Rebecca Simpson

Subject lines have a massive impact on the open rates of email campaigns and can influence response metrics. It can be for many subscribers the only piece of information that she or he has to make a decision to open your email or not.

Your subject lines therefore need to be enticing and unique as you are potentially up against thousands of email marketing campaigns for attention in the inbox.

Your subject line is potentially as important as the email itself and should be given due time and attention. Below are some simple tips to always keep in mind when composing your own subject lines.

Short – Subject lines should be kept as short as possible. Many email clients cut off long subject lines with the number of allowed characters varying. We would recommend that you use no more than 55 characters however research shows that open rates fall off after 40 characters.

Test – A great benefit of email is that you can test several subject lines on a sample of recipients. You can then send your campaign with the subject line that performed best.

Spam Words – Remove any spam words. Phrases such as, “Save,” “Discount,” Free,”  “Buy Now,” “Special Offer.”

Capital Letters – Never use capitals. In addition to being a typical spam technique that many filters will catch capital letters look unprofessional. Another spam technique to avoid id to use RE: or FW: in your subject line, trying to make it look like you know the user simply doesn’t work.

Value – Your subject line is the first thing the user sees of your brand. Make sure to clearly state the proposition.

Relevancy – Make sure that your subject line reflects the content of your message and is enticing to the reader.

if you would like more information about email marketing contact our specialist rebecca@armadillo-creative.com

I’ve been listening to the Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans offer to take a dinosaur off the hands of the popular Dan-yr-Ogof National Showcase Centre for Wales, near Swansea, which  is turning into a feature on the popular presenters show, as the story takes it sweeps and turns kept alive by a ever more fascinated and willing audience. 

Let’s consider your company using techniques such as guerrilla and viral marketing.

What is guerrilla marketing? it was invented as an unconventional system of promotions that relies on time, energy and imagination rather than a big marketing budget. Guerrilla marketing involves unusual approaches such as intercept encounters in public places, street giveaways of products, PR stunts, any unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. More innovative approaches to Guerrilla marketing now utilize cutting edge mobile digital technologies to really engage the consumer and create a memorable brand experience

The buzzwords viral marketing and viral advertising refer to marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness or to achieve other marketing objectives (such as product sales) through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of pathological and computer viruses. It can be word-of-mouth delivered or enhanced by the network effects of the Internet. Viral promotions may take the form of video clips, interactive Flash games, advergames, ebooks, brandable software, images, or even text messages.

So whether Chris can get past Natasha and the local planning department who knows he may be soon the proud owner of a the outgoing ‘Bronto’ . The real winners are Showcave which during this bank holiday weekend will no doubt see an increase in visitors.

 If you would like to discuss viral and guerrilla marketing campaigns please contact Anne Woodcock anne@armadillo-creative.com

The team at Armadillo will be launching the major new summer campaign for Go Smarter aiming to encourage people to get the most out of travelling smarter throughout the North East this summer.

The campaign will introduce new and exciting ways for people to travel round the region, with designs that are interesting for people to notice and want to read, but still have all the key information in an easy to understand way.

Last year’s campaign “Leave Traffic Standing” was shortlisted for a prestigious award

For more information on this and other travel campaigns in the region, visit Go Smarter online at www.gosmarter.co.uk

 If you would like to discuss your marketing with a member of our team please contact Anne Woodcock on 0191 257 8380  anne@armadillo-creative.com

Careline Lifestyles have appointed Armadillo Creative to develop and progress Careline across branding, web and print. Careline Lifestyles is a leading independent provider of high quality nursing and residential care, specialising in neuro, learning and physical disabilities for persons over 18 years of age in addition to providing nursing, residential and social care for the elderly, based in the North East of England.

Established in 1986, Careline Lifestyles now operate 11 care homes throughout the North East of England and have a further 3 units under development which are due to open in 2010/2011.

Moya Goodyear, Marketing Manager of Careline Lifestyles said: “We are delighted to appoint and work with Armadillo on this very exciting phase of the companies expansion and development across a spectre of work. Careline have a very active growth strategy for 2010 and this needs underpinning by strong brand development work which Armadillo will provide with the sparkle that they always do.”

Rachel Burgess, Armadillo Client Services Director said: “Careline Lifestyles promises to be a very fulfilling account, the very structure and unique proposition of the Careline culture makes for compelling brand marketing.”

Careline Lifestyles is just one one of a number of recent account gains at Armadillo this year including Royal Quays Outlet Centre, Chocolate Lovers, Premier Crafts, Edgar Ford, and Game Fishing Supplies.

If you would like further information about Armadillo  Creative  please  telephone  Anne Woodcock on 0191 257 8380

Armadillo Creative, have been successful appointed by Durham County Council to implement the brand development and marketing collateral for the 2010 Brass Festival which will include web, design and advertising.

Managing Director of Armadillo, Berry Burgess, said: “It’s great that Brass has returned back into the agency after a years absence. It has always been a very creative project to work on and we are sure that this years campaign will get heads turning again. We decided to do something completely different to what may be perceived or expected, Brass is a unique event and we wanted to establish a unique creative approach to the norm.”

Brass: Durham International Festival is a two-week celebration of internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles. Drawn from across the widest of musical spectrums with an amazing variety of music, BRASS illuminates the strong musical and cultural bond that connects the North East with the international traditions of brass music. The festival is a testament to the strength of our particular brass tradition and many excellent brass ensembles and brass bands that County Durham produces. The festival will take place from Saturday July 3rd to Sunday July 18th.

If you would like further information about Armadillo  Creative  please  telephone  Anne Woodcock on 0191 257 8380