Some People Are So Stupid - Urghh

by John Motson

Posted: 16 years ago 25 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Damn, I am so pissed off at the moment.

I have a mailing list (expired domains) which I have recently been converting into a domaining forum.

I use the mailing list ( since the aweber service is much more reliable than my forum mailing feature ) to notify folks that new lists have been posted on the forum which prompts people to go to the forum, sign up if they haven't already and log in to check the lists..

Simple right?

No.

People constantly keep trying to "log in" when they haven't registered for the free forum. Then they send me an email telling me they can't login.

Ok, that's fine. I keep putting in my newsletter that you have to register and that registration is free. I am also courteous to anyone that asks for help - like any normal webmaster.

Today I sent a different email out.

Here it is, word for word:

Hi Adm,

These last couple of days have been interesting to say the least. Big things
happening at DNXpert.

A couple of people are still confused though so I will try and explain:

1. I send this newsletter to notify of new list postings. It is the safest way for
me to make sure you get the notification since forum mailing can be unreliable.

2. You have to register on the DNXpert forum to see the lists. Registration
is free. If I can spend 1 hour to put together the free list, why can't you take
3 minutes to register?
DNXpert Domaining Forum - Forum Rules

3. I still post quality free lists on the forum. I can honestly claim that the lists
are quality as I am backed up by numerous forum members - ask them.
I bring these free lists to you so that you can utilize them and register some
good domain names.

4. If you don't want to register on the forum, and don't want to receive
these messages, please use the link at the bottom of this email to unsubscribe
I don't see a reason why we should waste each other's time. I am offering a free
service - free lists - and if you don't want them, noone is forcing them upon
you.

I fully understand any action you may take - either unsubscribe or register
at the forum, but I hope you understand where I am coming from too.

Now, for the people that enjoy the free lists, here are 65 expired domains
I found today:
DNXpert Domaining Forum

To Your Domaining Success and thanks for your time

John

Stern but fair right?

Well, a bunch of people unsubscribed, which is perfectly fine.

But one person really got to me.

This was his response on unsubscribing:

Name: M S
Email:
Signup Date: 05/20/08 12:14 PM Eastern

Comments:
You're a dumbass fag.

Here is what I replied with

That's very much uncalled for but reflects on the kind of homophobic person you are - perhaps you are reflecting on some inner fears you may have?

Thanks,

John

Anyways, I guess the lesson of the day is that some people are just stupid.

Comments? Was my mailout too harsh? Would you have unsubscribed if you got it in your inbox?

Thanks for letting me vent,

John

#people #stupid #urghh

KarlWarren

16 years ago

Hi John,

I think the sentiment was fair - but the tone, maybe not so.

It did come across as sarcastic, which, of course could be detrimental.
Good way to prune your list though

Thanks
1 reply

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John Motson

16 years ago

Originally Posted by KarlWarren

Hi John,

I think the sentiment was fair - but the tone, maybe not so.

It did come across as sarcastic, which, of course could be detrimental.
Good way to prune your list though

Actually, I did want to prune the list. I learned that from Paul Myers, I think he did it once. I think it's better to have a smaller responsive list - then a bloated list full of complainers.

Thanks
1 reply

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Alan Petersen

16 years ago

Hey John,

I'm on your list and when I read that email I did get the sense your were annoyed with the whiners. It did come through in the email but I don't think you were too harsh because you have been dealing with these type of folks for a while now. So you finally just drew a line in the sand. Register or unsubscribe. So it's not like that was your first email on this subject. So taking those factors in consideration I would say the email was fine.

Watching what you've been going through has been interesting (sorry). It just seems once you a get list of freebie seekers you have to go through some frustrations as you weed those losers out of your list.

Thanks
1 reply

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John Motson

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Alan Petersen

Hey Alan,

It's a momentary annoyance. Overall it has been a great experience with a lot of people, yourself included, valuing my service and contributing to the community that I am trying to create.

The email was intentional - get rid of people like the guy above - I have 0 need or tolerance for people that think insulting others is the way to go.

John

Thanks

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Veena 16 years ago

Well I would suggest to ignore some idiots that come along the way and move on with life, dont' get stuck there - think of those who register on your forum and do exactly as you want them to do

Good Luck and I like your idea to get members on your forum

thanks,
Veena
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Ernie Lo 16 years ago

LOL nice reply...

BUT

I don't know why you even bothered responding to him.

Occasional responses like that are quite normal...just ignore and move on.

Stress over important stuff, not idiots on your list.
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topher 16 years ago

I do not see anything wrong with your email. However, you should have ignored the idiot. Some people are just never grateful.
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- 1 reply
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- overseasplease 16 years ago
  
  You're a DAF...nah, just joshin'.
  
  It's your list, do as you please. I personally wouldn't even have replied to the gentleman above, even though he was out of line.
  
  I personally wouldn't have sent out the email either, just either ignored, or replied with "register first please"
  
  That being said...none of us are in your position. It's your list...do what you want, you've earned the right.
  
  Regards,
  
  Jason
  
  Thanks
  
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Stallion

16 years ago

What a moron! John, keep doing what you're doing. Your list is great. I was used to be on it, but unsubscribed. Not because it was bad, just couldn't keep up with the good content.

Thanks
1 reply

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John Motson

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Stallion

What a moron! John, keep doing what you're doing. Your list is great. I was used to be on it, but unsubscribed. Not because it was bad, just couldn't keep up with the good content.

That's perfectly cool with me. Domaining is not for everyone, the returns are great but it does demand a fair bit of your time.

John

Thanks
1 reply

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JohnMcCabe

16 years ago

I'm not on your list, but I think for your purpose the tone was just right. The people it was intended to reach will get their act together or leave. The rest will know it wasn't intended for them, or they'll let it go.

I don't understand that guy's insult, though...

Who calls someone a "mute donkey cigarette"? :p

Thanks
1 reply

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Kay King

16 years ago

John -

Might it be the difficulties are a reflection of that type of business? Anyone who has done domaining knows there's a bit more to it than just buying a domain and then selling it for a profit.

But the idea of easy "buy/sell" money attracts a lot of people - not necessarily always the best and brightest.

Didn't care for the letter much as I've never thought it was a good idea to send a rant letter to good subscribers in order to send a message to bad ones that don't matter anyway.

On your email sent after signing up for the list, maybe you need a statement in bold explaining what is required - or maybe you have one and they don't read it.

kay

Thanks
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jasonl70

16 years ago

Due to the persoalization, maybe this was a person who didn't realize this wasn't a personal email? Believe it or not, there's still a lot of people out there 'tricked' by personalization. Peope like that who think it's a personal email will in turn think the harshness was directed at them.

Originally Posted by Kay King

Didn't care for the letter much as I've never thought it was a good idea to send a rant letter to good subscribers in order to send a message to bad ones that don't matter anyway.

excellent point kay.

I just ignore these sorts of people.

Thanks

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-Jason

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jedz Banned 16 years ago

Do not waste your time to that moron. Cheer up!
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Carlsbadd 16 years ago

I have always been a fan of Johns list, I think half of my domian inventory is from it.
Sometimes you have to just tell people that you are not going to continue to duplicate your work and get over it.

I had no issue with the email, Just register and then check the forums, how hard is that?
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- adamv 16 years ago
  
  I agree with the people saying that the tone of the email could have been a little better but it was certainly fair and a good way to get some of the intellectually challenged to unsubscribe.
  
  As for the moron that sent you that comment, some people love to use the anonimity of the internet to be the A-holes they truly are inside. He can say something like that to you almost without consequence where as in a face to face discussion I doubt he would have the guts to say anything. He's just a keyboard tough guy and should be ignored.
  
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Rob D 16 years ago

Hi john, this may be a slightly silly question - but can't you tie the mail opt-in to the forum subscription? What exactly is the advantage of having someone sign up twice?
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GarrieWilson

16 years ago

Sorry BUT I'm going AGAINST the grain here.

It's YOUR fault that you have "whiners" because YOU are NOT clear that people must join a forum to get the list of domains.

Your site says:

Signed Up To The DNXpert Newsletter?
Get FREE Expired Domain Lists Via Email!

Now tell me where it says to sign up to be notified about new list postings?

Your blog post even says you EMAILED them to your list when infact, you did not.

Don't chastize your list when YOU are the one causing the problem to start with.

Be honest and open about what they will receive.

You worded it like that because if people know, they will ignore the list, join the forum and then subscribe to the topic.

Dont use tricks to get people on your list. If you want them on it, simply setup forum activation using aweber after people confirm.

Garrie

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John Motson

16 years ago

Originally Posted by GarrieWilson

Hi Garrie,

You are actually wrong. The forum was only launched 15 days ago. I have been sending lists via email for the past year (since November 2007) as people who posted on this thread will testify.

That page you saw was simply out of date - thanks for reminding me - I will go fix it now.

I have been timely in informing my subscribers about goings on in my mailings - the new followup also indicates what needs to be done.

Secondly, I wasn't chastising people about the issues they were having - as I said in my original post, I am more than happy to help and I am courteous in my responses when people don't understand what needs to be done.

The person who got me going is the one that chose to insult me.

Thanks
1 reply

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GarrieWilson

16 years ago

Originally Posted by John Motson

I only commented on what your telling people to entice them to join. Out dated or not.

Secondly, I wasn't chastising people about the issues they were having - as I said in my original post, I am more than happy to help and I am courteous in my responses when people don't understand what needs to be done.

Yes you was in the email you sent. You chastised people. Don't get me wrong - Ive done it before and will again.

The person who got me going is the one that chose to insult me.

Perphaps he thought you was doing the same with your email?

Thanks
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Ricter

16 years ago

Perfectly done, imho. You were firm but fair. And you took a moment to take a shot back at some cretin. There is almost always time for a quick counter-attack. Bravo all around!

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John Motson

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Ricter

Perfectly done, imho. You were firm but fair. And you took a moment to take a shot back at some cretin. There is almost always time for a quick counter-attack. Bravo all around!

To be honest a person who insults me for no real reason is in my opinion very likely to also steal my material and do other stupid crap - I am better off with him off my list.

Thanks
1 reply

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Ricter

16 years ago

Originally Posted by John Motson

To be honest a person who insults me for no real reason is in my opinion very likely to also steal my material and do other stupid crap - I am better off with him off my list.

"This business retains the right to refuse service to anyone."

"Also, you may get drilled, pal."

Thanks
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AndrewCavanagh 16 years ago

No with respect I think this email was really poor.

First it's confusing.

You don't tell your reader what the email is about or what action they should take in the first paragraph...that's just asking for trouble.

Second you actually come very close to insulting your subscribers by telling them:

"If I can spend 1 hour to put together the free list, why can't you take 3 minutes to register?"

It's kind of harsh but your subscribers don't care about the work you doing and they shouldn't.

What they want is to get their wants and needs filled in the simplest way possible.

I'm betting the confusion your list is experiencing is the result of you not making things crystal clear in previous emails.

Tell your subscribers to do one thing and tell them why they should do that.

And it pays to be polite all the time.

What you should be taking away from this is that the way you write your emails and give instructions to people is REALLY important.

If it's confusing in the least or if you're trying to tell people to do 2 things in one email then you'll have trouble.

It needs to be completely crystal clear...as you're discovering.

And no, they're not dumb.

It's just that your subscribers are thinking about other things when they're reading your emails and they simply don't have the energy to deciper what you're telling them.

Make it simple. Make it clear.

Keep in mind that they don't have the knowledge you have. If they did they wouldn't be on your list in the first place.

Not knowing as much as you or not having as much skill as you can make people appear like they're dumb but it's simply not the case.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
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Some People Are So Stupid - Urghh

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