In this, the final post in the mini series of Q&A posts, I wanted to have a look at a question that related to long term success, namely:
‘How do I keep subscribers from unsubscribing?’
When I really thought about this, I realised that some of my answer may very well surprise some of you.
The thing is I DON’T want to keep everyone.
Yep, you read that right, I don’t go out of my way to keep everyone that subscribes to my list.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t actively do anything to deliberately rub people up the wrong way…
…however what I do try to do is be as ‘me’ as I can be.
I want to be the same guy that my mates go out running with, or down the pub with.
Be the real me.
I have seen so many marketers who are obviously trying to fit the image of what they believe a marketer should be…
…and it all sounds horribly false.
Whatever people think of me, I want it to be a judgement on the real me, rather than a manufactured version of me.
I recognise that whenever you have real opinions, there will be others who have exactly the opposite opinion.
This means I WILL lose subscribers by being me.
But it will also mean that those that stick around will tend to be ‘on my wavelength’ and therefore tend to be round for the long term.
Not only that, but because they relate to what I say they will be more likely to check out the products and services I suggest or offer.
I don’t try to be all things to all men. I just try to be me.
And I like to think that in terms of my list I focus on quality rather than quantity.
I focus on the quality of the relationship with my subscribers rather than fixating on just the number of subscribers I have got signed up.
So with that in mind, what things do I do to keep people subscribed.
Here are a few of the main things summarised below:
– Let them know about me, my background, my interests, who I am as soon as humanly possible. Become a person rather than just another marketer.
– Start sending mails from day one. If you have been on my list for any length of time you will know I will send regular emails. This is to build that relationship and also get you in the habit of expecting a mail from me. You would be amazed how ‘unsubscribes’ go up the first mail you send after a period of not sending.
– Only recommend products and services if there is merit in the offer that will help or interest your subscribers.
– Write to your list as if it is one individual rather than just a ‘list’.
So there you go, my answer to keeping subscribers, is don’t try too hard as you want to focus on quality not quantity and treat your subscribers with respect.
As usual this stuff isn’t rocket science but hopefully even if you are doing this already it confirms that you are doing the right thing.
And as we know, do enough of the right things for long enough and you are bound to have success.
Well I hope you have at least found something over the past few posts that has helped you in your desire for success online.
If you have found it useful, let me know and perhaps even send me your question and I’ll do it again in the near future.
