Exciting News: 40 Open My Newsletter, But What Went Wrong?

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses experiences related to sending newsletters as Pampered Chef consultants, particularly focusing on issues with linking to product pages and the resulting confusion when orders are placed incorrectly. Participants share personal anecdotes about their newsletter outcomes and the challenges faced with the company's policies on linking.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, shared that they had 40 opens and six clicks on their newsletter but encountered an issue when a customer's order went through another consultant's website.
  • Another participant noted that direct links to shopping or items in emails are not allowed, suggesting that linking to the PWS home page is necessary.
  • Several users mentioned their plans to adjust future newsletters by directing customers to the PWS home page instead of specific product pages.
  • One participant expressed frustration over the linking policy, questioning why they cannot direct customers to specific pages on their website.
  • Another participant recounted a similar experience where a customer's order ended up on a different consultant's website, leading to complications.
  • Some participants discussed the difficulty in finding the outlet on the website and the desire for easier navigation.
  • One participant mentioned that the current policies might be overly strict, while another acknowledged that the policies are intended to protect consultants and ensure fairness.
  • Several users highlighted the technical aspects of tracking email opens, noting that using third-party mailing providers allows for better tracking than the PWS email system.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the appropriateness and effectiveness of the linking policies, with some participants expressing frustration and others acknowledging the rationale behind the policies. No clear consensus emerges regarding the best approach to linking in newsletters.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and frustrations related to the technical limitations of the PWS and the implications for their business practices. The discussion reflects a mix of technical challenges and policy-related concerns.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in understanding the implications of newsletter linking policies and those seeking to share experiences related to customer orders and website navigation may find this discussion relevant.

linojackie
linojackie
Messages
492
I sent my newsletter out this morning, and I've had 40 people open it so far, and six clicked on the links. I even had one lady call me to tell me she was ordering something from the outlet as we spoke!

The problem???

When she completed her transaction, she called me back to tell me the order went thru another consultant's website! I copied the links directly from my site to the outlet, the HWC items and the interactive catalog. What went wrong???
 
Can't put links directly to shopping or items in emails. You can only link to your PWS home page.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
So I guess next month, I'll still put "click here to see more outlet items" and just have it go directly to to the PWS and have them navigate from there.


That's really dumb, why do they do that?
 
I don't know. But it used to be covered in the web policies, and there was an email about it a couple months ago.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #5
I saw that, but I thought it said just pictures...oh well, hope it made a couple of consultants day to find a couple orders in their inbox! :)
 
sometimes, this techno crap gets really confusing!:grumpy:
 
Something similar happened to one of my consultants...a customer went onto her website to place an order...it somehow ended up on MY website and I got the sale. We had to cancel and re-place her order. It did it AGAIN! Customer refused to cancel a third time, so I gave my consultant several individual orders to add up to that amount.

Talk about a PITA!
 
And, it isn't easy to find the outlet, either. It would be nice to be able to have a link.
 
I had that happen, where my dad went to place an order and it ended up on my Director's webpage. We eneded up canceling the order and he reordered on my website.
 
Luckily, this month, there's a HWC link right on the PWS home page, so there is a shortcut to individual order shopping. Although that could be a bad thing if someone goes in, meaning to order on a show, and doesn't get the popup for host name.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
The lady was actually a friend, neighbor and fellow DS consultant. I know she'll order from me again, so I wouldn't ask her to do that. I also know the director who got the sale from her order. I sent out an announcement about the error, so hopefully any future sales will go to my site!


And I was just getting ready to post a thread here asking how long before I could expect to see and email from all my orders! Talk about ironic!
 
HO goes a little overboard with the PWS policies, IMO! :)
 
Hathery said:
HO goes a little overboard with the PWS policies, IMO! :)
Click to expand...

We've debated that topic on here NUMEROUS times. It is all part of protecting us and their intellectual property. They are trying to make it fair for all levels.

The only reason other DS companies aren't as strict I believe is because they are smaller and sometimes don't know any better. Given the ups and downs of the policies I believe overall there is more positive for us than negative.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
janetupnorth said:
We've debated that topic on here NUMEROUS times. It is all part of protecting us and their intellectual property. They are trying to make it fair for all levels.

The only reason other DS companies aren't as strict I believe is because they are smaller and sometimes don't know any better. Given the ups and downs of the policies I believe overall there is more positive for us than negative.
Click to expand...

That I can understand, but I don't see why, if I try to direct my customers to the correct page on my website through a link on an email, I shouldn't be able to do that. What is the difference which page I send it to whether it's the home page or the outlet page? I still had to do the work to get them there.
 
I have to agree with you on that point, Jackie.
 
linojackie said:
That I can understand, but I don't see why, if I try to direct my customers to the correct page on my website through a link on an email, I shouldn't be able to do that. What is the difference which page I send it to whether it's the home page or the outlet page? I still had to do the work to get them there.
Click to expand...


That is a technical/programming issue, not a policy issue. I'd write or call HO with your concerns.

I was referring to the comment about the policies being overboard. If you read all the policies, I believe they are very reasonable.
 
It is a policy issue, although it's not outlined in the current policies. When PWS first came out, the information stated that we COULD NOT link to any page on our PWS except the main page. Even the individual news items were not supposed to be linked to. At that time, HO stated that any attempt to link to a non-home PWS page would direct customers to the lead pool. Unfortunately, I can't find that documentation on my system here.
 
How can you tell how many times it was opened, etc?????
 
You can't with PWS email (from customer connection). You can if you use a mailing provider like Constant Contact or iContact.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #20
FHL said:
How can you tell how many times it was opened, etc?????
Click to expand...

I use constant contact. I love it. If you want a referral, PM me. You get a $30 credit right off the bat!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that 40 people opened my newsletter?

When 40 people opened your newsletter, it indicates that your subject line and initial content were engaging enough to capture their attention. This is a positive sign of interest in your offerings or updates.

Why did I not get any responses or sales after the newsletter was opened?

There could be several reasons for this. The content may not have resonated with the readers, the call-to-action might not have been clear, or the timing could have been off. It's also possible that readers were interested but didn't have the opportunity to respond immediately.

How can I improve engagement in future newsletters?

To improve engagement, consider personalizing your content, using compelling visuals, and including clear calls-to-action. Additionally, segmenting your audience and tailoring messages to specific groups can help increase relevance and interest.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in newsletters?

Common mistakes include having a vague subject line, overly long content, lack of clear calls-to-action, and not optimizing for mobile devices. It's also important to avoid sending too frequently, which can lead to subscriber fatigue.

Should I follow up with those who opened the newsletter?

Yes, following up can be beneficial. You can send a friendly reminder or additional information related to the newsletter content. This shows that you value their interest and can help convert that interest into sales.

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