VerticalResponse Email Marketing Blog

New Feature! Google Gadget

Are you obsessive about your results? Can't stop clicking that refresh button? The VerticalResponse Gadget is the cure for your compulsion!

Add it to your personalized iGoogle page, or your Google Apps "Start Page" for an up-to-the minute view into your VerticalResponse results.

With the The VR Gadget for iGoogle and Google Apps, you can:

• View real-time stats for your five most recently launched emails and surveys.
• Get the latest email marketing tips, tricks, and best practices from our award-winning blog.

Get The Gadget Now!

So you might be thinking, that sounds great, but what the heck are iGoogle and Google Apps? Watch a short video to find out more!

Great Member Appreciation Idea

I've been talking a bit lately about how important it is to go the extra mile for your customers especially in this economy. A great example came in the mail the other day from my gym. They love people like me because I don't go;-) It's a really great gym with a grill and a spa (which actually I DO go to).

It was a simple piece that looked invitation-like offering us to come in during "Member Appreciation Week" on nice paper folded with a "Member Appreciation Card" tucked inside.

The card had discounts for:

• Private training
• Group exercise one-on-ones
• Complimentary Kinesis® session
• 10% off of any 80 minute spa treatment
• Dinner entrée at the Grill with purchase of entrée of equal or greater value

Nice! Great idea to appreciate your members get them active and give and great offers too. What are you doing to go the extra mile for your customers? Let's hear it!

VR Sponsors Technology Bootcamp All Over Northern CA

VerticalResponse is taking it on the road partnering with the SBDC and NetBooks in Northern CA. The SBDC does this great technology bootcamp about how to use technology to catapult your small business. We're pretty excited that they asked us to be a part of it.

What's Included? For Just $45 You Get:

• 6 sessions presented by industry experts covering the use of technology across all the functions of your business.
• Take-away course book covering all six sessions.
• Access to online resources and training materials
• Breakfast, lunch & beverages
• Networking opportunities with your small business peers

Where Are They?

Fairfield, San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, San Ramon, Ukiah, Eureka, Rohnert Park, San Mateo, & Santa Cruz! Some dates and places are TBD so check back often!

See ya there!

Wolf Coffee - Great Idea to Seed Your Product From a VR Customer

Before our Spring Marketing Conference took place we were contacted by one of our great customers Wolf Coffee in Sonoma. They make some really great coffee. They asked if they could donate some bags of coffee to our attendees! What a great idea to get the word out by seeding your product to potential customers.

Where else do we see people doing this?

• Sporting Events - Hire street teams to give your product away
• Outside of Conference Centers
• Concert Events
• Local Non Profit Galas
• Street Fairs

Wolf Coffee you get a gold star from VR for having a great idea on how to spread the word about your product. Anyone else have luck doing this?

US Holiday Reminder - Mother's Day is Around the Corner

It's that special day that jewelry shops, flower shops and restaurants can't get enough of! What email marketing campaigns are you planning now for Mother's Day which is coming F-A-S-T (May 11th)?

• Wineries - Mother's Day Tasting Event - Mom Tastes Free! Bundle those bottles for a nice basket.
• Restaurants - Mother's Day Brunch with FREE Mimosas! Get Mom happy!
• Day Spa or Salon - Give Mom a Break - A Gift Certificate for massage, nails, facial, hair.
• Jewelry artists or shops - Send a postcard to Moms perhaps she'll leave it out on the kitchen table as a hint!
• Events or Concerts - Got an event that a Mom might appreciate? Send an email with a Mother's Day discount code. I know mine would like to see a local play!
• Retailers - Send an email coupon to all Moms with a Mother's Day discount.
• We've even seen a BOTOX® discount come through for a Mother's Day special! Let Mom treat herself!

Since it's coming up so fast remember to get your emails out now! The more time you give the better. Got any other ideas? Hurry up, we need them, Mom needs them!