'Notification of Payment Received': The First IM 'Whopper' of 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
It sure feels good to get a "Notification Of Payment Received" email from PayPal. Internet Marketers love to dance to that tune.
Except when it's a lie.
Today at 9:39 a.m. ET (U.S.A.) I received a "Notification Of Payment Received" email -- only it wasn't from PayPal.
It was from an Internet Marketer who thought his use of that headline was clever, that it might prompt people to buy what he was selling.
So, on New Year's Day 2008, I unsubscribed from this marketer's list. I actually unsubscribe from very few lists -- perhaps two all of last year. I remain on lists because I genuinely like the marketer's product or approach, and because list emails provide a free education and fodder for thought.
But "Notification Of Payment Received" emails -- when no payment is forthcoming -- is a bogus practice. There is nothing creative about it. Nothing.
It's an irritant, something that gives a noble pursuit a bad name.
Some marketers argue that such a headline is something that needs to be split-tested, that if it results in conversions, why not use it?
My answer to them is "lotsa luck" with your split-testing of headlines: I am not a conversion, I'm a customer.
Happy New Year, Friends! May you receive many "Notification Of Payment Received" emails this year -- and may they be the real ones.
Patrick Pretty
The "Most Beautiful Little Boy In The World" -- 1964
Labels: " Patrick Pretty, Notification Of Payment Received, PayPal, split-testing of headlines
posted by Patrick Pretty @ 10:08 AM,
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