I know you won't read this email.

02-14-2025: Marketing stories, tips and insights

I love to read. There’s nothing better than discovering a great book. When I find a book I really like, you’ll find me curled up in bed or on the couch. Tuning out the rest of the world. It doesn’t exist.

But when I’m reading emails?

The world isn’t shut out.

I’m multi-tasking and unfocused. I’m scanning, not reading.

Even when I love the sender, I’m looking for the content that matters to me.

Before you press send on an email, ask yourself does it pass the scan test? If it doesn’t, then it’s invisible.

Tip of the week

As a marketer, I’m always curious about how things change. One of the things that I’ve been curious about recently has been what makes a great email for subscribers. Around 2015/16, the use of adding GIFs into emails was something that started to take off. Over the years it has been a great way to add personality, increase engagement and connect with your subscribers.

But I’ve been curious. Do they still work? Recently I’ve noticed that whenever I get emails with them in it, I equate them to being in a sales email funnel. I glaze over them and find myself often deleting those emails or unsubscribing.

So, I asked my audience. 15% said they loved them. 25% said they are over them. 60% said use sparingly and not in every email. Now, I know.

The tip here isn’t to stop using GIFs in your emails (I know some of you love them and they work for you), but it is a reminder to get curious about the marketing you are doing. Is it still working in the way that it was a few years ago? Or does something need changed.

What’s on my radar?

The world that we are living in and how this affects marketing. Economies are not great and people are worried about where we are headed. With this in mind, how do we approach our marketing so we don’t end up making this mistake?

I believe that small business or community oriented businesses have an advantage here. They have heart and are connected with their communities on a genuine level vs. bigger brands. Maybe the bigger brands need to take a lesson or two from small business in terms of marketing these days?

Friends share good things with one another

Since it’s Valentine’s Day. Here’s a little love note my daughter slid me yesterday during the snow day. Anyone remember doing this in school? So, some things change and some things don’t.

My ask for help this week

If you are feeling stuck with something to do with your marketing, I’d love to help get you unstuck.