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Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

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Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#61

Post by leephillips »

Izkata wrote: post #55
leephillips wrote: post #4

I disagree with the premise of the article: “Every SaaS company must start their onboarding sequences with a welcome message that is sent when a user joins the platform. This is a must by now, since everyone who signs up will expect some sort of confirmation of their transaction.” These emails invariably waste my time. They repeat what the website already told me when I signed up. If I sign up for your SaaS, I expect…

Some sort of email is absolutely necessary though. Preferably confirmation before creating the account, but I know of several that do this instead of confirmation - because someone else used my email address.

Yes, the conventional pattern seems to be a short email confirming your address and your intention to sign up, followed by the longer “onboarding” email after you confirm. Some commenters here are saying that these are the same thing and that I’m wrong. But it’s the onboarding email that I’m saying is superfluous, not the confirmation email.

Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#62

Post by OCISLY »

scintill76 wrote: post #56
OCISLY wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good point. If someone sends you valuable information, he don't have to try to steal your attention with such cheap tricks.

Counterpoint: eBay order updates use emoji in the subject. I don’t necessarily like it, but it could be considered important email.

I don't use eBay, so I don't know how these mails looks, but I bet they treat it as a marketing opportunity.

Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#63

Post by pau_alcala »

bonoboTP wrote: post #54

I really hate these cheesy lines that are "excellent" according to the article, like: - "You had enough fluff marketing content and so did we. So the absofreakinlutely BEST thing you could do right now..." - "Writing this from my couch at home, hoping to find you safe and well at yours. It's been a busy summer! I wanted to share more about out 2.9 release..." No, just no. Leave me alone, we aren't friends, you did no…

This is a great insight, our users are mostly american and they are pretty receptive to cheesy lines. I personally smile even though I know it's automated, just appreciate the creativity i guess? But I hadn't really thought about how these would sound for european readers. Will definitely keep that in mind

Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#64

Post by eatingCake »

bonoboTP wrote: post #54

I really hate these cheesy lines that are "excellent" according to the article, like: - "You had enough fluff marketing content and so did we. So the absofreakinlutely BEST thing you could do right now..." - "Writing this from my couch at home, hoping to find you safe and well at yours. It's been a busy summer! I wanted to share more about out 2.9 release..." No, just no. Leave me alone, we aren't friends, you did no…

> Perhaps American culture is more receptive to this

As an American I don't think people like corporations feigning social intimacy either.

Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#65

Post by TedDoesntTalk »

pau_alcala wrote: post #63
bonoboTP wrote: post #54

I really hate these cheesy lines that are "excellent" according to the article, like: - "You had enough fluff marketing content and so did we. So the absofreakinlutely BEST thing you could do right now..." - "Writing this from my couch at home, hoping to find you safe and well at yours. It's been a busy summer! I wanted to share more about out 2.9 release..." No, just no. Leave me alone, we aren't friends, you did no…

This is a great insight, our users are mostly american and they are pretty receptive to cheesy lines. I personally smile even though I know it's automated, just appreciate the creativity i guess? But I hadn't really thought about how these would sound for european readers. Will definitely keep that in mind

I'm American and agree with the GP 110%. If I get an email like that, not only do I delete it, but I'm less likely to read your future emails.

I think it is a California-centric "it's all good" vibe. Not all of America has California culture.

Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#66

Post by xapata »

bonoboTP wrote: post #54

I really hate these cheesy lines that are "excellent" according to the article, like: - "You had enough fluff marketing content and so did we. So the absofreakinlutely BEST thing you could do right now..." - "Writing this from my couch at home, hoping to find you safe and well at yours. It's been a busy summer! I wanted to share more about out 2.9 release..." No, just no. Leave me alone, we aren't friends, you did no…

That's American business culture. You are expected to be fake happy.

Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#68

Post by tomrod »

xapata wrote: post #66
bonoboTP wrote: post #54

I really hate these cheesy lines that are "excellent" according to the article, like: - "You had enough fluff marketing content and so did we. So the absofreakinlutely BEST thing you could do right now..." - "Writing this from my couch at home, hoping to find you safe and well at yours. It's been a busy summer! I wanted to share more about out 2.9 release..." No, just no. Leave me alone, we aren't friends, you did no…

That's American business culture. You are expected to be fake happy.

It is exhausting.

To be fair to the article writer, I too write for non-technical audiences with the idea that they are sitting next to me and we are having a friendly conversation. It helps the writer's block.

Re: Lessons learned from onboarding emails with no HTML styling

#70

Post by astrobe_ »

bonoboTP wrote: post #54

I really hate these cheesy lines that are "excellent" according to the article, like: - "You had enough fluff marketing content and so did we. So the absofreakinlutely BEST thing you could do right now..." - "Writing this from my couch at home, hoping to find you safe and well at yours. It's been a busy summer! I wanted to share more about out 2.9 release..." No, just no. Leave me alone, we aren't friends, you did no…

Yep. We say "too polite to be honest" but "too friendly to be honest" works for me too.
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