25 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
25 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Question - Does it Hurt your feelings when people unsubscribe from your list...

by John Durham
20 replies
Does it kinda make you feel bad, or should you just expect that and move on...what is the expected retention rate?
#feelings #gurt #list #people #question #unsubscribe
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Morgan
    Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

    Does it kinda make you feel bad, or should you just expect that and move on...what is the expected retention rate?
    Yes, it hurts so much that it makes me feel suicidal , infact i feel like jumping into a river sometimes (taking my computer with me).

    lol joking.

    Naa it doesn't bother me, it is just another part of the process, it happens,

    accept it and move on... I do.

    but it is worth asking them the reason why they unsubscribed so you can improve your marketing and reduce the unsubscribe rate.
    Signature
    -> [FREE WSO 1] Discover 77 FREE Ways To Generate Traffic!
    -> [FREE WSO 2] Discover 67 Killer Traffic Methods Which Will Crush Your Competition!
    -> [FREE WSO 3] Discover 77 Amazing Blogging Tips To Explode Your Profits!

    ...…..Now LISTEN CAREFULLY! ===> [WSO REPORTS 4, 5, 6 are >> Found Here]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772895].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author noobjet
    Well I'm pretty green, but I want to build an email list for sure. I think it would hurt my feelings, if I had any.

    I can't answer your technical question, but if you have alot of people unsubscribing I'd suggest softening up your sale for now. Build the relationship, give them something they really want to read, make them want to open your email. You will probably make less money in the short term, but keeping them on your list and in tune to what you are sending them is MUCH more valuable than the quick hard sale or two you make before they unsubscribe and are lost forever.

    That's just my opinion, but that's what I've surmised from reading bunches on email marketing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772903].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

    Does it kinda make you feel bad, or should you just expect that and move on...what is the expected retention rate?
    People unsubscribe for different reasons and it's to be
    expected in list building.

    I actually think that the goal of a list owner should be to
    INCREASE (yes increase) unsubscribe rates slightly.

    Why?

    Because if you're not getting some people to unsubscribe
    then you're likely putting out a wishy-washy message
    that's trying to please everybody.

    Instead, give out a strong point of view and repel those
    who don't resonate with it - and keep more of those who
    DO want to hear your message.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
    Signature

    .

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772906].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      People unsubscribe for different reasons and it's to be
      expected in list building.

      I actually think that the goal of a list owner should be to
      INCREASE (yes increase) unsubscribe rates slightly.

      Why?

      Because if you're not getting some people to unsubscribe
      then you're likely putting out a wishy-washy message
      that's trying to please everybody.

      Instead, give out a strong point of view and repel those
      who don't resonate with it - and keep more of those who
      DO want to hear your message.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      Wow. Thanks Shaun The List King Has spoken.

      Are you suggesting that we arent selling hard enough, as I read somewhere else in a post around here?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772911].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Wow. Thanks Mike. The List King Has spoken.

        Are you suggesting that we arent selling hard enough, as I read somewhere else in a post around here?
        I'm not talking about 'selling hard enough' at all.

        In fact, I detest hard selling, ball breaking list owners.

        I'm talking about having a clear marketing message and
        a strong personality that either gets people to become
        attracted to you - or repelled away from you.

        This is how you build stronger relationships and bonds
        with people on your list.

        Too many list owners make the mistake of trying to
        please everybody and they end up pleasing hardly
        anybody.

        If you're too careful, you can end up having a list
        that's in a kind of no mans land where they don't
        respond either way - they can't even be arsed
        enough to unsubscribe.

        We're in the direct RESPONSE business so we want
        to do things that generate a reaction in people.

        Dedicated to mutual success,

        Shaun
        Signature

        .

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772932].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author entry
          Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

          I'm not talking about 'selling hard enough' at all.

          In fact, I detest hard selling, ball breaking list owners.

          I'm talking about having a clear marketing message and
          a strong personality that either gets people to become
          attracted to you - or repelled away from you.

          This is how you build stronger relationships and bonds
          with people on your list.

          Too many list owners make the mistake of trying to
          please everybody and they end up pleasing hardly
          anybody.

          If you're too careful, you can end up having a list
          that's in a kind of no mans land where they don't
          respond either way - they can't even be arsed
          enough to unsubscribe.

          We're in the direct RESPONSE business so we want
          to do things that generate a reaction in people.

          Dedicated to mutual success,

          Shaun
          Cheers for the gud tipz, as always.

          Do you have courses on this email marketing, the way you do it? or ebooks? that you have created by youself?

          Signature
          I Have to say a Massive...THANK YOU to every Warrior who has helped me, and thanks to every warrior who helps me in the future...
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772983].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
    John, the first time I had an unsubscribe I was miffed, but I got over it in a few minutes. Funny thing though, I can still remember his name! Go figure.

    After that, no more feelings about it. Not many do unsubscribe, but for those who do I just go into Aweber and clean them out so I don't get charged for having those names in my lists.

    It's no big deal.

    :-Don
    Signature

    Studies prove happier people have massively more success. It has worked for me. Use this one trick too... Click Here

    Total Competition Stomper - Simply the most powerful tactic your IM or Offline business will ever use... See it here!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772928].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Indeed Shaun, wow, great advice.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772948].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    It doesn't hurt my feelings at all.

    The person who has unsubscribed has simply stepped aside to let someone who wants to be on my list occupy that spot on my list.
    Signature
    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4772973].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Isaiah Jackson
      No it does not hurt my feelings, seems to me they are the ones at lost will all the super cool content I give out :-)
      Signature
      Send Emails, Get Paid - My business summarized in four words. For the how-to go here
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773767].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Suthan M
    Unsubscribe happens.

    We just have to move on.

    In fact, from time to time, I delete the unsub list from my Aweber.. Kinda wasting to pay for a list that I can't mail to.
    Signature

    Whats the latest movie you watched? Anything good?

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773220].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author mogulmap
      No it doesn't hurt my feelings, its simply business and expected. I would much rather have a small list of action takers rather then a large list of tire kickers. The quality of the subscribers is much more important then the size.
      Signature
      Rus Sells says...
      Your signature is all that matters!
      and
      Cat's = PROFIT"S
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773265].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Big Al
    I don't let it bother me and agree with Shaun (although it took some effort to shift my mindset to that).

    Sometimes I'll go back and have a read of the email just to see if I could've written the email better (eg. added more value to subscribers) or what I can do better in the future.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773308].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author David Ogden
    I am usually quite happy when some one unsubscribes, because it usually means the mission has been accomplished. Whilst I do send some long series of autoresponder messages to lists, I do not market multiple products, they either buy unsubscribe or continue getting messages until they die. I have not got time to feel worried or hurt.
    Signature

    David Ogden an Entrepreneur at Markethive which uses a suite of free marketing tools to promote his opportunity. Contact:- Telegram @davidogden

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773312].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author brianboyer
    I don't really mind if people unsubscribe because I always know that more people will join again and the list will continue to grow. No worries.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773354].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      I agree with Shaun. My message is always direct, to the point and, at times,
      very blunt. In fact, I've often told my list that if they're looking for a push
      button solution to things that they're wasting their time on my list.

      After those messages, it's when I get the most opt outs.

      Doesn't bother me in the least. I want nothing to do with people looking for
      a handout or an easy ride.

      And in spite of it all, my list is still a considerable size. Of course a lot of that
      has to do with the fact that I get opt ins regularly. I honestly don't know what
      the retention is and don't care. I have a few folks who have been with me for
      a long time. THEY get it and that's all that matters.

      The rest...whatever.

      Can't be bothered.

      Bottom line: People who opt out don't take more than a second of my time
      to delete the email telling me that they opted out.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773380].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JSThompson
    In a way yes. It hurts my wallet which hurts my feelings.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773388].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ezbiz
    People that un-subscribe actually help you maintain a cleaner list for 2 good reasons. 1. Helps rid those who are not really interested and saves on mailing bandwidth. 2. I'd rather them opt-out opposed to hitting the spam button that adds strikes against you're IP sender score.
    Signature
    Build Instant Mobile Sites with MyMobi Builder - Easy As WordPress
    Mobile Website Builder
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773394].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dan Riffle
    It depends on perspective.

    To piggyback on Shaun's comments, when I first started out (eons ago) I watched every word very carefully. Yes, every word. My subscriber count was more important to me than results. The last thing I wanted to do was offend anyone.

    It would drive me nuts when someone unsubscribed because I just couldn't understand what I did to tick them off. I mean, I was doing everything I could to be "offensively neutral," right? Why would they want to leave?

    I eventually came to terms with people leaving my list. However, I couldn't get comfortable with the writing style. It just wasn't my voice. I decided, the hell with it, I'm just going to be me. Unsubs be damned.

    Guess what? My unsubs went UP! Yep, people left, not quite in droves, but at a significantly higher rate.

    But...

    My list became much more responsive. Eventually, I morphed it into a highly interactive list with loyal subscribers. Sales went through the roof and several subscribers actually sent me wedding presents. Seriously.

    My advice? Forget about folks who unsubscribe, concern yourself with getting new people on your list and be yourself, whoever that is. You are certainly a perfectly unique individual, but there are people out there just as screwy as you are -- and those people want to hear your opinion, your slant on things -- your voice.
    Signature

    Raising a child is akin to knowing you're getting fired in 18 years and having to train your replacement without actively sabotaging them.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4773758].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Brandon Mack
    Hi John,

    Makes me feel bad then almost instantly make me ask why has it happened? The severity of feeling bad bit depends on the numbers I see leaving as I expect new clients to be added and also expect some to unsubscribe I see it is a natural process that you will have gains and that you will have losses.

    But I always ask the question why and what do I need to do to reduce the frequency, especially when I believe that I offer value, not everything going out is buy buy buy!

    Regards
    Jack
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4775616].message }}

Trending Topics