In today's world, we cruise through video web conferencing, webinars, and email embedded movies with the confidence of a navy captain. But that confidence is sometimes quickly shattered when we just can't get what we want on screen.
It doesn't matter if you're on a laptop, desktop, mac, or pc, we've all been so frustrated with the technology that we ironically love so much that we yell at the screen asking, "Why won't you just DO IT?"
As in any heated situation, the key to getting back to your happy place of sailing along with your presentation, project, or planning your next trip is to keep a cool level head and know it will be OK.
First - eliminate the "unknown but temporory possibilites." This could be a momentary blip in the network, a glitch in the program, or your own "fat finger." How do you know if this is the simple cause of your frustrations?
Try it again. But don't just keep hitting "send" "submit" or "download." Log out. Close your browser and all browser windows that may be open. You may even need to reboot. Then walk away and get a cup of coffee. Fresh java in hand, now try it again. More times than not, you're back in business and not on the road to the helpdesk.
The key is to keep a clear head and know that many perceived program failures are actually just momentary glitches.
And for the record - ironically - as I was writing this blog, my screen went gray and I had to re-boot, losing everything. There is no explanation - I just moved on and tried not to mourn the eloquence lost from the first version. :-)
Will YOUR Event be a Shot in the Arm?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 by
joanna hamilton
Our customer acquisition team landed in Indianpolis for the Exact Target Connections 08 Agency and User conference. Our management attended last year's event and found the sessions so valuable that additional investment was made to send three of us to the conference this year.
Little did we know what we were in for. I have to say we were all a bit weary and war-torn getting there, as the end of 3rd Quarter has resulted in quite the rush to crank out events for 4th quarter.
What a shot in the arm we received from this conference! They got it right on so many levels.
Exact Target used their own technology for effective lead generation for months prior to the event. They launced their own personalized marketing campaign to first get us there, and then, once registered, to get us to the break-out sessions they had carefully planned.
And it didn't stop there. Once we were there, we continued to get cues from all angles as to what not to miss and how we would be "rewarded" by making it to certain meetings. (Amazing what grown adults will do for a free beach towel or oversized foam finger).
Yes, we went to the conference tired, and weary. However, we left energized and ready to take on not just the day's challenges, but new horizons, as well.
Good job Exact Target!
Any suggestions? Yes!
I think ALL event/conference organizers could use some Vontoo in their back pocket. While everyone is rushing around with their cell phones in their pockets--send them a voice reminder that "The keynote speaker will begin in 10 minutes."
AND---Include in your follow-up an email-embedded brainshark presentation or email flash movie to remind your folks of the best points in that keynote, or the funniest jokes at the last-night-reward dinner.
Little did we know what we were in for. I have to say we were all a bit weary and war-torn getting there, as the end of 3rd Quarter has resulted in quite the rush to crank out events for 4th quarter.
What a shot in the arm we received from this conference! They got it right on so many levels.
Exact Target used their own technology for effective lead generation for months prior to the event. They launced their own personalized marketing campaign to first get us there, and then, once registered, to get us to the break-out sessions they had carefully planned.
And it didn't stop there. Once we were there, we continued to get cues from all angles as to what not to miss and how we would be "rewarded" by making it to certain meetings. (Amazing what grown adults will do for a free beach towel or oversized foam finger).
Yes, we went to the conference tired, and weary. However, we left energized and ready to take on not just the day's challenges, but new horizons, as well.
Good job Exact Target!
Any suggestions? Yes!
I think ALL event/conference organizers could use some Vontoo in their back pocket. While everyone is rushing around with their cell phones in their pockets--send them a voice reminder that "The keynote speaker will begin in 10 minutes."
AND---Include in your follow-up an email-embedded brainshark presentation or email flash movie to remind your folks of the best points in that keynote, or the funniest jokes at the last-night-reward dinner.
Get Them There with a little extra info.!
Monday, September 15, 2008 by
joanna hamilton
Have you ever hosted an event and during your last hours prior, spent hours on the phone and email clarifying the details for the participants, when what you really need to be doing was preparing for the event, itself?
You drive customer acquisition through events, but the marketing tools you use to get them to your event or location can dramatically improve attendance and lead generation.
When you put time into a beautiful html invitation, include links that will provide an on demand presentation that explains how register, how to get there, and what's expected of them once they are there.
Don't assume that what you think is obvious will be obvious to everyone. Of course it's obvious to you--it's your event!
An email-embedded movie or short brainshark presentation can provide the "over your shoulder" instructions that can make all the difference between clarity and confusion for your customers.
Here is how I determine if my instructions have been clear: I imagine my 86-year-old grandmother reading them. If she could rsvp and/or register per my instructions, then I know it's good. Don't assume your typically technically-minded audience will make the same assumptions you do.
Another tip for getting your customers there--provide an incentive. Offer a clue word or key in the registration acknowledgement, and for all who present that clue or key at your event--reward them with something meaningful to them--a coupon to apply towards your services or products, or a handy item that complements either your services, product, or event at hand.
Our customers who have the most success in the customer acquisition process typically are more savvy with the both the information they provide to their prospects, and they way that they provide it.
For more information on how you can implement an effective lead generation process, produce a personalized marketing campaign, or turn around a beautifully executed interactive web presentation, check out http://www.webinarresources.com, or contact me directly at joanna@webinarresources.com.
You drive customer acquisition through events, but the marketing tools you use to get them to your event or location can dramatically improve attendance and lead generation.
When you put time into a beautiful html invitation, include links that will provide an on demand presentation that explains how register, how to get there, and what's expected of them once they are there.
Don't assume that what you think is obvious will be obvious to everyone. Of course it's obvious to you--it's your event!
An email-embedded movie or short brainshark presentation can provide the "over your shoulder" instructions that can make all the difference between clarity and confusion for your customers.
Here is how I determine if my instructions have been clear: I imagine my 86-year-old grandmother reading them. If she could rsvp and/or register per my instructions, then I know it's good. Don't assume your typically technically-minded audience will make the same assumptions you do.
Another tip for getting your customers there--provide an incentive. Offer a clue word or key in the registration acknowledgement, and for all who present that clue or key at your event--reward them with something meaningful to them--a coupon to apply towards your services or products, or a handy item that complements either your services, product, or event at hand.
Our customers who have the most success in the customer acquisition process typically are more savvy with the both the information they provide to their prospects, and they way that they provide it.
For more information on how you can implement an effective lead generation process, produce a personalized marketing campaign, or turn around a beautifully executed interactive web presentation, check out http://www.webinarresources.com, or contact me directly at joanna@webinarresources.com.
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