Comments on: You’d probably open this Mail…

By: Douglas Karr

Douglas Karr — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:05:47 +0000

Mike,

I’m not sure where I said it was an exciting marketing trend nor did I promote it. I don’t disagree with you, I was simply commenting on the technology – even admiring it. After all, I’m the idiot that got suckered.

Doug

By: Mike Schinkel

Mike Schinkel — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:55:06 +0000

While you see it as an exciting marketing trend, I see it as a pox. Techniques to trick people into paying attention are just not the kind of techniques I’m interested in employing. Sure they can be effective short-term, but I want people to pay attention to the quality of my brand and what I’m offering, not because some idiot got suckered into thinking I sent them a handwritten note. JWTCW.

By: Michael Katz

Michael Katz — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:39:28 +0000

If I were a betting man I’d have $10 on the Philippines as the outsourced location.

The next development would be for tracking devices that could be utilized to detect the envelope being opened, if it were opened by a male or female, the age of the person and how long before it was taken out with the trash.

By: Michelle Hartz

Michelle Hartz — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:51:16 +0000

So, how do we get that font? I can already think of one design I’d like to use it in…

(Yep, typical graphic designer response.)

By: Douglas Karr

Douglas Karr — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:17:14 +0000

One of my friends works on U-verse and he said that it’s very specific household targeting because of the bandwidth and the distance from the routing equipment. He told me literally your next door neighbor may have it but you might not. I think they’re working through the infrastructure issues at a neighborhood to neighborhood level. I’m probably in because I live in an apartment right now – high density!

By: Patric Welch

Patric Welch — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:49:05 +0000

Sure, I’ve been waiting for three months for the U-verse invite and you get it before me and don’t want it. Where’s the fairness in that?!? LOL.

By: Douglas Karr

Douglas Karr — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:17:32 +0000

Hi Willy,

Interestingly enough, I get very few ‘handwritten’ anything via snail-mail so your prediction is probably accurate.

As for outsourcing to India – with a burgeoning economy and a falling American dollar, India is becoming more expensive to outsource to – especially since many Indians are well educated (many times in the United States). India has done quite well for itself! I’m not sure they’d be the right prospect for this outsourcing, but I’m not doubting some other low income country could come to the table with that type of solution.

Thanks!
Doug

By: Willy

Willy — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:09:39 +0000

Just wait until consumers get savvy to this and start ignoring it. The next step will be for companies to outsource to letter writers in India. Your direct mail will actually be hand written. Things come full circle. Just wait.