#1. Anne's SherpaBlog: Affiliate marketing special coming tomorrow.

Thanks to the more than 2,000 of you who replied to my call for input for our big annual affiliate marketing special issue. We're busy gathering final data and getting the issue together for you right now. It'll be in your in-box late tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec 14).

Thanks for your support.

Anne

Anne Holland - Publisher
MarketingSherpa

P.S. As always, our Case Studies and articles are open access for about 10 days. Then they go into SherpaLibrary where you can research for a small fee. The links always remain the same.
http://www.SherpaStore.com

CASE STUDIES

#2. How to Schmooze *Only* the Most Qualified Prospects at a Big Trade Show

Arrrgh! Two weeks before the big show, exhibitor Todd Cieplinski was told he wouldn't be able to do his planned pre- show promo mailing after all.

How could he make sure the top prospects visited his booth? Most hadn't heard of his company before.

Plus, Cieplinski suspected only 10-15% of attendees were truly perfect prospects. How could he slice them out from thousands of others at the show to generate the best qualified leads possible?

If you exhibit at trade shows, this is the Case Study for you:
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2874
(Open access until Dec 18th)

PRACTICAL KNOW-HOW

#3. New Stats Reveal What's Working in Email: Recorded MarketingSherpa Teleseminar + PowerPoint

Couldn't make MarketingSherpa's Dec 3rd teleseminar on what the latest email stats mean for your marketing? Here's a handy recorded version for you including a PDF of the PowerPoint slides. Features 11 useful charts on budgeting, open rates, filters, click trends, conversion rates, and gathering opt-ins.
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2873
(Open access = permanent)

#4. How to Market to Online Buyers During Major Life Events - Such as Weddings

Maternity, graduation, moving, retirement, weddings... life events can be incredibly powerful marketing opportunities.

Consumers in the midst of a life transition are seeking advice, community, reassurance, and they're probably making some extra purchases as well. But, you've only got a slender window of opportunity per consumer. Perhaps only months, or even weeks.

We interviewed David Liu, CEO The Knot, for the lessons he's learned about how to reach brides during the average 13-month wedding process. He had some great stealable ideas for other marketers:
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2872
(Open access until Dec 17th)

#5. Welcome Messages Get Highest Open Rates of All Email Campaigns -- How to Improve Yours

New data just in -- out of thousands of email sales alerts, newsletters, and other promos sent in 2004, marketers' Welcome messages got the highest open rates.

That's right, more customers and prospects open and read your lists' welcome message than any subsequent message you painstakingly crafted to impress them. And let's face it, your welcome is probably pretty boring, and almost certainly doesn't include an offer.

Want to improve? Here are real-life welcome samples and tactics to inspire you from Sherwin-Williams, Cartesis (business software), and Aspen Mountain Lodge:
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2875
(Open access until Dec 19th)

#6. 7 Tactics Mitsubishi Motors Uses to Gain Consumer Trust & Grow Its Ranks of Brand Evangelists

Tip #3: don't send your top brand evangelists (the folks who really adore you) a generic email newsletter that every other name on your list is getting. Instead, consider giving them your personal cell phone number...

That's what Ian Beavis, Mitsubishi's North America SVP Marketing & Promotions, does. Here's more of his advice to rise above the now almost-universal consumer distrust of typical brand advertising:
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2871
(Open access until Dec 16th)

#7. PR Interview: How to Guest Star on KenRadio's World Technology Round-Up Show

Every day 200,000 listeners tune in to Ken Rutkowski's radio show on high-tech news and gadgets. In our exclusive interview Ken explains exactly what he's looking for from a PR pitch (and what he's not):
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2870
(Open access until Dec 13th)

#8. Briefs: New Awards/Contests & PR Grants for Non-Profits

Every week we list the newest upcoming advertising, marketing and PR awards you can nominate yourself for, plus any open speaking gigs we hear about. Quick and fun:
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2632
(Open access = permanent)

#9. PR Interview: Brag About Your B-to-B Campaigns in 'Business Media Matters'

69,000 b-to-b advertising, media, and marketing pros get American Business Media's monthly newsletter featuring profiles of the hottest campaigns both offline and online. It's great exposure for agencies -- find out how you can get your campaign spotlighted:
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2876
(Open access until Dec 20th)

#10. Help Wanteds: 33 New Openings & 5 New Seekers

The past week's new posts include positions from Victoria's Secret Direct, Sony Pictures Digital, Electronic Arts, Barnes & Noble.com, Disney Store, and Blaine Pharmaceuticals. Plus, learn how to post your own opening (complimentary service).
http://www.marketingsherpa.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2522
(Open access = permanent)