from the privacy and comfort of their homes
2. Attendees don’t have to spend money on travel, hotel rooms, and meals
3. Promotions can be viewed and/or listened to live or replayed later at the convenience of the attendee
4. Promoters of internet based promotions do not need to secure expensive venues like hotels
5. Experts/presenters do not need to travel to a land-based venue
Reason number three is especially important for attendees with job or family responsibilities.
So, what is the problem? Email!
Unfortunately, the decline of email is having an enormous impact on many of internet and non-internet-based business-building programs that have relied on them to connect with potential clients.
For instance, it is standard for literary agents to inform writer-conference audiences that an email list of 10,000 is necessary for representation, because publishers would not sign an author unable to self-promote with email reach.
Email- meant promotion…Once Upon a Time.
Large lists were the lifeblood for physical and virtual events, such as:
• Telesummits – Online multi-speaker events that assemble a series of experts to discuss a specific theme and often used for email list building.
• Conferences – An important or notable planned occasion, social gathering, or activity.
• Product launches – A site-based or virtual launch party around the release of a new product.
• Networking events – For making new contacts, leading to new clients, partners, and vendors.
• Seminars/educational events – For professionals or the public with single or multiple speakers.
• Trade shows – A way to position brands as an industry leader and to generate new leads.
Remember when:
• People bought email lists
• Phone Apps were developed to collect emails at events to grow contact lists
• FREE gifts were an enticement for clients to double-opt into email lists
• Clipboards were passed around at events or presentations for email collection
That was then, and this is now. Email addresses don’t matter anymore, because emails are no longer being read, so potential clients are not being reached. This has resulted in a general trend of virtual and in-person event attendance is declining.
If you are an entrepreneur attempting to connect with a high-level clientele by using emails you are wasting your time. Most of these clients don’t read their emails, and hardworking middle-class clients don’t have time to read countless daily emails.
Time is money. It is a precious commodity in our fast-paced world.
I used to read my emails… until I was overwhelmed with more than 350 a day, many of which I had not signed up for (my address had been purchased somewhere or otherwise shared without my consent). I tried to respond to some of those emails, but mine went to Info@, never reaching the person who had sent it. They had no problem spamming me, but did not want to be contacted, except through a link that sold me something. Out of necessity I began to block and unsubscribe to newsletters, blogs and emails, which took time.
But not anymore. Today, my virtual assistant does it for me. And many of my friends and clients, who do not have personal assistants to delete their emails, have special emails that do not allow for unsolicited contact. This is part of the death of email and the end of email blasts. Events which relied heavily on email contact are also dying.
Too much of a good thing became a bad thing.
Abuse killed emails. It is going the way of phone solicitations and the Do Not Call list.
Join me for Part 2 of this 3 part blog which will explore:
• Professional marketing studies that shed light on the decline of the email
• Solutions for the future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kathleen O’Keefe Kanavos is a TV Host/Producer of Wicked Housewives On Cape Cod, Author of International Bestseller & Multi-award winner Surviving Cancerland: Intuitive Aspects of Healing, & 3x Breast Cancer Survivor whose dreams diagnosed cancer. She’s published in medical journals. Kat believes dreams diagnose your life. “Did you have a déjà- vu or dream come true?” Kat’s interpretations are in American Express Open Forum. She’s a Coach & “Go-to authority” on Beauty, Health, Wealth & Relationships, Keynote Speaker/Panelist/Presenter at International Associations, Columnist, & blogs on many professional sites. Kat taught Special Education and Psychology at USF. http://SurvivingCancerLand.com/ www.AccessYourInnerGuide.com
