John Kerry, Amazing Direct-Marketer!

If you want to uncover a little secret about how John Kerry and the Democratic party is "building their e-mail list", with literally thousands of qualified leads... then listen closely!

I know nothing about John Kerry, and I know even less about his running mate, John Edwards. But, I do know this:

They've got one heck of a smart marketing team on their side!

Check this out: Before John Kerry revealed who his running mate was going to be, he announced on his web site, if you "signed up" to be on his e-mail list... he was going to tell you his vice-presidential running mate selection... several hours before he made his "official" announcement to the public.

Do you know what John Kerry was doing, by giving you this "incentive" to subscribe?

He was using a good old-fashioned 2-step lead generation selling formula, to add qualified prospects to his mailing list.

Just think about it: Political parties, like any other business, can't do anything without supporters. And for the most part, unless you're politically-minded and politically involved, you're not going to be surfing around John Kerry's web site in the first place, right?

You see, John Kerry didn't want your e-mail address just so he can tell you who his running mate was going to be... he wants your e-mail address so he can send you a consistent flow of marketing messages.

He wants to "drip" on you periodically.

Because the truth is, you don't become an asset to the Kerry campaign just by "visiting" his site -- you become an asset to them if they can stay in constant contact with you, sending you marketing messages... getting you all fired-up to vote for him... and hopefully, getting you to...

Donate Money!

What else were you thinking, he wants you to come over and watch the Golf channel with him on Sunday afternoon?

Anyway, there's an important lesson in this, for smart direct-marketers like you... to learn from John Kerry and his team.

And here it is: Remember... your prospects aren't visiting your web sites... they're not reading your display ads... and they don't register to be on your e-mail list, unless they're...

Interested in what you're selling!

It's true!

Whether you're selling political party beliefs... furniture... or hearing aids, people won't "sign up", unless they want some of what you've got.

So how can you use this to generate qualified leads in your business?

Well, let me give you a real-life example of a company that's had an incredible history of using direct-marketing to create fiercely loyal customers who are simply starving for more product, and... it's in an industry where you wouldn't think you'd have such strong direct-marketers, to boot.

Remember the rock band, "The Grateful Dead"?

The Grateful Dead's web site, www.dead.net, is incredibly well-run and consistently marketed.

Here's what they do: Whenever a new CD is going to be released (which seems to be about every 2 to 3 months), you get an e-mail message notifying you in advance, and giving you a chance to "pre-order" this new CD.

But that's not all -- usually, each pre-order comes with an additional CD, that's commercially unavailable -- meaning, you can't get it anywhere else. The only way you can get this additional "FREE Bonus CD ", is by ordering your CD from their website.

So you see, this offer does two things:

First, it's a compelling offer. Getting a FREE Bonus CD (which is usually a live concert recording, or some studio out-takes -- and they're always good) gives you a ton of incentive to order directly from them.

And second, the Dead's record company makes a heck-of-a-lot more money selling to you directly, instead of through one of their distributors or affiliates.

Could the Dead's offer be improved?

You betcha. See, they're really not giving you a powerful reason to "act now".

In other words, you can wait until the CD comes out, or wait a few months from now, and you'd still get to take advantage of this offer to get the extra "FREE Bonus CD".

They should offer you one extra thing, like maybe a FREE set of stickers, or another FREE CD, "if you order sometime in the next 10 days"... or "if you order by the "18th of April"... or "if you're on of the first 1,253 people to order"... or something like that.

But by-and-large, they do a much better job of marketing than most businesses. And they do it consistently.

And even if you're only a semi-decent marketer, doing something... and doing it consistently... is bound to put a nice little bundle of money into your pockets.

So whether you're selling candles... or psychic readings... or business opportunity packages... you can use these exact same techniques to make more money for yourself in your business.

P.S. Next week, I'm going to reveal another lead-generating selling formula, that can make you a fistful of dollars. It's exciting... and it's a lot of fun to use... but it's often over-looked.

It has to do with Radio Shack... furniture stores... and Clarissa The Goat!

P.P.S. Just kidding about the goat.

Craig Garber is America's Top Direct-Response Copywriter. You'll find hundreds of marketing tips to increase your sales, and his insanely popular FREE Unconventional and Irreverent Daily Direct-Response Marketing Tips, on his website, http://www.KingOfCopy.com

---

A Simplified Marketing Plan that Works!

When I started my first business in 1981, I researched... Read More

Why Insight and Flexibility is More Important than Perseverance in Marketing

Marketing successfully requires not only insight into how a product... Read More

3 Simple Selling Tactics

The following 3 simple selling tactics produce sales by responding... Read More

Get FREE Web Tips From Your Competition

I knew this one would get your attention. How can... Read More

Non-Aggressive Marketing Ideas for Enterpreneurs

Do you cringe at the thought of trying to promote... Read More

Build a Dynamic Business - 10 Steps to Start You Off

It's where your employees are in a 'special place' when... Read More

You Cannot - Not Market

Everything you do - or don't do sends a message... Read More

8 Secrets to Marketing Success

The profits of a business are totally dependent on marketing.... Read More

High Response Marketing With Low-Cost Postcards

Postcards can drive a huge amount of traffic to your... Read More

Ready, Aim, Fire...Oops...Wheres The Target?

Everywhere you go on the Internet you find the words,... Read More

Top Five Tips For Designing Marketing Strategies That Get Results

"But this won't work" said Steve. "I've tried it in... Read More

Two Methods of Marketing Using Joint Ventures

Whether you're a contractor a local merchant with 150 employees,... Read More

7 Ways to Evaluate Your Marketing Plan

Business owners often find it difficult to know whether their... Read More

The Top 10 Ways to Market your Business or Professional Practice Without Networking

While focused, strategic networking is usually the most efficient way... Read More

Are You Guilty Of Interruption Marketing?

You muted the commercials on the TV last night because... Read More

Four Simple Ways to Cut Your Trade Show Marketing Budget in Half

Many times when a trade show is planned for there... Read More

Writing Guarantees that Sell

"This offer is good but can you guarantee it."Why write... Read More

Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer

Bridging the Chasm from Lead to Loyal Customer: A Step... Read More

Developing the Unique Selling Proposition

The "Unique Selling Proposition" advertising campaign was developed by Reeves... Read More

Unique Marketing Ideas That Generate Cash!

First of all - keep in touch with your customers!... Read More

Has the Internet Killed Off the Direct Mail Baron?

Over the past 30 years, direct mail has been responsible... Read More

Distinguish Your Business From The Competition

You followed time-honored online marketing techniques to the letter: you... Read More

Marketing to Hispanics/Latinos

A powerful consumer market with annual spending power exceeding $350... Read More

Getting New Clients - When Only a Few is More Than Enough

Many of the business owners I speak with are looking... Read More

Like Brushing Your Teeth

What do the following things have in common: brushing your... Read More

Medias Dirty Little Secret

I'm constantly amazed by all of the media reps from... Read More

At the Speed of Light

How many times has someone you've called said, "Why don't... Read More

Hello, My Name Is . . . What Your Name Tag Says About You

When you attend networking functions, what kind of name tag... Read More

Creating a Marketing Timeline That Works: 17 Simple Ideas for Marketing Your Small Business

"Goals are dreams with deadlines." -Diana Scharf HuntWhen clients come... Read More

People Do Business with People They Like

People do business... Read More

Developing a Contact List- Part Two

In a previous installment, we spoke about how to come... Read More

Help! What Happened?

Let's be honest, when you're writing sales material for a... Read More

Have You Tried Cause Marketing?

To help promote your small business or professional practice, consider... Read More