Sales and Marketing is not unlike online dating. In any marketing or sales interaction, the goal is not just to make a sale, but also to build an ongoing relationship, one that will last year after year, budget after budget; you want to weather the storm together. Forever. True and lasting love. This means starting with some really basic communication skills that can push you towards that lasting relationship and not just a first date with no call back. Turns out, a lot of marketers are thinking the same way: HubSpot just came out with a slide share presentation that has thought leaders talking about the kind of relationships that we, as marketers, and as sales should emulate in order to reach our love connection.
Let me take you back to the blizzard weekend. I was
searching for some light and quick reading and stumbled upon Brian Donavan’s
latest book, It’s
not a Match: My True Tales of Online Dating Disasters. Mr. Donavan has been on over 100 match.com, so
at this point one would imagine that he has the entire system down. From how he
wants his profile to look, to how he crafts his first emails, to what outcomes
he foresees from each date.
Although this quick read was rather amusing, one part struck
me: how he decides to craft his opener emails.
He has this down to a science.
Remember, he is marketing himself and he only has one email to do it in. And as sales and marketers, the same applies for us.
I thought I’d share some of his advice for crafting emails
as I think there are a few things us B2B marketers could learn:
“Part 1: A Little About Them” – Donavan recommends writing TWO
sentences about something that interested you about their profile.
In terms of marketing:
Hint guys – This is the personalization part.
You don’t want to act like a stalker, but show you have spent a little
time. Another hint – there are technology tools to help you discover this and
even automate it.
“Part 2: A Little About You” – Donavan admits that this can
be the form part of the email.
In terms of marketing:
Fine, this can be your repeatable content or value prop.
“Part 3: Say Goodbye” – That’s it. Say goodbye and sign your
name”
In terms of marketing: Good sales people know not to talk through the close, so as marketers the same
applies: don’t draw out the close of your email, reemphasizing “your value”
where as most won’t even get that far before they delete. You can, however, dangle the carrot with your
CTA, which may lead to a demo; I mean, next date.
I’d like to tell the 30 various companies that emailed me
today, that it wouldn’t hurt if they mentioned one little thing about me,
before they launched into whatever product that I am never going to buy from
them. EVER.
To learn more, visit: www.ilantern.com
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