How would you revive an old neglected email list?

by rmx
7 replies
I have several old email lists that I haven't emailed to for at least a year. Some of the emails are several years old.

I know that after that much time many emails have changed, people have forgotten about you, etc but I would like to see if I can re establish a relationship with them and at least get some of them to optin again to get them on a fresh list.

Any advice besides start emailing them again and offering them free and good content for awhile to build a trust?

Thanks, RMX
#email #list #neglected #revive
  • Profile picture of the author rmx
    Any ideas or suggestions?
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  • Profile picture of the author AidenTingley
    I would say clean out the list.

    Start a new list, email the old list asking them to join the new list?

    That way the people joining the new list you know will want to hear from you and they are still fresh...

    Just a thought though.

    - Aiden
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnnyPlan
    Offering anything at this point won't change the fact these people have been ignored so long. The line between your site and their trust was broken long ago. Just start over. So much easier than trying to revive a dead list where there is no interest.

    Conversely, if you decide to resuscitate this list anyway, approach with information not cheap downloads.

    Restart the list on the original autoresponder series (that they signed up for) and see who unsubscribes.

    Anyone that sticks around likely is not opening the emails or does not object.

    Look for open rates.

    Clean up the list of bounced emails.

    Then start the long process of re-establishing trust. This will take time and once gained, you can't just leave them and expect to rinse/repeat the process again. Send useful tips related to the product/site/niche. Even one tip a day is better than never talking to them. Ask for feedback from these people.

    Don't expect an instant connection.

    Best of luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author stackz9front
    I would put the subscribers that arent converting into a separate database from my main one. A month or two after I put them in separate database, I would email them and try to get them to convert into sales again. I would then import the ones that convert back into my main database and permanently delete the rest of them. I would continuously repeat the cycle
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  • Profile picture of the author davereineke
    The first thing I would want to know is how responsive is the list...

    Then based on that start emailing with Free Good quality stuff. Don't sell anything yet.

    Then after a month or 2 start sending the emails to downloadable Ebooks with a new optin page to start fishing out the dead emails from the alive ones.

    Never throw those emails away, unless you get no response over a year with emailing them. A list is realistate really and sometimes the subscribers comeback

    Just my thoughts
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    • Profile picture of the author GregAU
      I'd send them a couple of free gifts, a few value emails, and most importantly...

      I would ask them questions in several of those emails.

      For example: Hey, I'm sorry I have not mailed for so long, XYZ happened. I'm now back on track... I could do a thousand different things for my subscribers now that I'm back.. But I wanted to reach out and check with you. What are YOU interested in? What are you struggling with? What can I help you with?

      That sort of stuff. I've normally got responses from them, which then kick starts the list again.
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  • Profile picture of the author Franck Silvestre
    If they are your buyers, I'd import them in an autoresponder that doesn't require confirmation and send them a couple of emails, then, the ones who click or buy, I'd segment them on a new list, and delete the remaining.

    If it's a freebie list (no buyers), I wouldn't bother importing it.

    Franck
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