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...And At The End Of Your Lists Are...

by Steven Fullman
6 replies
...Real People...

I had an unsubscribe last night. The guy was generous enough to share his reason with me:

"Your zip file didn't work with my version of windows"

As soon as I saw his message, I sent him my book unzipped.

His reply, and I quote:

"Wow, thanks. I'll resubscribe."

He did, too.

Everyone says "The money's in the list"...

That's bull.

The money is in connecting with your list...helping them..giving them a reason to stay...dare I say it, befriending them.

Maybe it gets tougher when you have 100,000+ subscibers...but that's NO excuse. If Paul & Willie can answer personally, I'm damn sure I can.

Steve
#end #lists
  • Profile picture of the author Alan Petersen
    That is so true. Building a relationship with your list is just as important as just building it. A huge list that won't open your emails is pretty useless.

    I would think that once I get to the 50,000+ type of list sure it gets harder but then I should be able to afford a VA to manage things like that so they can let me know and I can respond.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Steve,

    You are absolutely right, and identified one of my weak points (I assume).

    I don't have the largest list in the world, but I can sometimes sense that I am not making a connection.

    The feedback I do get is usually very positive, so I think the information I send them is good. However (and this is just an example), I recently sent out a simple survey and received an alarmingly low number of responses - 0 to be exact. To me that says I need to improve something, be more of a friend or associate, and not just the "guy who sends really good emails". I wish I knew what the problem was, because I really do want to make things even better for my subscribers.

    Anyway, your words ring very true in my ears. Thanks.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    "Ich bin en fuego!"
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    • Profile picture of the author cshilling22
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      The feedback I do get is usually very positive, so I think the information I send them is good. However (and this is just an example), I recently sent out a simple survey and received an alarmingly low number of responses - 0 to be exact.
      A lot of people do not like to fill out surveys. Or a lot of times they will open the e-mail, see the survey, not have time to fill it out at the time thinking they will get to it later, and then forget about it and never get back to it. It probably would be better if you offered something they might value for free if they return the survey in a certain period of time. This will make completing the survey valuable to them instead of just something extra to do. At the same time stress how thankful and appreciative you are that they are taking time out of their busy day to help you. This might improve your completion rate.

      As far as connecting and building a relationship I know that offline the best way to connect with someone is to take a personal interest in them. Maybe you can find a way to do this with your list members online. Then you can open up a one on one dialogue with them or maybe provide them with information relevant to their personal situation or interests. Or even just encourage them in your mass e-mails to contact you if they need anything. If they contact you and you respond that is a great way to start a conversation that will create a lasting relationship. This is how I have connected with people who I have subscribed with.

      Just trying to offer some help from a different perspective. If you are already implementing these strategies sorry!
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      • Profile picture of the author Sandor Verebi
        - Great thread, Steven, as usual.

        Everything is all about relationship between you and your customers. There is an old Chinese saying: "Do not open a business if you cannot smile."

        I know from my experience that the smile is necessary, but it does not burn merely to selling. The good product in demand, an efficient follow up and a well organized customer service what I realized in your story. And the prompt threating is excellent. I believe it, your customers would go through fire and water for you.

        - Michael, I see that you can smile so IMHO there is not a big problem with you.

        You make surveys because you want to see if your customers are satisfied with your products or services, or know if they enjoyed their visit at your web site, or see on which way they arrived to your site. By knowing this type of important information you can improve your web site, products/services, advertising, and marketing.

        Let me share with you what I experienced. These 3 reason were the main early.

        - Some did think it's to hard to navigate through my web site.
        - Some did think that he'll come back later to fill the survey but forgot it.
        - Sometimes people don't want to take the time to fill out a survey at all.

        My solution were what I learned: I encouraged them to fill the survey by offering freebies, such as free ebook, report, script, application, etc. So for example you can hold a free online contest or sweepstakes and ask visitors to fill out a survey before they enter. And the prizes may be the former.

        I'm sure that you know these techniques. But I also know that we are forgetful in our everyday life. So for this reason it is advantageous that when we make our plan, we establish a proper staps to handle the aboved problems. (NO, I did not invent the warm water. I just apply it.

        Have a nice day,

        Sandor
        _______________
        "The secret of having been on the water it, we need to know where the stones are."(Herb Cohen)
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