It's been a while since I've launched a marketing campaign for a new site, but since we've just launched our new reseller brand - Adjent, I'm ready to dive in again. Back in the day, I had engaged in several targeted opt-in bulk email campaigns that were quite successful in terms of ROI. Now this was before spam was spam and there were only a handful of "legit" companies doing this. Now it looks like there are tons. I also remember trying out some search engine placement services with underwhelming results. My questions: Can anyone recommend a targeted bulk email service that is "legit" and comprised of opt-in customers. I certainly don't want to spam (although I know you can argue that all bulk email of this sort IS spam). Also can anyone recommend a search engine placement service that will guarantee results i.e. Top 10 or Top 25 or something like that?

Thanks in advance.....

Originally posted by rbro
Also can anyone recommend a search engine placement service that will guarantee results i.e. Top 10 or Top 25 or something like that?My advice: if a search engine optimization/placement firm guarantees top 10 (or whatever) positioning, stay away from them. It's the SEO equivalent of "unlimited bandwidth" -- it's smoke and mirrors.

SEO industry "best practices" dictate not making such guarantees, for the simple reason that such results can't be predicted. Services that do so take this approach: identify a few dozen (lets say 50) keyword phrases. Identify 20 search engines (ignoring the fact that only about six matter). Specify a period of six months to get "results." And guarantee that at least one result will be in the top 10.

50 phrases x 20 search engines x 6 months = a 1 in 6,000 chance.

So, why does it matter, as long as you get one or more "top 10s?" Simply because the SEO firm themselves are selecting the words and phrases being targeted; which means that the "good" positioning you seem to achieve is ultimately worthless. Your SEO firm selects the terms, and they can select terms that they know are not competitive; and terms are not competitive for one reason: they don't matter... because almost no one searches for them.

One shady technique: identify a phrase already existing on the client website, but not on many other sites (these are really easy to find) as a targeted search term. Instant "Top 10!!"

Well I'd only be interested in a SEO firm that let's ME pick the keywords.....

Be very careful in your search for an "opt-in" list broker ... there are zillions of fakes out there who call themselves "opt-in" ... beware! :cool:

Originally posted by HostAZ
Be very careful in your search for an "opt-in" list broker ... there are zillions of fakes out there who call themselves "opt-in" ... beware! :cool:

Can you recommend any legit ones?

I think you are asking for problems with any form of bulk mailings, unless they are all opt-in on YOUR own list...

sorry no personal experience with these ... but http://focalex.com/ is pretty large and they've coop relations with a lot of sites