While I have been reading multiple GPTR adding a policy about full mailboxes, I started thinking about the size of the emails some of these same companies/sites send out.

A lot of the paid emails contain quite a bit of stuff other than ads (ad prices, complaints, jokes, links to signup for other programs under their name, etc). While in one email this may not seem like much, the problem is when several sites do this every day -- so if you are unable to check your email account on a given day, it really fills up.

So I'm asking - is it really necessary to send out all this additional information besides the ads (therreby making each email longer and larger)? Does anyone actually look at ad prices, the webmaster's complaints, etc when they open these emails (in other words, is it really worth including in the first place)?

Of course I just might be odd in wanting emails that are as short as possible containing only the ads and associated links.

Depends on the email client the member is using. Hotmail is only 2MB. On 04/07/2002 I received 81 CAC paid emails and it's only 276k. Would take 8 days or so for CAC emails to max a hotmail account.

I am using a free web-based email account just for receiving paid emails.
I'm seriously thinking of changing my email address in my PTR accounts to my ISP so I can filter them into a folder, because they fill my mailbox up so FAST!
I get multiple copies of many of the same mails, loads of non-paid announcements, news, IMPORTANT UPDATE PLEASE READ!!!s, and so on and so on.
I'm getting at least 300 to 400 mails daily in that mailbox, and maybe 1/2 to 2/3 have a paid link, and that link often turns out to be 1/4 to 1/2 cent!
I have to log in to my GPTREM account several times every day to clear it out.
And Heidi is correct, the mails are so full of ad rates etc, when there could simply be a link to the ad page. There should also be a link to updates, news, etc. Some of these mails are so long that I don't have time to go through them to find that 1/4 cent paid link!
And CAC owners are wondering why they are not getting enough clicks?
That's why I'm taking extensive measures to make sure my own members are going to find it worthwhile to read my mails. I don't want to fall into the trap of offering extremely low rates for paid links due to extremely low ad rates. I am implementing other ways for my members to make money, and for my site to make money for them, and I'm going to try to keep my mail-outs a reasonably short length.
Before complaining that ads aren't getting enough clicks, make it easier on the members, and make it worth their while!
Just my 2 cents :smile:

hmmmmm u seem to be talking about me eh....my link was in there for a promotion from a member that asked me if i wanted a position to help him promote his site , so i said ok we will try it , same promotion i gave ppc, we tried that no one was interested so discontinued it. only 1 member that i know actually signed up, and yes members do email me about the jokes that they want to see, and i thought it funny, and thought you guys could use a laugh. sorry it was too long for you.

AOL isn't based on size its based on ammounts.


I can store 1000 messages. KB doesn't matter.

I prefer long ones because they dont have to send seperate ones for their nonpaid ads and such.

TJ

Then why am I getting so many non-paid ads? I know it's not just me!

because this is what is offered to gold members they deserve to have there ad seen after paying for a membership and spending there money. $10 is not enough to send to whole list

tombmailer, nobody is pointing the finger at you specifically, we (at least I am) talking generally.
As a matter of fact, I rather enjoy your mails, I read them to see what you have to say next!
:smile:

yeah but if you read the first post seems most directed towards me :smile:

not saying u but was just giving explantion of my opinion :tongue:

Are we talking about CAC sites specifically or including non-CAC's? I'm really surprisd with the fast rising number of CAC sites launching that there is really less ratio of paid/nonpaid now than there was a year ago. Used to be about 50/50, now may be 1/10. Haven't really kept track. Hmmm may be another one of my useless facts for the site :tongue:

I find quite a few of the non-CAC sites send a larger ratio of nonpaid to paid emails.

I try to send as many as i can :tongue: that are paid anyway

[ 04-12-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

No Rhea, read 1st post carefully. There are many that send long lists of their own links and advertising rates in EVERY email, no matter if it's a quickie NPA or whatever. It's not directed to you and you alone. :confused:

but this is :smile: i will admit *standing up raising the hand "it was me"

Tombmailer, actually my post was not directed soley at one company/site. Multiple sites list there ad prices. And more than one webmaster has included a complaint about members. I simply didn't list any specific names because more than one company is doing this.

I do understand why non-paid ads are sent out - because some has paid for them. However, why must a site owner include long lists of signup links for other programs they belong to in every email (to sign up under the webmaster).

I never directly addressed the changes to terms of service, but while it is useful to know it is preferable to have links instead of everything written out.

The whole reason behind my first post was because I came back from being gone for a weekend and was surprised that my mailbox was almost 1/3 full (and I have a 6 MB limit).

yeah but the jokes were me you don't like my joke :frown: TJG sent that i liked it. I couldn't help sending that today made me laugh so hard.


yes i agree on the long list of there referral urls

But you and Brenda have taken it from the same old safelist style of mailings to and interesting "begs to be read" newsletter style. I like it, heck with the whiners.

I didn't know you were going to send that to the list...I didn't write it, foudn it on some website...but I can't remember which one. LOL

TJ

Tombmailer, yes the jokes was you specifically. However, that doesn't mean that the entire 1st post only applys to you. It was a one time thing, but it is not a one time thing that companies list their ad prices, complain about something etc.

I don't want to point any fingers, I just wanted to ask, "is it necessary" to include a site's ad prices OR links to programs the webmaster belongs to OR the webmaster complaining about something a member did. I have seen multiple emails from multiple companies that include one of those regurally.

If there is a legimate reason in a webmasters mind to include something, fine. But honestly, does listing your normal ad prices increase ad sales? does listing referral links to programs you belong to get you referrals?

And I really question what purpose it serves to post complaints from members in the emails or the webmaster's complaints. (I just don't see what this does.)

I'm not a webmaster of a GPTR site, so I don't know why people continue to include some or all of these things (but some sites don't do this). If there is a legimate reasons then I guess my choices are to scroll though or quit some programs (which I have already done, because the webmasters sent out multiple emails with complaints in them).

[ 04-12-2002: Message edited by: heidiheid ]

yes i know that it wasn't totally about me , but i also knew some of it was :tongue:

Yes, and since you seem to want to get specific one thing you have done is complain about members in your emails or include someone's complaint. I ask you - "Does that serve a purpose?" I don't see it can possibly serve a purpose, because why does someone want to read about your complaint about someone or someone complaining about you because chances you don't know the other members involved in what is being talked about? I got sick of that stuff being included, so I quit your program. I would rather earn a little less than deal with the emails or scrolling through it.

BUT your site is not alone in sending out emails with complaint about specific members or something else.

You're focusing too much on the joke that was a one time thing. It was listed to illustrated all things besides ads that are in the emails. Why should complaints, regular ad prices, etc be included in every single email? It would seem like you would want to keep your emails small as possible so that physically get sent faster.

why is The Weakest Link popular?

The members like how Rhea does it and thats why she does it the way she does it.

TJ

Is an email containing paid ads really an appropraite forum for complaining through?

The weakest link isn't the same thing at all. The host doesn't complain about the particpants complaining. They do insult people, but you know that before you go on the show or before you watch the show.

Tombmailer advertisers itself as a GPTR program. I signed up to be paid for reading emails - not to have complaints of someone I don't know sent to me about someone I don't know. I don't find anything enjoyable and how is that appropriate? There is the difference - the point of the the weakest link vs any GPTR program.

If a webmaster wants to send other stuff, like there complaints, it should be a separate sign up or option. Just like the Weakest link (which while it is popular - some people hate the show) not everyone wants to see complaints.

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: heidiheid ]

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: heidiheid ]

Well, I have to join this conversation, since my emails are longer than Rhea's. Darn, I didn't realize she beat me to it with that joke. Shoot, *I* was going to send it.

Here's my theory.

There are literally dozens - hundreds? - of these programs. Some fill your mailbox with several little emails worth varying amounts. I prefer to send 1 email worth at least 1 cent. If someone orders a solo ad, I send it. Occasionally I screw up and resend it - tonight I had to send the ()*&$^ thing 4 times because first I forgot the subject line; then it was a frame breaker, but the mailer didn't accept the petrack link and sent it out incorrectly again; the last one was the right one.

My emails are chatty, most of my readers like it that way. No-one is getting rich off this business and I figure, why not make it more enjoyable for all of us. And actually many people do enjoy reading the 'wall of shame' and 'kudos'.

I had a couple of complaints about soap operas and thus added a section of 'As The Mail Earns...'

Got a LOT of good response from that. It's just like TV - what CAN you do with a commercial?? People watch the funny ones and tell their friends.

Maybe these emails aren't the 'appropriate' place for some things, but I don't know who wrote the rules, or where they may be. I haven't seen any. And if it keeps readers reading my emails, why, all the better!

And I enjoy the way I do business. I think Rhea does, too. People who DON'T enjoy what they do burn out and give up. Then no-one gets paid.

Have to add here that including ad rates sells ads. Selling ads sends you emails...

Many people simply do not click on 'info. links'. But sometimes a line of text will catch their eye. It is a fine balance, I do not intend on including them in EVERY email. I've just been trying to sell ads.

There are many reasons why companies do things the way they do It is hard to figure out why sometimes, but there is usually a reason somewhere. I guarantee you if you were sending out these emails every day, you would die doing it the 'normal' way. You'd have to tweak SOMETHING. I also will say that I have noticed many more jokes floating around since Rhea and I have been clowning around so much.... It's a GOOD thing, guys!

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: Brenda@PJ ]

actually yes because you know what I haven't hardly received anymore complaints in my mailbox. I don't have the time for there crap and there going to find out and anyone one else who wants to find out, that each time I get I get complaint -$5 (especially over .05, .50) I spent way too much on everybody on tombmailer and all they want to do is &( whine and complain , "I don't work for nothing" or someone who want to be the "spelling queen and say I deserve to get burned by hot pot a coffee because I'm literate" I have 3.86 GPA far from literate so what if don't want to spell. And some members email me saying that they can't wait to see what I say next, so you may not like but other do, how am I to please everybody, I'm one the most honest GPTR out there that pays within a good period of time and I won't waste my money, your money on jerks like them so yes they can get off my list, one more thing, and people who supposedly got jipped from referrals got over 100 and what did I do. I gave a refund I gave them 3 ads and was there one bit of a thank you *NO* and I don't feel that I should pay them and they can go some where else.. (don't mean for this too sound rude but I don't want as*&* on my list that can't respect the stuff I do especially when it's out of my pocket and not thier's.

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

WTG buck but hey i'm not listed on your site :tongue:

hehehe


**And i agree with BRENDA *ahem she writes better than me because use to be a teacher (no fair) LOL!

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

Dear Rhea:

Am sending you some tranquili-tea from herbal store, post-haste.

Also, sending latest literature on topic 'you can't please everyone, so please yourself first and let them find their own way.' Got it laminated and tacked onto my wall, myself.

Also sending plastic bat for beating yourself up with, since it appears that you've worn out that cast-iron skillet. If you keep whacking yourself over recent need-to-be-buried events, you will need more percosets, and that would make the pharmacist suspicious, and I don't want us to get caught with our pants down regarding that crystal-meth operation we've been saving up one sudafed at a time to start...

:biggrin:

ROFL hmmmm you know brenda we should start a comedy team hehehee

i do get tired of looong lists of email programs a webmaster is in at the end of the email but i guess if it gets them referrals then i can see why.

and the jokes, member complaints, and other stuff that pocket jingle and tombmailer send out are one reason i will stay with those companies. if i find that i have to drop a few programs for time concerns it definately won't be theirs! get paid emails get boring. they make them interesting again. this should be fun if it isn't then i am going to get tired of doing it and quit. it isn't like i am making a living off of this - just hoping for extra spending money :biggrin:
that is just my personal opinion.

HERE THEE HERE THEE WE GOT 5 VOTES HEHEH ROFL!

hmmm how do we start a vote topic LOL!
that can be our vote of the day ROFL!

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

Do you honestly believe that emailing everyone the complaints you were getting stopped you from getting so many?

You added a penalty for complaining - that's probably what did. People don't want to lose money.

Do you really believe that complaining about an individual member to your whole member base stopped it or was it the penalty for complaining?

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: heidiheid ]

ROFL good point.
i think it's both, i would never cancel your account on a complaint (if it goes to badgering and harassment than i will)

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

OK! I have had it!!!!!
There is no doubt in my mind that I was the better person and walked away from this whole mess days ago, but here you are. STILL talking about this and trashing me and calling me names. How dare you! Those ads you "gave" me were only because you knew you had screwed up. Because you did not do what you told me you would. I have read post after post from your members talking about what is in your emails. I cannot believe you would trash me in your emails to your members. That is so so uncalled for and childish. I cannot believe how you have turned your misdoings into ways to gain attention for yourself. You have all of these people feeling sorry for you for things you have brought upon YOURSELF! OF course you don't tell both sides of any problem. I don't think I have ever been SO mad. I think the more posts you make the more people will see you for you really are. Some people never cease to amaze me.
I DO NOT nor will I EVER owe you an apology. I especially DO NOT owe you any thank you's for this mess either. And it looks like you actually did a smart thing by removing all those ugly things you said about me. Name calling won't get you anywhere.
Don't pat yourself on the back for my referrals. In case you forgot, I DO advertise.

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: Kirpie ]

I'm going to post this every time it's appropriate.
Flame me if you want to, I don't care. It's not for me.
=================================================
"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
"There is one Lawgiver and Judge Who is able to save and to destroy.
"So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?"
James 4:11-12
NRSV

Just wanted to make 2 very important points here.
1. I received 12 referrals from tombmailer.
2. Somehow Rhea has gotten my account information from this web site.

Rhea - mind telling everyone especially me how you got this information?

And you call yourself honest?

ok kirpie
"when i was talking about the free ads part" that was when i ran the FREE AD DAY *GENERAL NOT YOU*

no your account was not given out, i was given an approximate # of jut how many u had , since you didn't receive any from tombmailer, and i doubt that only 12 came from me and i wanted to prove that you did get referrals

"but i was fair enough to give everyone a free ad on me"

Here it says EVERYONE doesn't say just U!

and people who supposedly got jipped from referrals got over 100 and what did I do. I gave a refund I gave them 3 ads and was there one bit of a thank you *NO*

my view-opinion you don't have to like it Kirpie
If you had waited 2 days for referrals you wouldv'e had more from tombmailer. (this is where i'm most angry about is because you jummped the gun)to point a finger for 0 referrals and than you lie to everyone when you have 100 PLEASE! and there's no way of telling that only 12 signed up from tombmailer show me proof

1100 hits to all members before i took the link down and you said only 12 sign ups and please don't forget i traded my email with yours on the copper pettrack link so you get some of my main referrals

if you just waited even remotely 2 days you wouldv'e had 500 from tombmailer but because went going balistic that "I was so unfair to you you lost out"

Those ads you "gave" me were only because you knew you had screwed up. I have read post after post from your members talking about what is in your emails. No i didn't scre up i told you it would go out in the next ad, plus you got a solo ad so where's the screw up???

u're quoteBecause you did not do what you told me you would.my quoteI was going to promote it ,I can run the ad like mine first and then when I send a second one yours will be in there that way we get the same referrals and I'll run it like back to backand I did do what I told you. and you knew i knew about the program.

It's my fault, your fault,her fault *JUST ADMIT IT* Blame is on all of us, so stop acting like your so innocent...1200 (you) 2103(me) along with trading your email on mine

that is not bad that is a good click thru rate on you and me. BUT could've been more had I not added the message to out links "too not sign up until tomorrow" that is what hurt both sides of referrals.

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

i agree w/ everyone about not liking the long emails. i get about 100 emails a day. i wake up and have about 40-50 in my inbox. i check them before bed and i have another 40-50.

but i also understand the non-paid emails and the advertising in the middle of paid-emails. it's extra advertisement.

since i don't have paypal or egold, i get all my payments w/ checks, so the companies that don't pay by check, i redeem my earnings for advertisement and it's kinda nice to know who's got the cheapest prices w/ out having to log onto each site seperately.

one thing that might help this all, is to label the emails better. in the subject line, let us know in CAP LETTERS whether it's a paid-email or now. lots of compaines do that already and i appreciate that a lot! LOL if it's just an email w/ ad rates and banner impression rates, i think the subject line should let us know for those that don't want to read about the rates.

just my two cents though. i think this is a good thread. it lets the owners of these sites know our opinions to make the customers pleased.

also, don't know about you all... but when i'm not in the mood for reading the jokes or complaints, i just skim past them. it's usually pretty easy to tell where the paid links are in the emails. just look for the links w/ you email addy at the end and http://www."PROGRAMNAME".com/. at the beginning... those are usually the paid links.

~cheesemmm :eek:

ok, don't want to get on anyones badside here, but tombmailer, i don't think you understood what they were asking.

they said that, do you think that the complaints stopped because you posted each complaint in the emails you send to everyone, OR because you
started enforcing a penalty?
honestly, i think it was the penalty. if i were to send a complaint to you and you posted it for everyone to see, i would just complain more. i'd start arguing w/ you so everyone could see it.
but if you threatened to close my account, or enforce a penalty of any kind, i would stop complaining.
does that make sense??

~cheesemmm :biggrin:

ROFL good point.

i think it's both, i would never cancel your account on a complaint (if it goes to badgering and harassment than i will) :tongue:

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: tombmailer ]

What does ROFL stand for? :smile:

About complaints in the e-mail:
I guess it is quite good to let everyone know because later on everyone can know that what a disatisfied member want from a company.
Beside that, later on the webmaster will not receive same email complaint the same thing. This can save time for the webmasters.

ROFL= Rolling on the floor laughing
See this site for definitions of chat room and forum abbreviations:
http://www.flash.net/~mherk/chatword.htm

:smile:

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: freeandeasy ]

Okay...thanks :")

ahh thanks :smile: that's reason i put it up and

ROFL = Rolling on the floor laughing :tongue:

I just finished reading all of this.........ahhh
back to the original topic.............IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE LONG EMAILS, UNSUBSCRIBE!!!!!

Some of us enjoy Tombmailer and Pocket Jingle just the way they are. Some of the others can put you to sleep.

Anyway, Rhea and Brenda, please do not listen to these people. They will cause you to rethink how you do things and then you will make changes.

I know I speak for the majority of TM and PJ members and these 2 programs are our favorites.

I am member to just as many if not more PTR,PTC, traffic, etc, etc, and no, sometimes I don't have time for long emails, but I make time, just to have a laugh once in awhile.
If some of the other sites had more of a personal touch, more people would be enjoy them.

Just my opinion, but I get a little mad when someone goes after Rhea or Brenda(no they do not know me).

Again, just my opinion, no hate mail please.

I say again,"If you don't like the program, unsubscribe!"

actually, i think it is good that all of this came about. programs owners should know what ALL members think about the program whether good or bad.
i do agree w/ you on that if they don't like the program to just unsubscribe, but i think it is crucial for the owners to know the pros AND the cons.

thanks for listening :smile:
~cheesemmm :eek:

Quit whining so much. Tombmailer & PocketJingle are the two most entertaining PTRE progams that I'm in.

I also want to say that the ad prices are helpful for people like myself that actually purchase ads from different PTRE programs, in hopes that the people in these groups that go to the sites ACTUALLY sign up.

what a great first post chris! looks to me like a lot of this has been resolved. i don't think there is any reason for someone to come in here and be rude right off the bat.

~cheesemmm :eek:

i think its kinda funny hearing bout what ppl complain about..but yeah with all the rates etc it can get kinda annoying but i just dont read it. BUt if you go away for say a week and dont check ur email u may be unsubscribed to alot of programs cuz dont they cancel ur account if ur email bounces. thats not fair since theyre the ones that wrote all the junk. Oh well.

Yahoo offers 6mb free storage of emails and you can filter the incoming emails into different folders. This is what I used and have gone on a week long trip without checking emails and still have had room left.

Brenda

OMG, another Brenda!!

Well, here in NM, we call that a 'mi tocalla'.. Anyhow.

I LIKE to read all this grumbling because it gives me something to complain about besides my cat, and I do learn about how members would like things to improve.

I listen to all complaints, even if they are ridiculous and infuriating because obviously SOMEONE was unhappy. Now, I don't always HEED them!!

I did take the ad rates out, but as I explained I hadn't intended on leaving them there forever anyhow.

And to be fair, the person who started this thread wasn't specifically talking about Tombmailer and PJ in the beginning, although I am sure we inspire many harrumphs.

Oh well.
:biggrin: