I received a very weird email today from someone who’s marketing list I belong to. I shall not name names because I have replied to them and have not gotten a response yet. I also think it’s nicer this way because all I am trying to do is share an opinion on the matter for future reference to everyone that does email marketing. If they read *MY* blog, they will know who they are.

This is their email to me:

Subject: you are being removed from my list (Mr. Bobby Doe)
On Thu, Feb 4, 2010 at 11:25 AM, Mr. Bobby Doe wrote:

You haven’t opened one of my emails or clicked a link in the last 6 months.

Which means this email address is dead, or you just don’t want to be on my list any more.

So I’m getting ready to remove your from my mailing list unless I see “signs of life” from your email address.

Please click this link just to let me know you are still out there:

http://www.bobbyswebsitesomewhere.com/

I you click the I will assume your email address is still good and will NOT remove you from my list.

Thanks,

Mr. Bobby Doe

P.S.

This link simply takes you to my blog, nothing else.

Please visit my blog so I know not to remove you from my list.

http://www.bobbyswebsitesomewhere.com/

WOW! I was really taken aback. So I immediately penned this response and sent it:

I don’t think that’s a fair assumption. In fact I’m kinda taken aback by this accusation.

I actually DO open your email and read them. Just because I do not click a link though doesn’t mean that I don’t:

• a) get any value from emails
• b) actually go to the links in the emails

I don’t always click on links in emails, that’s how a lot of people get trapped by crappy viruses and spyware, etc. Virus protection software is also only as good as the habits of the user.

I’m not saying you would ever do that (spam me with a virus link) – BUT- it is a habit for me to sometimes simply copy and paste a top level URL to go see a site. And not just blindly click away on every link I ever see. Now the way I see it today: is I don’t believe I should have to click on that link and visit your blog, to prove to you that I’m human.

You either want me on your mailing list or you don’t.

What if I was on a 6 month vacation?
What if I was ill, and just haven’t been online in awhile, but was looking forward to all your emails piled up in my inbox?

The scenarios are endless.

Is this really proper email marketing? I think that unless an email “bounces” as a failure, then I’m keeping you on my list until you physically complain or unsubscribe yourself.

Or was this whole email just a “bully tactic” and marketing ploy to get me to visit your blog today?

Sincerely perturbed,
Erika L Walker Rich
aka “WebErika”

Now, I never did visit this guy’s site today. I was too busy feeling insulted. But that is irrelevant. If this is a new way to talk to your email marketing list, I don’t think I’ll ever use this tactic. You can stay on my email list forever and ever and ever, even if you never visit my site. At least you are letting my email sit there in your inbox and stare at you.

What do you all think? You like his approach? Would you use it to speak to your hard won list subscribers?
——

UPDATE: Mr. Bobby Doe just replied to me. I give him major kudos for the super fast reply, but I wasn’t really satisfied with his answer from a “marketing mentor” point of view. He apologized, said I must of gotten it “by mistake” and then said:

Here’s a tip: if you remove people that don’t read your emails you can save money on your email service and increase your open rates and your click-through rates.

OK. I can appreciate the need to save money – BUT – see my scenarios above. What if they were on a sabbatical? What if they were ill? What if they are like me, don’t have “images enabled by default” (because that is how you track opens) or can only receive “text” emails. But you read everything he has to say and like me, only copy and paste links?

I still don’t believe that kind of “culling” tactic is smart. I believe there’s definitely better ways to manage your non-opens. I know I have learned one thing from him today: What not to do to my own list subscribers.

What do you all think?

A WordPress blog without a great assortment of installed plugins is like putting up the frame and drywall for a house, and never finishing the electrical or the plumbing. Plugins can make or break the popularity of your blog and they can also make it easier to manage. Of course there’s plugins to help make you some money and plugins to help display all your awesome social content and photos.

The following is my current favorite list, and there’s still tons of other great plugins I don’t have listed here, but if I had to install a new blog, these are the first to go in.

Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know what your favorites are!

Please note: The versions listed are as of the date of this post. There’s a few that could be redundant, but if you run several blogs, then you can pick and choose different ones to play with.

Add To Facebook
Adds a footer link to add the current post or page to a Facebook Mini-Feed.
Version 1.4.3 | By David Goldstein

Advanced Excerpt
Several improvements over WP’s default excerpt. The size of the excerpt can be limited using character or word count, and HTML markup is not removed.
Version 0.2.2 | By Bas van Doren

Akismet
Akismet checks your comments against the Akismet web service to see if they look like spam or not. You need a WordPress.com API key to use it. You can review the spam it catches under “Comments.” To show off your Akismet stats just put in your template. See also: WP Stats plugin.
Version 2.2.7 | By Matt Mullenweg

All in One SEO Pack
Out-of-the-box SEO for your Wordpress blog. Options configuration panel | Upgrade to Pro Version | Donate | Support | Amazon Wishlist
Version 1.6.10 | By Michael Torbert

CommentLuv
Plugin to show a link to the last post from the commenters blog by parsing the feed at their given URL when they leave a comment. Rewards your readers and encourage more comments.
Version 2.7.64 | By Andy Bailey

Dagon Design Sitemap Generator
Generates a fully customizable sitemap
Version 3.15 | By Dagon Design

Exec-PHP
Executes code in your posts, pages and text widgets.
Version 4.9 | By Sören Weber

Facebook Comments TNG
A new and re written Facebook notes comments grabber.
Version 0.18 | By Phil Spencer

Facebook Posted Items
Goes all the way to Facebook and fetches the posted items to show them to you.
Version 0.3 | By Fepe

FeedBurner FeedSmith
Originally authored by Steve Smith, this plugin detects all ways to access your original WordPress feeds and redirects them to your FeedBurner feed so you can track every possible subscriber.
Version 2.3.1 | By FeedBurner

FeedBurner Widget
Adds a sidebar widget to easy customize and display your FeedBurner subscribers stats RSS button.
Version 1.2 | By Alexander Dichev

Feed Statistics
Compiles statistics about who is reading your blog via an RSS feed and what they’re reading.
Version 1.3.2 | By Christopher Finke

Feed Subscriber Stats
This plugin will show the number of subscribers according to FeedBurner.
Version 3.0.6 | By Allan Collins

Flickr Widget
A widget which will display your latest Flickr photos.
Version 0.1 | By Donncha O Caoimh

Gaboinked! Facebook Badge Plugin for WordPress
The Gaboinked! Facebook Badge Plugin for WordPress is a Sidebar Widget that displays a facebook Badge in the Sidebar of your self-hosted WordPress Blog.
Version 1.0.142 | By the Gaboink! network: George Jones

Google Analytics for WordPress
This plugin makes it simple to add Google Analytics with extra search engines and automatic clickout and download tracking to your WordPress blog.
Version 3.2.5 | By Joost de Valk

Google XML Sitemaps
This plugin will generate a special XML sitemap which will help search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ask.com to better index your blog.
Version 3.2.2 | By Arne Brachhold

Maintenance Mode
Adds a splash page to your blog that lets visitors know your blog is down for maintenance. Logged in administrators get full access to the blog including the front-end. Navigate to Settings ? Maintenance Mode to get started.
Version 4.4 | By Michael Wöhrer

The Wordpress Bar
Seen the DiggBar on Digg.com? Add a similar feature to your Wordpress blog by creating a navigation bar for all external links outside of blog. Also feature social network links such as Facebook, Twitter, Digg, and FriendFeed.
Version 0.6.2 | By Anthony Montalbano

Twitter for Wordpress
Displays your public Twitter messages for all to read. Based on Pownce for Wordpress by Cavemonkey50.
Version 1.9.7 | By Ricardo González

Twitter Friends
Displays a list of our twitter followers. Help and tutorials, go to Realhomeincomes.com
Version 1.2 | By Matt

Twitter Widget Pro
A widget that properly handles twitter feeds, including @username, #hashtag, and link parsing. It can even display profile images for the users. Requires PHP5.
Version 2.1.4 | By Aaron D. Campbell

UBD Block Ad Plugin
Let the blog owner add 125×125 block ads to their sidebar. Set your Block Ads here.. Questions on configuration, etc.? Make sure to read the README.
Version 1.1 | By Unique Blog Designs

What Would Seth Godin Do
Displays a custom welcome message to new visitors and another to return visitors.
Version 1.7 | By Richard K Miller

WordPress.com Stats
Tracks views, post/page views, referrers, and clicks. Requires a WordPress.com API key.
Version 1.6.1 | By Andy Skelton

WordPress Admin Bar
Creates an admin bar inspired by the one at WordPress.com. Credits for the look of this plugin go to them.
Version 3.1.7 | By Viper007Bond

WordPress Online Automated Backup
Plugin that allows you to backup and restore your wordpress blog very easily. Read how it works before installing. Requires an account on WordPressBackup.com (free acounts available).
Version 0.8.2 | By LiquidStudios

WP Chameleon
Used for generating random copies of pages or articles for opt-in page optimization or article rewriting.
Version 1.13 | By Gustav Stieger

WordPress Related Posts
Generate a related posts list via tags of WordPress
Version 1.1.1 | By Denis

WP Security Scan
Perform security scan of WordPress installation.
Version 2.7.1.2 | By Michael Torbert

WPtouch iPhone Theme
A plugin which formats your site with a mobile theme for the Apple iPhone / iPod touch, Google Android and other touch-based smartphones.
Version 1.9.7.6 | By Dale Mugford & Duane Storey (BraveNewCode)

Youtube Brackets
Insert YouTube videos in post using bracket method. Enables YouTube blogging to standalone wordpress setups.
Version 1.1 beta | By Robert Buzink

Chris Peterson

I was idling in #coldfusion on Dalnet this morning and amongst the distorted, haphazard conversations that usually occur in there, an awesome little tidbit of code popped up. Courtesy of Chris Peterson of Alagad fame.

Someone was asking about the formatting of the code that <CFDUMP> spits out and Chris suggested a few scenarios, one of which he said he uses all the time:

<cfdump format=”html” output=”c:\#createUUID()#_dump.html” var=”#whatever#” />

That tasty morsel spits the output to a handy dandy .html file. All these years, I’m ashamed to say I never knew you could do that. Very awesome. Thanks Chris. (yeah yeah yeah, I know, RTFD)

“I only allow that which is good into my life. No one can depress you. No one can make you anxious. No one can hurt your feelings. No one can make you anything other than what you allow.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

One day, as the earth rotated, and the birds sang, Lola passed around a link to a Crockpot Yogurt recipe. I was intrigued enough to say “Hey! I need to make that!” I hate how exorbitantly expensive just plain old yogurt is and with our yogurt loving friend JoAnn staying with us for some hands on internet marketing experience, I thought this would be a great economical method of always having yogurt around.

My first batch turned out great. I shared my success with Vicky and all was eaten. It was just as thick as a normal tub of Fat Free store bought yogurt but I wanted my second batch to be a little thicker without having to do anything special like straining through cheesecloth or adding gelatin.

Below is the process I followed exactly for this second batch. Mixed a little more powdered milk in this one. Tasted superb and thickened beautifully. Just perfect!

Ingredients
1 large crockpot with at least a low setting
3 quarts of milk, 2%
3/4 cup of fat free yogurt as a starter
1 1/4 cups of powdered dry milk (helps it thicken)
2 tablespoons of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of honey
2 large THICK cotton blankets or bath sheets.

1. Turn crock pot on LOW. Pour all 3 quarts of milk into crock pot. Cover with lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 2.5 hours.

2. After 2.5 hours, UNPLUG the crockpot. Let it sit, with the lid on, for 3.5 hours.

3. At the end of 3.5 hours, scoop approximately 2.5 cups of the hot milk out of the crockpot, and pour into a small plastic bowl.

4. With a whisk, gently stir in 3/4 of a cup of fat free yogurt, 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract, 1 1/4 cups of dry milk powder and a teaspoon of honey.

5. After mixing that for approximately 30 seconds, add it back into the crockpot and blend the mixture together for another 30 seconds.

6. Put the lid back on.  Spread first blanket or towel on counter or table where yogurt can sit UNDISTURBED for 9 hours. CAREFULLY lift and place ENTIRE crockpot in middle of the spread out blanket or towel. Hot milk splashes so please be careful. Wrap it up like a tender little package. Then do again with the second thick cotton blanket or towel. Check the time and let it sit for 9 hours.

DO NOT TOUCH IT. DO NOT CHECK IT. FORGET IT. DONT WORRY ABOUT IT. LEAVE IT ALONE. 9 HOURS.

7. When 9 hours has passed, carefully unwrap the package, and lift the lid. If you take a spoonful, it should behave like you see in the video here. Take the crockpot portion (not the base) and put it in the refridgerator if you have the room, and let it continue chilling.

A clear “liquid” should rise to the top like you usually get in yogurt containers. Some people like to mix this into the yogurt and eat it. I like to drain mine off for thicker yogurt. You can soak it up with a clean paper towel if you would like.

Liquid rising to top of yogurt

Soaking liquid up from yogurt

Otherwise, after it chills, you are all done! Divvy up into separate containers for storing and eating.

You just made yogurt in a crockpot.

There are dozens of methods, and dozens of recipes and dozens of different ways people have to make yogurt, and they will all offer their advice. I’m just giving you the method that worked for me, flawlessly, with less than 15 minutes of “touch time” and fuss. Make it this way at least once, get the hang of it – then try all the other cool stuff.

HINT: If you start this at 4pm (providing you go to bed around 11pm and are home at 4pm) you won’t be tempted to peek at it while it’s resting for the 9 hours.

Hit me up if you need something explained better…. Happy Yogurt Making!

Excellent slide presentation with great statistical numbers you can use to show customers/clients/bosses/aunts/exes/whomever that social media is here and it’s here to stay. Get involved and grow your business/online worth/popularity. Ignore it at peril.

(WARNING: This is the R-rated version. If you are afraid of having to get your eyeballs washed out with soap, try this G-rated link: F-word Free Version)

What the F**K is Social Media: One Year Later

View more documents from Marta Kagan.

I made the hurricane list! Check it out! Credit goes to the National Hurricane site of course.

I sure hope it doesn’t cause any damage … that would be bad

A developer we all know (Todd Sharp) has developed a nice RIA app, SlideSix, and needs your votes to go to, and get the app spoken about at MAX, the annual Adobe Developer’s conference being held this October. So if you read this or follow it, please click this link: http://oreillynet.com/insideria/polls/237.csp and vote for SlideSix!

This is a pretty big deal for those not in the developing arena, so if he can have your support that would be great! Pass it around to whomever you can get to take 30 seconds out and vote. No registration needed. No firstborns promised. They don’t even want to know who you are … just a simple radio button choice and a button click.

Thank you!

A girlfriend just asked for the recipe I used earlier in the week to make that Pesto dish I posted pictures of, and since I took the time to type it all out, I figured I might as well post it for anyone else that is interested. There’s tons of Pesto recipes to be found on the ‘net, as well as quite a few Shrimp Pesto recipes … but this one I adapted to my own tastes.

Here’s the actual Pesto recipe I used. It’s one of those recipes/methods that sound so fantastic you just have to try it: 101Cookbooks.com Pesto

It takes a while and don’t be tempted to throw it in a food processor. The texture of it hand chopped is superb and well worth the work.

Then I just did a quick Shrimp saute of my own design:
1. 2 cloves of chopped garlic softened in about 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil over a medium high heat in a wok-style pan or saute pan.

2. Add about a 1/2 cup to 1 cup of wine to the garlic and olive oil (depending on how many Shrimp – I cooked a pound which was 26 Shrimp). Optional: 1 tablespoon of butter.

3. After that comes to an almost immediate simmer, add the peeled and de-veined Shrimp and arrange so they are all one layer.

4. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. I cook them on one side until the pink starts showing thru to the raw top. About 3 minutes on medium high.

5. Turn them all over, cook another 2 minutes. You really don’t want to overcook the Shrimp.

6. The Pesto recipe makes a lot. So now it’s up to your tastes. If you like a LOT of Pesto taste, add it all. But I think that is over the top. I added about half of what you saw me make in the pictures. I spooned it into the pan immediately after the 2 minutes was up and then flipped/stirred the Shrimp to coat them all in the Pesto then took it off the heat.

7. Of course during all this you had your preferred pasta cooking

So now you’ve got 2 ways to serve it.

a. Spoon the shrimp over your pasta on a plate/bowl
b. Add the pasta to the mixture in the pan and toss and coat it, then dish it.

The picture of the final dish you see in my pictures, I had spooned it over the pasta. Sometimes I toss it in the pan though.

Finish it all off for presentation with a basil leaf and fresh grated parmesan!

I hope you like it. The smell is HEAVENLY throughout the whole process. I’m so glad I grew some basil this year. By the time you are done with preparing and cooking it, you’re ravenous.

This is a very handle little article to have at your fingertips if you have to convince someone how important it is to have a web presence these days. Albeit a couplle of years old, the data is nonetheless relevant.

A new study projects that internet advertising and access spending in the United States will total $78.4 billion in 2011, up from $47.2 billion in 2006, an average annual growth rate of 10.7 percent.

Click to read the Internet Spending article here.

Followed  by a bit more recent article published in February of 2008:

eMarketer predicts that online retailers in the US will ring up over $100 billion more in sales in 2012 than they did in 2007. Sales growth will come mainly from consumers who are shifting their spending from traditional retail stores to the Internet.

US Retail E-Commerce Set for Growth

The bottom line is that more and more consumers are moving online each and every day. That means that now more than ever, is the time to make sure your business has a presence online, whether you cater to a small local market or a larger global one.