11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Have you ever had a rant at your mailing list?

by StingGB
10 replies
Here's the rub:

I have an opt in list of about 2,500, and growing. Each week I send them some valuable information. They join the list because they want this information, and I deliver. I have a open rate of about 40%, which is pretty good. At the bottom of each email, without being pushy, I invite them onto my $37 offer page, which sells quite well with random site visitors.

For some reason I can't sell Jack Sh*t to these people. I understand direct mail and percentages because I owned a physical list brokerage a few years ago. Forget 1%, I'd be happy with 3/1000. Sent 2,400 out 8 hours ago and not one friggin sale!

I'm thinking, should I send what I've written here to all of them. Ask them not necessarily to commit to a future sale, but at least to reply positively, and those that don't can f**k off. Point out that this costs me time and Chimp money to compile.

I've been on this forum long enough to know that several people will jump on my back big time about this post regarding respect for subscribers, and comments about freeloaders. But frankly I've had enough, list building can stink.
#hhave #list #mailing #rant
  • Profile picture of the author Michael D Forbes
    There seems to be a disconnect with the purpose they have for signing up to your list, and your desire to sell them something. I know that sounds horribly obvious, but I'm just suggesting that you review their probable motivation and see if your paid offer aligns with that at all.

    Also keep in mind that some offers just don't click with a list and others do. I have had mailings that totally bomb that I expected would be great, and vice versa. I'm guessing every list builder has experienced that to some degree.

    And no, I personally have never ranted to my list (it seems pretty disrespectful to my mind), but I have been on the receiving end of many marketers rants.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8127960].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author StingGB
      Hi Michael,

      There is a slight disconnect with my offer, but a pretty good link. A lot do need what I'm offering. In reality I'd expect 1/100 sales, or 3/1000 with a 40% open rate.

      These opt-ins have at least committed to some free information, I get 1/150 sales straight off my site. I don't understand why these opt-in's are worse.

      Bearing in mind what you said about being on the receiving end of several marketers rants I won't be doing that now, I want at least to be original.

      Brian.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8127980].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    It sounds to me like the issue is the way your list is being built. What are you offering these people to join your list? If it's free information then that's the type of people you are going to attract. It's not to say you can't convert some of them into buyers but it will take more time.

    Why not create a cheap offer and use that to build your list. By doing that you now can afford to advertise in more places and you can also offer affiliates 100% commissions to promote the offer for you and build you a list of buyers.

    Also, you said above that those who don't want to buy something can f off, this also comes into play. You are telling your list you want to help them but at the same time if they won't buy anything from you they can f off. Doesn't sound like your message is very congruent. People can smell you a mile away if you are not really being genuine.
    Signature

    .


    .

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8127988].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author StingGB
      Hi Will,

      Yes they are freebies, but that's why I'm only expecting to convert 3/1000. It's only $37, and plenty of people who visit my site buy it.

      Your second point is mute, I don't pay, never have, and will never will pay for advertising, all my traffic is organic.

      Your third paragraph: My subscribers have no idea that I'm on here ranting about them (different niche)

      You are highly respected on here Will. Any constructive advice on how to get these buggers to pay would be greatly appreciated.

      Regards, Brian.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8128020].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author WillR
        Originally Posted by StingGB View Post

        Your second point is mute, I don't pay and will never will pay for advertising, all my traffic is organic.
        That's a shame. You won't get very far if that's the case. What have you got against advertising? If you can spend $1 and make $2 would you not want to do that and would it not make sense?

        Without any form of advertising you are going to find it very hard to gain any traction and your business will always be built on a house of cards. Organic traffic is very unreliable in the long term.

        Originally Posted by StingGB View Post

        Your third paragraph: My subscribers have no idea that I'm on here ranting about them (different niche)
        I was not referring to the fact your subscribers know this or not. I was referring to the fact that this is your attitude. If someone doesn't want to buy from me they can f off. Yet at the same time you are probably giving free stuff away and giving people the impression you want to help them when in reality all you seem concerned about is the bottom dollar.

        If you are not genuine people can smell it a mile away. If you focus less on your bottom dollar and more on genuinely wanting to help people and adding value to other people's lives (without expecting anything in return) you will find you make a lot more sales and have a very loyal following.
        Signature

        .


        .

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8128034].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author StingGB
          Your second point is fair comment. But the question is: Am I a philanthropist or a businessman. I ask myself this question every day when I sift through and reply to my 70-100 emails

          Which I suppose brings me on to your first point. Having read my posts you probably have me down as a few hundred dollars a month merchant.

          It's not six figures, but somewhere in between. Which brings me back to my original question: Why is it all coming from my site when my list is supposed to be the panacea..

          Brian.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8128082].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JonP
    Are there other offers you can test with them to see if it's just a matter of your offer they aren't going for? You could try a few different offers and see if one of them catches on and if you find one then you can push the heck out of it. Might just come down to testing a few different products to your list and you'll find out what they really crave.
    Signature
    http://www.jonpeckham.com/
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8128120].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author StingGB
      Hi Jon,

      A while ago, when I had a lot less traffic, I sold a couple of other peoples products though the supposedly respected Clickbank. I checked back a few months later to find out why I hadn't been paid. Clickbank literally stole all the money I'd earned in fees because apparently I hadn't turned over enough sales for them during a pre-determined period. I wouldn't touch those scam merchants again if my life depended on it.

      Brian
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8128185].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
        Without more specifics, it's hard to say...

        Others have made a good point: is your offer congruent with what they signed up for?

        HOW are you offering it? You need to be building a relationship with that list AND making offers. That is, send out a weekly e-zine. In the e-zine, include your offer. Also send out solo mailings.

        Put a deadline on it. Offer bonuses.

        Also, take a look at your copywriting, both e-mail and sales page. Is it persuasive?

        There are a lot of moving parts to this and we don't know enough to make more specific suggestions. But you need to look at all of this.

        Hope this helps!

        Michelle
        Signature
        "You can't market here. This is a marketing discussion forum!"
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8128203].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author StingGB
          Hi Michelle,

          Your points are valid, but covered, honestly.

          My list goes out weekly, always with new and valuable info. I get good email feedback.

          My offer is relevant, and I emphasize something new, exclusive, and quite valuable in my newsletter each week.

          As for copywriting, well, one can always improve there. But my ebook sells quite well on my site, so it can't be all that bad.

          Somehow I just can't get these buggers to buy. Admittedly I know I get the odd one or two sales from my list. But I was working on in the future 3-4/1000 which would give me an additional $5000 a month per 10,000 opt-ins.

          You are right, I'm missing something somewhere, I just wish I could hurry up and work out what the heck it is!

          Brian.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8128258].message }}

Trending Topics