Improve Response Rate

[dsinger]

Hi fellow Mozzers,

I have recently been trying to earn new links for my company websites by appealing to local public libraries that line up with our geographic footprint.  We have store locations in 569 city, state combinations, so I am finding the local library for each city, state and asking them to add us to their website as a community reference for child care.  Here is my pitch email that I am sending out....

Hi There,

_ I hope this email finds you in good health and good spirits. _

My name is XXXXX and I represent <insert company="" name="">.  I am reaching out to local libraries in the cities and counties where our schools are located in an effort to request local support for our schools.  Many libraries across the country have reached out to us asking for parent resources and child care options in their local city.  I would like to extend the same value to you.</insert>

_ I would love to have our school in <insert city="" name="">be considered for placement on your public library site found at <insert target="" website="" url="">.  With ample parent resources and child related materials, our school would be a great fit for your local community.  We have many great parenting articles, blogs and local child care options in <insert city="" name="">.</insert></insert></insert>_

Our local school website can be found at :

Our parent resource section can be found at:

Who do you suggest I speak with regarding earning a placement on your site?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

So far I have a response rate of about 1% and of those that do respond, none are willing to add a link on their site in any capacity since our company is privately held and not a public school option.  Can anyone suggest either a better way to approach link earning on a city by city basis or help me improve my current initial email to get a better response?

I really appreciate it!

p.s.... some of my other link targets are city run websites, local chamber of commerce chapters (suspect this will be hard since most require a paid membership), local public school sites, and keyword targeted lists such as "child care in phoenix, az" to see what sites come for each term.  Advice on these and anything I may be missing would be of great value.

[George.Fanucci]

1% response rate is much lower than I would have expected from public libraries. Have your respondents given you any feedback?

A more personal approach may have much better results. You could have your local staff ask a parent to visit the library and speak to someone in authority, starting with the reference desk, who are usually very helpful. Ask the parent to get the name of a person who has authority to add this type of content to the library's website, and approach them directly. That may even be the library reference desk staff. Give the parent a briefing and something to deliver to the library staff.

The library may be more responsive to a library patron, a local parent, who would recommend your services.

[dsinger]

only feedback trend that I am getting is that because they are a public institution, they are unable to endorse or promote any private company or school.  It would be seen as a conflict of interest for their public school options.

[CommT]

Good call George.