S01 E01: Kurt Elster - Creating Genuine Connections Through Email

Want to know how a struggling consultant started an email newsletter and went on to achieve runaway success? Today on the show Bryan Kelly interviews Kurt Elster who is a leading Shopify expert and podcaster who used email to turn his dwindling career into a thriving one! Brennan Dunn is the guy who helped Kurt to adopt a personal and engaging approach to his audience, helping him to foster a deep connection with the people on his email list. In this episode, Kurt talks about creating mass emails that read like a note from a friend rather than a desperate sales pitch—because building relationships is everything. No one likes being sold to but everyone welcomes those who are interested in helping them solve their problems and add a ton of value long before asking for anything in return. While email has been on the block for a while, this marketing strategy is far from tired. Be sure to tune in to learn all the benefits of email lists and the what, why, and how of sending effective emails! 

Key Points From This Episode:

Why Kurt was drawn to plain text emails that rely on marketing automation. How certain mass emails manage to feel personal and build relationships and trust. Understanding that no one likes being sold to.The advantage that email has over many other forms of marketing. Hear what life was like for Kurt before he discovered the power of email. All the ways you can use an email list to take your business to the next level.The most crucial piece of advice: give more value than you take.  Learn how many times you have to appear in someone’s inbox before they pay attention. The evidence that, while email is old, it is still the best-converting strategy for e-commerce. Why being consistent and sticking to a schedule is non-negotiable.  Advice for making the most of the unique opportunities with new subscribers. 

Tweetables:

“I’d get an email from someone and you’re building this relationship where they are emailing thousands of people but on the receiving end it really feels like, when done right, they’re talking to you.” — @kurtinc [0:01:54]

“No one wants to be sold to. I don’t want to be sold to….No one else wants it either. There may be a handful of weirdos who are like, ‘Yeah, sell to me.’ Most people absolutely do not want that.” — @kurtinc [0:03:24]

“Looking at my e-commerce clients, email, for a lot of them, drives 70% of their revenue.” — @kurtinc [0:13:31] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:ww

Kurt Elster

Kurt Elster on Twitter

Shopify

Brennan Dunn 

Harley Finkelstein on Twitter

rasa.io

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