Junk mail fail

Going through the mail the other day, I came across a simple white envelope from one of my utility companies.

On the outside of the envelope was printed this headline:

IMPORTANT SERVICE NOTICE ENCLOSED.
PLEASE RESPOND IMMEDIATELY.

My blood pressure spiked as I read it.

I was convinced this was a statement from the utility telling me it about to turn off my service. I tore into that envelope convinced I was in for a months-long battle trying to proof that I was up to date on my payments.

My blood pressure spiked again when I saw what was inside: a letter trying to sell me an upgrade.

Direct response advertising is my specialty. No one knows better than I the importance of getting a prospect to open the envelope. BUT YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO PISS PEOPLE OFF IN THE PROCESS.

Disgusted, I threw the letter away. Then went back to fish it out so I could write this post.

Now I get the satisfaction of throwing it away a second time.

Comments

[K]

Still think advertising is "Good for You"? Is this only the first time you've gotten that type of direct mailer? Really?

I've gotten literally thousands of them over the years, hundreds I had to open because they so closely emulated official documents. That's hours of my limited life span spent opening and reading their crap. And they are usually for some dingbat company so it doesn't matter if I get pissed off or not, most likely I'll never interface with them again and tomorrow I'll get another one.

Now just wait until you get on the telemarketing merry go round. You're going to love that.