Good, Erin, I didn't think so! I know I'm only hyperaware of it because of the vast dollars worth of services that have been donated to me. I once pressured my graphic designer into invoicing me so I could receipt her as gifts in kind, and I was shocked to discover the total I'd run up (and she did it conservatively). So since then I've been much better about at least being aware of what I'm being given, even if the people in question are still happy to give it.

So good! Yay for collaboration!

Here is my latest quick blog post that features one of the most important question s we can ask ourselves to 'keep cool.' (see what I did there?)

Plus, it includes a summer deal.

Here is the same post in blast email form.

This is my question. How can I make these emails more attractive?

My list isn't huge...a bit more than 300. And, lately, my open rates have been down.

I've read what seems like reams of advice on this sort of thing, but I'm just not feeling successful.

I'm beating my head against that marketing wall until I bleed. What should I be doing differently?!

Bonny, I am working on this same thing.

Are you on Twitter? Have you offered a giveaway or a promo coupon?

I'm using MailChimp for my email/newsletter subscribe list, and (since I've been using it, you know, 6 DAYS) there's a lot of stuff I'm still working out.

But they have lots of templates. And I've seen some nice, nice stuff sent out on it; plus, it's free until you get like, 5000 followers and send out over 150 (or some other ridic #) "campaigns" a month.

LinkedIn groups? Is there a coaching/counseling equivalent of Publisher's Marketplace?

Do you comment on other people's blogs?

Understand, this is just stuff I have picked up in my, um, weeks of experience. But these seem to be the things that are hit over and over, unless you get into analytics and SEO and Adsense, and all that other stuff I'm totally still educating myself on slowly, and know jack about.

ETA: Oh, and I think your blast e-mail looks quite nice, actually.

Bonny, insent. I had some ideas about how to shorten and focus your message. I suspect the weather isn't helping you. This doesn't feel like self-improvement month; it feels like gin rickey month.

This doesn't feel like self-improvement month; it feels like gin rickey month.

Amen Sister.

I almost didn't send out a message today because I'm just NOT feeling it. But, I'm trying to stay consistent with at least one message a week.

The good news is, I did get a former client to bite on the discount. So, that pretty much paid for my time.

If only I could get 10 more, life would be mighty fine.

Thanks for your comments Ginger. As I said in my backfling, you are really good at this stuff!

Erin, I haven't looked for linked in groups OR commented on other people's stuff. Maybe that sort of thing is what I should be doing when my creative juices are flowing like a not even moving thing.

Thanks for the nudge. And the complement. I've been using Constant Contact for 10 years and this is the first template I've been really proud of.

It took EPIC tweaking.

EPIC tweaking.

I am rapidly learning that that phrase is shorthand for OH GOD OH GOD MY EYES PLEASE STAB ME A THOUSAND TIMES WITH A PITCHFORK INSTEAD.

bonny, slight error in the second paragraph in the blast email "with you finances and in your career".

Oh crap. Thanks Epic. I really should get editing before the fact because there are ALWAYS errors like that. Most of the time, I am pretty sanguine about being dyslexic. It's stuff like this that makes me crazy.

And I apologize for taking your name in vain.

And, yes, Erin...stabbity stab stab.

I connected with the head of tech at CC, so now I get even better service when I need help with the tweaking. And the evolutionary process of their design wizard has been really good.

I have a question about wording.

I want to check in with a financial planner I met with last week to see if he has come up with any referrals for me.

I don't want to be pushy, but I want to be pushy because I need those referrals, he said he might have some and I don't want him to forget me.

My initial impulse is to link him to a couple of blog posts about money communication.

What can I say that doesn't sound desperate?

Oh crap. Thanks Epic. I really should get editing before the fact because there are ALWAYS errors like that. Most of the time, I am pretty sanguine about being dyslexic. It's stuff like this that makes me crazy.

My pleasure. I can't turn it off, so I'm glad to put the grammar/spelling/typo nazi to good use. (I was trying to not use "nazi" there, but couldn't come up with another word to convey what I was going for. Hmm. t /Natter ).

And I apologize for taking your name in vain.

Hee. It did catch my eye, though. So I guess it worked for the best.

edited to fix tag/paren error that would have driven everyone mad