Dispatches from the NXT desk
As a reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, I get lots of things sent to me over e–mail. Questions about accuracy, requests for help on school projects, anonymous insults, bacon recipes, concert notices, news releases from politicians, offers from Nigerian princes...I could go on.
In the interest of transparency (and unintentional comedy), I thought I'd start sharing some of the dispatches that come across the NXT desk.
Lately as I've been writing more on technology and Internet trends, I've been getting more e–mails on products and services, which is great because I like to at least think I can keep on top of developing technologies. Combine that with e–mails on surveys, research and trends and you've got a crowded inbox.
How ironic that we received this yesterday:
"JUNK MAIL JUNKIES?
New Study Shows We Can't Resist the Temptation
"Say what you will about annoying junk emails clogging your inbox. A new
study conducted by Endai Worldwide shows unsolicited emails - otherwise
known as 'spam' - are surprisingly effective at doing what they are designed
to do: Getting people to buy."
Yes, that's right. Spam is good and good for you. And apparently there are people out there who will buy anything.
According to the scientists at Endai Worldwide, results show that in the last 12 months at least 50 percent of men and women surveyed said they bought something because of an unsolicited e–mail, and 16 percent saying yes, they indeed they have made purchases thanks to a message they found in the Spam folder.
Now that may be understandable because we all know sometimes e–mail filters catch things you actually want, but still, that seems like a lot of people, no?
"Indeed, over 40% of the respondants (sic) cited 'a good offer or deal' as the most important factor in their decision to make an online purchase. One quarter was most drawn to buy because the product offering was of interest to them.
Recognition of the company or brand name mentioned in the email and an interesting subject line were also mentioned as draws that helped to close the sale. Over 21% of respondants indicated that the emails they open and buy from are about something they're 'specifically interested in.'"
OK. Well, let me scan my Spam box for a second...
"Change your sex life with Xtrasize+!"
"Separate yourself from other men"
"Eat what you want without gaining in weight!"
"Offrez-vous un réveillons magique!"
So, yeah, I can see how you would be enticed to shop, with all of that flooding your inbox.
Sure they're trying to make a point, that e–mail is a GREAT way to advertise, but really, how many people really enjoy getting e–mails from strangers with subject lines you wouldn't want other people to see?
Here's the best part – they say they surveyed 7,500 men and women just before Thanksgiving.
"The company received a 90% response rate to the queries, which were sent as an email questionnaire."
A survey about Spam that likely went to your Spam box. Nice work.
Posted by at 03:57 PM
E-mail this entry to a friend
Thank god for SPAM folders because now I am RICH! I just got the following offer, which is obviously totally legit, and not at all scary:
You are hereby advised to send your Full Contact Information as well as the name of the closest airport to your city in the format stated below so that the funds would be brought to your Country of residence by 3 Diplomats who would accompany you to your bank (if you want them to) to deposit the funds in your name and submit all documentations that has to do with the origin of the funds in other to exonerate you from any form of investigations or interrogation and to authenticate the fact that the funds are clean and has no links whatsover with either drugs or terrorism.
*****
I really enjoy the SPAM that first offers me cheap viagra (which I am always looking for) then has strings of bizarre text. I always wonder where that comes from/what it's for. Perhaps trying to beat the spam filter, or, as I tend to think, someone in the former Soviet Republic is trying to send me a secret code. Example from an email I got yesterday (minus the 'medical offer'):
brainstorm articulate dinosaur coffman despot bedstraw explosive friedman massey sledge be. brazier without crust ku barrel nibelung see see.
**
What are they trying to tell me?
Posted by ac
December 6, 2007 10:26 AM
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