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XpertTip No.95: Data disasters

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Last week I received a pretty nice email from CVS Pharmacy explaining how easy it would be to transfer my prescriptions online.

It was well-designed, with a nice graphic and very clear call to action. It even had a coupon at the bottom offering me $5 off my next purchase. Score.

One major problem: I’m already a CVS customer! I’ve been getting my prescriptions filled there for at least a decade.

Naturally, I was annoyed. I felt taken advantage of — just another name and email address on some list somewhere. Didn’t these people care that I’d been a long-time client? A loyal customer? Who the heck is in charge of this operation? Do they ...

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Categories: Data, Database Fields, Email, Email Campaign Ideas, Experience Economy Stuff

XpertTip No. 24: Enhance your efforts this year

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Well, for most of us, it’s back to school time. In the midst of planning travel schedules and going to meetings, don’t forget your friends at TargetX. Fall is the perfect time to do some housekeeping with us or get some ideas for new initiatives.

I’ve compiled a list that should help you prepare to head into another year of recruiting. As a TargetX client, have you thought about:

  • Scheduling training for any new staff members?
  • Printing out copies of my “Top 10 XpertTips for Student Bloggers” to use for blog training?
  • Sending me drafts of email messages to look over?
  • Adding/Subtracting bloggers?
  • Talking to Jeff Kallay, TargetX’s Experience Evangelist, about a campus visit audit?
  • Modifying ...
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Categories: Best Practice Documents, Blogs, Chat, Client Concierge, Database Fields, Email, Email Campaign Ideas, eXpressNet

XpertTip No.15: Automate your uploads

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This week’s tip continues our conversation on data management (I know, I know, try to contain your excitement;) We can talk about something more fun and exciting next week — but for now, we’ve got to talk data. (Didn’t you learn about eating your veggies before you can have dessert?)

Managing your data is probably the most important subject I can help with, as it sets the foundation for all successful marketing efforts.

So let me introduce today’s focus: XML, or Extensible Markup Language. It could just change the way your office operates completely (and for the better).

If you’re not familiar, XML is the language that facilitates moving data across different information systems (eliminating the need for manual imports and exports). Think ...

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Categories: Data, Database Fields

XpertTip No.14: Avoid GIGO — update your database fields

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When it comes to database management, no saying rings truer than “garbage in garbage out” (or “GIGO” as I like to say;)

Avoid GIGO syndrome and take a moment to review the fields in your database this summer. Are they accurate and current? Do you have extra fields that you never use for sending email? Keeping a tight list of the specific fields you use will keep your data clean and save time when scheduling your next broadcast.

Don’t forget to update the values for your fields as well. Whether you have a new counselor on staff or a brand new major, make sure these changes are made if they are part of your database structure (and while you’re at it, change ...

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Categories: Data, Database Fields, Summer Projects