In going back over the numbers for the last year or so, one thing is consistent – the fundraising ezine gets opened more than the others. Usually there are about half again as many people, percentage-wise that read the fundraising ezine than the others.

Is that because people working for non-profits are more actively seeking information? Is it because they get less email “junk” and so a message to them is less apt to get lost in the avalanche?

I don’t suppose I’ll know the answer to that question, but I do find it interesting. It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with subject lines.

Something else that’s interesting – if I find a product that I think will help people and send a special message to tell about it, or if I offer a sale on one of my own products, I always get a few unsubscribes.

This week I offered my Real Estate Career Builder course at less than half price: 6 lessons for $47, with a full money back guarantee. And that made a couple people cranky enough to unsubscribe.

Maybe they were agents who have all the business they could possibly want and don’t want to be bothered hearing about how to make more sales? I suppose I could write and ask them why, but I don’t suppose I will. They have a right to unsubscribe without being hassled by me.

Life, and the internet, is full of puzzles. And while we can track results and tweak things in response, none of us can ever really understand what goes on in someone else’s head. We just have to keep trying, if we want to be successful marketers. That does include asking questions if we can do it without being intrusive.

Enough of my puzzles… onward.

Everyone knows that building a list is one of the keys to successful marketing on line. And with that in mind, I’d like to direct you to one of my favorite internet marketing Gurus. David Risley seems to have it all figured out when the subject is how to make a good living with a blog – and his recent article about Viral Landing pages is one I saved to put to use. If you’re trying to build a list, you might want to read it.

But how often do we test the day and time when we send our messages?

I have to admit that I’ve been lax in this – but I intend to start keeping track a little better.

What got me thinking about this was looking at my in-box and noticing that it’s pretty skinny on week-ends compared to the rest of the week. It doesn’t take anywhere near as long to go through and delete all the spam.

Is that because people want to take the week-end off, or because they’ve learned that messages sent during the week get better response?

I don’t send any pure sales messages – my ezines offer my products and services in the sidebars or at the end, but they are primarily messages about marketing or fundraising methods – old ones we need to remember, and new ones I come across.

But I do I watch the open rate, just to see what headlines have created interest. One thing I’ve learned is that people who are working for non-profits open their mail more often than do people in real estate or those who are interested in general marketing ideas.

Meanwhile, I haven’t kept track of the open rate relative to date and time sent – and I’m going to start doing that this week.

If you HAVE been doing this, I’d love to hear from you and I’m quite sure everyone else would too.

If you don’t know about my ezines, here’s the invitations I post on Twitter:

Learn the 3 Most common copywriting errors that can kill your fundraising appeal, & get my fundraising ezine: http://tinyurl.com/dy2tla

Calling motivated Realtors!Free 7-day mini-marketing course will help you build your business faster. http://twurl.nl/5g0a3i

Thinking of building a home? Don’t get burned, instead get our free report: How to spot a bogus contractor… http://tinyurl.com/d9rrvy

Do feel free to join one or all… I promise – no heavy marketing attempts, and you can unsubscribe at any time, with no hassle.

Here’s to a good final week of February!

Marte

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