2010
Funny ha ha: It’s good to laugh
Guest post from Jackie Barrie.
Email newsletters are NOT best used for hard-selling. That would make them an advert (and most people don’t read many of those). As a soft-selling tool, newsletters can include content such as humour … tips and advice … demonstration of your expertise … testimonials … as well as news.
One of my clients asked me to write a regular newsletter for her clients and prospects. I recommended adding a (relevant) joke at the end of each issue. Why? Because I know that my own newsletter gets forwarded around the world, not just because it’s packed with useful information, but also because of the wordy humour I always include. People bother to open the email and read it because they know they’ll find something of value, as well as something that will make them smile.
Anyway, in one issue, the joke I sourced for the client was a bit near the knuckle; it was about as rude as I would ever dare recommend to any business that wants to be taken seriously.
Wow, what a response she got!
A number of people contacted her to say: ‘Got your newsletter, loved the joke, by the way, can I talk to you about doing some work for me?’
Top tip: Jokes are forwarded around the Internet all the time. But remember, if you want to use any in your own communications under your own brand, it’s best to accredit the original author or re-write them to avoid any copyright issues.
About the author: Copywriter Jackie Barrie of Comms Plus sends her own Writing Without Waffle newsletter every month, and claims it wins her a significant amount of business. You can sign up at www.comms-plus.co.uk.
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Posted 5-28-2010
Sarah Arrow
Jackie, I love your newsletters. Nothing made me prouder than when you said you would use my “Essex Speak” in one of them, and yes, I do forward them :)
Posted 5-3-2010
Peter Hargreaves
In the building industry there are lods of opportunities for jokes and funny stories, so this is a brilliant idea – thanks!
Posted 5-3-2010
Nikki Pilkington
It’s an interesting point – I have responded to newsletters before because of a joke, and I do alway scroll to the end of the PopBitch mailout to reald the ‘old jokes’ home’ closer.
I’m not sure there are many jokes that I could relate to my industry though!
Posted 5-3-2010
The Card Company
Agreat idea, thanks! We hadn’t considered using jokes in our newsletters, and as a greetings card company, we have plenty of material!
Posted 5-3-2010
Julie Mann
Great idea. Yes brightening up someones day, has an impact in the world. A smile can make all the difference to someone, and as it does, that smile can spread like ripples in a pond.
Julie Mann Habitfixer.com
Posted 5-3-2010