Summary of Adestra's Presentation on Best Practice EZines at the July NEPA Conference

At the recent Online Marketing Show, Adestra ran an email clinic. Attendees spent time with an Adestra expert who provided feedback and useful advice about how they could improve their campaigns.

Main Lessons

Data, data and more data is the main factor holding back B2B and B2C email marketers

Data Management:

Many marketers are only capturing email address and failing to use follow-up communications to capture further information. From demographics to coherent reporting lines to feed back recipient behaviour, marketers’ databases are limited to contain only the information from the first contact.

Reporting:

drowning in simple metrics such as clicks and opens, many marketers are unable to use the results of their campaigns in strategic decision making or for calculating return on investment (ROI). Many marketers are finding that their senior management perceive email as a cheap channel and not a traditional, measurable direct marketing channel. Only being able to provide limited reporting feeds this view.

Tracking technology:

many marketers do not use robust tracking systems, finding them technologically complicated. Costly web analytics packages are being deployed in some cases, but on the whole, many marketers are ignoring simple tactics such as duplicating a product marketing page and tracking orders through it.

Steve Denner, Director of Adestra commented “After a long day and many conversations with many email marketers, almost everyone I’ve met uses email marketing intelligently. However, it is really refreshing that these marketers recognise there are ways in which they can improve their marketing further and I’m glad that Adestra have been able to provide some practical and helpful advice to help them do this.”

This confirms the empirical findings of a recent Adestra survey

Adestra have conducted a detailed survey of 65 UK based marketers to investigate what they believe are the main challenges facing them within their email marketing. Both B2B and B2C companies participated including companies such as Ford Motor Company, Coors Brewers, Prudential, Investec Asset Management, RAC, Future Publishing Ltd, Cotton Traders and Reed Business Information.

Main Findings

• 34% of B2B and 29% of B2C marketers in the sample agree that the growing, cleaning, and management of their email contact database is the aspect of their email marketing program that they could improve most
  
• When considering what ‘hot topics’ marketers wanted to learn more about to improve their email marketing, both B2B and B2C marketers voted for the same aspects:
  • Deliverability: ensuring messages get to inboxes
    
  • Message design: optimised design and lay-out of messages
    
  • The future for email: new emerging technologies within email marketing e.g. rich media
    
  
  
• B2B marketers want to learn more about best practice lead generation email programs whereas B2C marketers prefer to discover more about eZine newsletters.
  
• 4 out of 5 respondents in the sample plan to use email marketing more in 2006.
  

Reviewing the survey results, Paul Crabtree Marketing Director of Adestra, commented

“Interestingly, both B2B and B2C marketers are facing similar challenges despite using email marketing in different ways. They want to learn more about issues such as deliverability and spam and most recognise that there are faults within their existing programs, especially in the way they manage their email contact database”

He continued “With 80% of the UK marketers in the sample planning to use email marketing more in 2006, and the willingness of the sample to accept that there are numerous ways in which they could improve their email marketing program, I urge marketers to consider working with email marketing specialists such as Adestra to use their expertise when developing their email programs”

Learn from other marketers

Working within email marketing for over 5 years, Adestra’s email experts have real-life experience of working with B2B and B2C players alike including publishers, event organisers, travel/ tourism providers, charities and many more- a unique opportunity to learn from the mistakes of others!

Contact us

We would welcome the chance to discuss your email marketing objectives and plans, and would encourage you to contact us.

Free email marketing white paper

Adestra have produced a white paper on the challenges that today’s UK email marketers are facing when trying to implement their email marketing program

The research is based upon a survey of 65 marketers before the show, discussions with over 170 contacts during the show and our ongoing dialogues with our clients. It includes Adestra’s suggestions on how you can overcome challenges including:

• Improving data management: email contacts and feedback loops
  
• Find relevant case studies to learn from
  
• Sifting all the data from your email campaigns to find actionable information
  
• Overcoming the office politics associated with email marketing
  

To receive a free copy of this white paper, please go to www.adestra.co.uk/email_marketing.

Paul Crabtree is presently Marketing Director of Adestra (http://www.adestra.com), a UK based digital marketing agency that specialise in inbound and outbound email, fax and SMS broadcast solutions. Adestra's client portfolio includes many UK based publishers including Janes Information Group, Informa, Lexis Nexis, OUP, Blackwells and others.

Previous to this role, Paul was responsible for heading-up online marketing for Informa Telecoms' publishing division working on a portfolio of reports, newsletters, ad-led vehicles and the industry portal telecoms.com.

Paul will draw on his 5 years of focused experience in working in online marketing for publishers.

Find The Things That Are Most Important To You

Find the things that are important to you and pursue them with vigor. We all have varying degrees as to what we believe to be most important to us.

For example, you might wish to run your own business. For someone else it may be for them to become the best "household executive" that they can be. And for yet another person it might be to give to charity, or perhaps it is to be a friend to all.

No matter what you view as being most important to you, the fact remains that some really amazing things begin to happen to us once we have clearly identified those things in our life that we view as being most important.

However, identifying them is only half the battle. Once we've identified what we see as being most important to us it's time to begin taking the steps towards working on them. You see, when our goals (and the steps we take each day) are aligned with our values it becomes easier to achieve things.

The moral of the story you ask? By seeing to it that our goals are carefully in tune with our values it is my sincere belief that we in turn make it that much easier on ourselves as we move forward in the journey of reaching our intended destination.

Here's to your success, Josh Hinds

(c) All rights reserved.

Josh Hinds specializes in helping people set and achieve their goals and live the life of thei

Beadweaving Techniques for Beginners

The good news is, unlike painting, sculpting and ceramics, beading is a relatively inexpensive art to pursue. The bad news – if you can really call it that – is that beading requires just as much effort and dedication to reach a high standard of artistic work. Like a lot of pursuits, it’s easy to look at the finished product and think, ‘I could do that’ but try it and you’ll soon discover it’s not quite as effortless as it looks!

There’s a long road of learning between threading together a string of pony beads and covering a handbag with an intricate seed bead design but it is definitely achievable. The important factor is to start small and add challenges as your confidence grows. One great plus is that beading is utterly addictive - once you start, you’ll be hooked!

There are some very good books around covering all types of beading techniques, and you’ll even find sites on the internet dedicated to helping beaders at all stages improve their craft. You have to start somewhere, and it’s essential to know about the basic stitches and what effects they create.

Peyote stitch

Peyote stitch is one of the most popular off-loom beadwork techniques in the world today. There are a number of different types of peyote stitches, some easier to master than others. There are ‘even count’, ‘odd count’, ‘tubular even count’, ‘tubular odd count’ and ‘flat round’ peyote stitches. All ‘tubular odd’ peyote stitches create patterns that resemble a range of hills, the top of the hill is visible on the even numbered beads in a row when using ‘even count’ and on the odd numbered when using ‘odd count’. You can also use two beads at a time, which is called ‘two drop’. It is a very flexible stitch, and lots of different patterns can be made out of peyote stitches but ‘tubular odd’ stitches will not make symmetrical designs.

Netting stitch

As the name implies, netting uses beads to make a pattern like a net. It’s sometimes also called latticework. This stitch produces an open, lacy effect and as a result bracelets and necklaces drape beautifully around the wrist and neck. Netting stitch was very popular in Victorian times, although it is much older than that, dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Netted beads can be stitched onto fabrics or used to make items like handbags and jewellery. You can use pony beads and even the smallest seed beads to make beaded netting.

Square stitch

Square stitching means beads are sewn together to form a regular, continuous shape that looks rather like a flat piece of fabric. Upon first glance, you could easily be mistaken for thinking that a square stitch piece of beadwork was created on a loom. It’s one of the easiest stitches to learn and one with many uses. Because the thread goes through each bead several times, it’s also one of the hardest wearing beading techniques. It’s very uniform to look at but can be livened up by using different coloured beads to form images and patterns.

Brick stitch

Brick stitch (sometimes called Comanche stitch) is a very popular stitch with beaders because of its versatility. As you might expect, the resulting pattern resembles brickwork. It’s an ideal stitch to use when making triangular shapes as it allows beaders to drop and take up beads with relative ease. It is a more solid stitch and is used for creating an array of beaded items, from simple bracelets to amulet purses and freestanding three dimension beadwork pieces.

Ndebele or Herringbone stitch

Ndebele (pronounced ehn-duh-bel-ay) is a herringbone stitch originating in Africa, although the style was also used in ancient Egypt. Ndebele is actually not as difficult to do as it is to pronounce, and the results are very pleasing. With herringbone stitch there are endless possibilities; try increasing and decreasing stitches and you’ll quickly create some beautiful shapes and textures. Ndebele stitch works well with both seed and tubular beads.

About the Author: Tracy Stillman is a freelance writer and the owner of Not Just Beadz, an online bead shop which provides quality beads and beading supplies at affordable prices. http://www.notjustbeadz.com

Business Advisers! Who Are They and How to Choose Them Effectively

The high failure rate of small businesses proves many business owners do not have what it takes to run a business effectively. The common attitude towards seeking advice that it is too expensive. However, a few dollars spent each year can save you thousands of dollars later on as
it is extremely important to choose your advisers carefully.

So, who are these advisers?

1. Your accountant: A good accountant can provide advice and assistance in all aspects of financial management, sources of finance and applying for finance.

A good accountant is not only for tax purposes. It is someone who can and will steer your business the right way. They will know your business’ strengths and weaknesses and can determine any potential financial problems or any potential opportunities. They will work with you closely to monitor your success and show you how to avoid mistakes and work on achieving your targets the right way.

Your accountant is one of the few people whose job it is to be aware of your business finances. They can predict success and failure based on the ups and downs of your business figures.

Good communication with your accountant is extremely important. Plan to have a meeting at least once a month (regardless of the cost) just to discuss your business progress. Once again, if your accountant is not willing to share this information, then look for someone else.

Not all accountants do the same type of work. Most accountants have a specialty. You need to find the right accountant to suit your business needs.

Ask for recommendations, keeping in mind that your accountant must be qualified. I can’t stress enough how important a good accountant is for your business. Even before you start your business get a professional accountant to help you.

Some tips to consider when choosing your accountant:

•Fit for purpose: Consider your needs.

•Qualifications: Verify claimed qualifications.

•Experience: Investigate their expertise with your industry or business type.

•Communications: How well does this person communicate with you? Do they listen?

•Word of mouth: Ask other small business owners about how they found their accountant.

•Accessibility: If you need advice fast, will they respond? Are you better off with a smaller firm to whom your business is really important or does a larger firm have better resources?

•Write on: Get all details such as who in the firm undertakes your work, fees and services offered in writing, so there’s no room for error or misunderstanding. Your accountant should provide an engagement letter setting our agreement including how and when fees are rendered.

•Listen to instinct. Women do have a higher emotive intelligence and we should acknowledge when we feel uncomfortable about working with someone and act accordingly.

Who actually does your work is another issue. Many firms have a tier arrangement where costs decrease as you move down from partner to manager or senior to junior accountant.

You should check as smaller firms will have more partner contact and if you want this with a larger firm then affordability may become an issue.

2. Your bank manager: Your bank manager can provide valuable advice based, on his or her experiences. Banks deal with small businesses every day.

During the early stages of business plan development, your bank manager can often help you by pointing out the potential pitfalls.

Check the different business accounts available with various banks or credit unions. Choose a bank that is suitable for your type of business and that is willing to meet your needs. If the bank is unable to accommodate your financial requirements, your bank manager can probably suggest the best alternative financial institution.

3. Your solicitor: Proper legal advice in business can save you thousands of dollars. It is a good idea to look for a suitable solicitor before you need one.

Get referrals from friends and advice from your employer association to locate the best solicitor in a particular field.
Any legal agreement your business has or is considering undertaking should be examined by your solicitor, to ensure your best interests are being protected.

When choosing your advisers, don’t base your decision on friendship, family or convenience.

Shop around, talk to other business owners and get recommendations. Find advisers who are: empathic and caring, trustworthy, experienced, well qualified, and prepared to understand the needs of your business.

Good advisers bring objectivity to your business. Sometimes they may recognize the early warning signs that you might have missed because you are too involved in your business. They look at your business from outside the box and can see things from a different viewpoint.

WARNING: If you are not happy with your advisers... DON’T BE AFRAID TO CHANGE THEM… Your business comes first.

By Lama Kalla. Copyright 2005

Lama Kalla -Business owner, mentor and author of "women in small business - Setting your business right the first time" e-book which is dedicated exclusivley to every woman eager to succeed in small business TODAY!!!
http://www.womeninsmallbusiness.com

The Solution to Your Financial Problems

Missed payments and choice commonly hap because someone has unsuccessful to verify into kindness unheralded circumstances that crapper hap and preclude successfully stipendiary one’s debts. It is primary for this grouping to intend discover of debt; otherwise boost outlay module seriously cooperation their assign power and modify venture bankruptcy.

Even though there are whatever structure to intend discover of debt, not every of them are acquirable for everyone. Sometimes reaction expenditures patch gathering expensive give payments is impossible, and since whatever expenditures are unavoidable they default. For those with intense credit, it’s hornlike to intend a give and Bad Credit Loans are an choice that is not ever a resolution and sometimes adds up to the difficulty cod to the broad welfare rates.

Bad Credit Loans

Failing to clear (even if you foregather woman discover digit or digit payments) affects your assign reason and is transcribed in your assign history. Though you haw obtain a give with intense credit, you’ll either hit to assume with higher welfare rates or place your concern as confirmatory thusly risking losing it if you move to woman payments.

Though intense assign loans circularize higher welfare rates or the venture of repossession, they are sometimes the exclusive choice for those who cannot intend lawful loans. If you hit likewise whatever stains on your assign story and you conceive you won’t be healthy to be authorised for a lawful loan, then you crapper essay a intense assign give lender.

There is added artefact of reaction the welfare evaluate live on this category of loans that doesn’t show substance an quality as collateral. This is especially adjuvant for non homeowners who wouldn’t be healthy to substance confirmatory anyway. Getting the assistance of a co-signer (a beatific assign digit is better) module indorse that you intend authorised and the welfare evaluate module also be low as this mortal acts as a patron of your debt.

Debt Consolidation Loans

On the another hand, a debt compounding give module turn your payments, your debt and your creditors to one. You’ll intend to move the give in small monthly installments for a large punctuation of time. If you crapper substance whatever category of confirmatory you’ll modify intend small rates making it easier effort discover of debt in a nearby forthcoming if your income increases.

If you see that bills and debt hit antiknock you to a hole you can’t intend discover of but you undergo you crapper attain the sacrifices to turn or curb your outlay in visit to foregather exclusive digit commercialism and refrain effort into more debt, a debt compounding give is the correct choice for you. You module refrain the alarming consequences of a insolvency and still intend a firm start.

Kate doc is a professed consultant with cardinal eld in the business field. She helps grouping in the impact of securing individualized loans, mortgage, refinance or compounding loans and prevents consumers from dropping into business scams.
Smart tips and engrossing articles on this person and another business attendant topics crapper be institute at her website http://www.speedybadcreditloans.com

in charge debt solutions , debt negotiation service , freedom debt management , credit debt solutions , debt consolidation poor credit , consumer debt solution , debt repayment calculator , business consolidation debt loan , credit debt solution , small business debt consolidation , debt consolidation credit report , non profit debt counseling , debt consolidation pros and cons , debt relief loan , military debt consolidation , consolidate consolidation debt loan , non profit debt management , christian debt reduction , help debt relief , consolidate student loan debt , get me out of debt , consumer debt management , debt free loan , debt management software ,