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>> Most Useful Links of 2003

By Debbie Weil

Here's my short list of "most useful" links to free resources on the Web.

1. Jakob Nielsen's Writing for the Web resources
This is an oldie but goodie. Nielsen is a usability expert who's been writing a bi-weekly column since 1995. You'll find all the columns in his archive. On the resource page above, look for links to articles about "scannability" as well as his columns about "writing transactional emails" and "email newsletters."

2. Judy Vorfeld's Web Grammar
You might want to bookmark this page. Take a look at her Writing Center, her links related to Web site design and pointers to reference pages for the 50 U.S. states, tables and charts, libraries, etc. I love this kind of stuff...

3. BtoB Online's 100 Best B2B Web Sites
If you're thinking of revamping your site next year, spend some time looking through the evaluations of these top 100 sites. HP.com gets the #1 spot for "Fantastic site with lots of useful computing tools and tips. First-class e-commerce function; customer service options abound, including online chat. Beautiful, modern design."

If you missed last week's issue, here's part I of a Top 10 gift list for online marketers.

Are you wrestling with the insanity of wrapping things up at the end of the year? Treat yourself to some year-end reading as you look ahead to your marketing plans for 2004.

Buy and download now; then print out to read during that lull between Christmas and New Year's.

Oh, and don't forget your holiday gift that comes with any purchase (a complimentary copy of Best of WordBiz Report, Volume II *until midnight December 31st*).

Please note: MarketingSherpa and WordBiz are running two completely separate holiday gift promotions. Shop at SherpaStore and get How to Sell Good Marketing to Your CEO. Shop at the WordBiz store and get Best of WordBiz Report, Volume II.

For e-newsletter publishers

1. Top 10 Tips to Launch an E-Newsletter Plus 5 Tips to Get it Opened Meaty 22-page guide you can print out and use immediately to launch or improve an email newsletter.
BUY NOW $17 [WordBiz]

2. Permission Emailer's Guide to Avoiding (Sp*m) Filters Get the handbook only (it's excellent) or buy the handbook plus audio CD and printed transcript of the teleseminar on this topic. Read my full-length review of this guide.
BUY NOW $99 or 149 [SherpaStore]

3. Insider Secrets of Profitable E-Newsletters: Get Opened. Get Read. Get Results. Over half your competitors are publishing an e-newsletter or ezine. Can you launch one that trumps theirs? This step-by-step 149-page guide is getting raves from readers. Complete package contains the PDF, printed version in handsome 3-ring binder (new cover!) and audio CD. See above for description of 5 bonuses. Click here to see the snazzy new binder cover.
BUY NOW $149 (includes 5 bonuses worth $288) [WordBiz]

For business bloggers

4. Audio CD of WordBiz Blogging for Business Teleseminar
Pop this high-quality recording into your car or computer and find out more about blogging (including what it is) and why you might want to add a blog to your site.
BUY NOW $32 includes shipping [WordBiz]

5. How Successful Companies Get Real Results With Weblogs New report from MarketingWonk. Rick Bruner, one of my interviewees in the WordBiz blogging teleseminar, is the co-author. BUY NOW $99 [SherpaStore]

Last week's issue had a lower open rate than usual. I scratched my head over this. There are always several explanations, of course. One is that it's the holiday season and you're just too busy to read everything in your inbox. (I sympathize.)

But when I looked again at the subject line: "Holiday gift picks, Part I," I spotted a problem.

This is NOT a good subject line. Bringing your attention to suggested PDF reports for purchase was top of mind for me. Probably not for you... and I don't blame you. Who wants to be "sold at"? (This violates the WIIFM - what's in it for me - rule.)

The second half of the subject line was: "Short copy wins in WordBiz vote." Too bad I didn't lead with this. It refers to the top article, which compared long vs. short copy with a case study on two identical sales pages.

Read the article (Exclusive Interview: A Tale of Two Sales Pages) if you missed it.

Happy holidays and warm regards,

Publisher & Editor, WordBiz Report

P.S. Hey, send me some feedback if I haven't heard from you in a while!

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