You want to know how to really yank someone off? I mean really - really get their goat? Here's how:
Make an e-mail offer. In that offer send your reader off to a web page. Repeat the offer. Then say: GOTCHA!
Real Life Case In Point:
I subscribe to various and sundry e-mail publications (ezines).
On one of them I got this offer:
"So keep your mind sharp by reading more poetry (especially poetry in verse). Start today by signing up for the Academy of American Poets' "Poem a Day" e-mail at http://www.poets.org/poemADay.php."
OK! I like poetry - I even write it myself. So … click I do. No problem … got to the page and saw this:
"Beginning April 1, Poets.org will send one new poem to your inbox each day to celebrate National Poetry Month. The poems have been selected from new books published this spring. Visit our Spring Books List for a complete guide to this year's best poetry titles." …
"To sign up for the Poem-A-Day Email, simply enter your email address below."
Which I did. Did I then get what was promised? NO!@#!!
I got this instead:
The email address you've entered is not registered on www.poets.org, please register before trying to subscribe. Click here to register.
Let me tell you this for free - I was chapped! I hate being led down the primrose path - by anyone or anything. I did what was asked - I "simply" entered my e-mail address below. And got screwed for my efforts. I clicked off that site faster than a politician leaves a scandal.
Moral Of The Story:
BE UPFRONT! If you want someone to jump through hoops - say so beforehand. In this case - simply add the copy:
"To sign up for the Poem-A-Day Email, please make sure you're registered and then simply enter your email address below."
Is that asking too much?
