Just a short while ago my attention was caught by a guest post called ‘Don’t tell me I’m wasting my time‘ by Marjorie Clayman at Convince and Convert, a great blog owned by Jay Baer. The post is about people putting in critique for writing about topics covered earlier, in terms like these (quote from the post):
See, a lot of people have chided me for covering “the same ole stuff.” For covering the basics. For reviewing, again, some Twitter or blogging best practices. “We already know this!” they mutter. “You’re just creating an echo chamber of what has already been said,” others say.
The reason this caught my attention is that I’ve found that newbie email marketers are not treated well in some cases – they are either seen as lazy, a timesink or just plain annoying. Who are they to think they can talk and discuss on your level of proficiency in your area of expertise?
Well don’t forget one day you were a newbie too, in this case in email marketing: the first time you made your html/css email template, sent your email campaign, nervous about stats and response. You have been handed tips by veterans too to get you on the right track, give inspiration and think different.
The art of good email marketing is not a simple one, though. The path to knowledge and in-depth expertise can be long and frustrating: but just because of that it can be quite rewarding when you get to a certain point too. But knowledge not shared is worth nothing. Share the wealth of expertise, make everyone better: get the new people up to par and welcome them. They are the future you, after all.
In this case I’d like to welcome everyone just joining the email marketing industry. It’s tough, it’s fun and there’s a great community here, in my humble opinion.
Case in point: getting a cool email geek tshirt (and stubby cooler) sent by a fellow email marketer across the globe. In this case from Ros Hodgekiss over at Campaign Monitor:
And a lovely note which made my day:
This was because I saw a picture of Ros wearing this shirt and I asked whether I could order one. Not necessary in this case, as you can see.
For the new guys: welcome and read up. Head over to Mark Brownlow’s excellent email advertising’s basics article, and also this post about basic email marketing skills on this blog.
For the veterans: thanks for reading, and if you see a newbie stumble: don’t laugh, but help them. It will be worth it.
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Great Post Remy,
I know that starting with a new skill (which I think emailmarketing is), is never easy. What i love about e-mail is that the true patrons like you, Mark Brownlow and Loren MacDonald (to name just a few because the list is almost endless) of this industry always love to help the brave new emailmarketers out. By that I mean literally helping e-mail marketers with their questions.
Anyone reading this post, if you have any question, don’t be inimidated and just ask or send an email to those great guys and gals in the email space. Mine is: jvrijn@emailmonday.com and i would be glad to help you out.
Having just started working in the email field last month, it’s great to see so many friendly people out there willing to share so much valuable information.
Thank you everyone.
Thank you Remy for this very thoughtful post. I remember being a newbie not so long ago and being intimidated by lots of new concepts – ROI, rendering in Outlook, open rates. It’s good for all of us to reflect on what a learning curve it was and how we were helped by others along the way.
To the new email marketers, I also say, ‘Welcome!’. All the longtimers have been there. We’re all still learning. Although it may seem intimidating at first, this is a great industry in terms of being able to reach out to experienced folk and to get a reply… Or a t-shirt. Come on, Remy – after you asked so nicely, how could I say no? 😉
Finally, as Remy said, just keep on sharing. New marketers, if you find a new email marketing trick or better way of doing things, don’t be shy to pass it on because you’re ‘starting out’ or ‘may not understand email properly’. Many of my posts have been based on ideas or perspectives that have come from people who are new to the scene, so veterans take note!