If you have been list building for any period of time, I am sure you would have experience one (or unless you are the most perfect internet marketer many) people unsubscribe from your list.
How do you handle list unsubscribers?
If you are anything like me, your list subscribers are like your family. You treat them well and really want them to like you! That is why it is hard to not take it personally when a lead unsubscribes from your list. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, there are few things that you can do.
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Don’t Take It Personally
If someone is unsubscribing from your list, it usually means that they are not interested in what you are talking about. That means that they would never be a profitable lead anyway. So technically, them unsubscribing is helping you to have a clean email list!Now we have got your emotions out of the way, it is time to use your unsubscribers to perfect your list!
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Take Note Of Their Feedback
I am not sure with other mailing list software, but with Aweber when a person unsubscribes they are given the option to leave feedback on why they unsubscribed (and they usually do
).So make the most of it. While you probably just caught most of them on a bad day, so definitely filter their comments, they told you why they subscribed so it is now your turn to do something with it.
Usually their comments will fall under 3 categories.
- ‘I’m Tired Of Getting SPAMMED’
When you receive this comment. It usually means that they are not the type of subscriber that you want. If your emails are personal and are not trying to be ‘over salesy’ I would just disregard this comment and move on.However, if you are continuing to get this response from your list unsubscribers, I would definitely look over the way that you have structured your list strategy. - ‘Your Information Is Now Longer Relevant’
This could mean exactly what it says, or it could mean that YOU have changed. Are you still providing the answers to the same questions they wanted answered at the beginning, or have you changed your lists course?People will sign up to your list because you promise answers to the questions. As soon as they find their answers or you fail to provide solutions -you run the risk of losing them as subscribers.
- ‘Subscribed To Too Many Lists’
The questions I always ask myself when I get this email is, ‘Why did they unsubscribe from my list?’If they wanted to trim back the mailing lists they were subscribed to, what was I doing wrong to not make the cut? The answers is always that another mailing list was proving better answers to their questions then I was.
- ‘I’m Tired Of Getting SPAMMED’
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Ask Your Subscribers What THEY Want
The funny thing with marketing, is that as marketers we believe we have all the answers. We think that our lists want the information that we send them – BUT have we ever stopped and asked them?What if we actually took the time to find out exactly what our list wanted?
Wouldn’t that help us infinitely? Wouldn’t that make our lists much more profitable? Because we would know exactly what they wanted, meaning we could provide the products that would answer their needs.
But What If A Lot Of People Are Unsubscribing?
There can be a lot of reasons for this, but it always comes back with you not providing what they are looking for.
This could mean that your ‘bribe’ is not effective – as people are just subscribing for your gift and unsubscribing once they have it (easily fixed with changing your bribe to an e-course).
Or maybe the bribe that you are using is not related to the content and offers that you are sending in your emails. Of course a lot of people would unsubscribe if you are offering a free blog theme as incentive to subscribe, and then your emails are all about how to get the opposite sex to like you. Your bribes have to be related to your niche.
The important thing to remember is to not stress about people unsubscribing – it is a normal part of list building and management. Instead try to learn from your unsubscribers, or better yet, learn from your subscribers while they are still your subscribers!
Don’t forget to ‘Build That List!’
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it is part of list building that many will unsubscribe. The most important thing to remember is to learn where we made our shortcomings and do something about it. The path to success has many challenges, we must not allow our self to be swayed unfavorable events, instead, we should look for opportunities behind it.
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That is exactly it. We just need learn from our unsubscribers and then move on.
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Yap we have to treat all subscribers in very decent way.
Tech Maish´s last blog ..How to Add Signature Under Blogger and WordPress Post
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Of course! Your list is full of people, and all people deserve respect and to be treated right.
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Until now , i have a record of only one subscriber who unsubscribed from my feed, i personally sent him a mail, thanking him for subscribing till that time and requested him the reason why he unsubscribed. But he dint reply …. Strange .!!
Ramkumar´s last blog ..Incredimail Vs Outlook
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These are good suggestions and i also recommend everyone to ask their readers why they unsubscribe. Unfortunately a majority of my readers never answer the question and they often only subscribe for a short while. My theory is that it wasn’t what they were expecting.
Stefan´s last blog ..New Design for 2010
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@Stefan – That is true. A lot do not give a reason for leaving and there is really nothing that we can do about it. I guess the best we can do is listen to those who do give us a reason.
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I have had a few people unsubscribe from various lists, but I was just wondering – where in our account do we view whether they left feedback or not?
Ruth – Web Career Girl´s last blog ..Small Weekly Tasks Can Really Add Up When It Comes to Passive Income
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Yeah, I think the first time someone unsubscribed from one of my lists, I think my heart sank pretty bad that day. Thankfully, just as I was about to give up, someone else from that same list made a purchase. The same goes with Twitter followers, at first I felt bad, like I was doing something to offend people, but as I’ve continued to live and learn, it’s just a part of the game – and it’s nothing personal. When one person leave, it makes room for someone else to take there place. Eventually you’ll have a list full of people who want to hear what you have to say.
Kiesha @ Affiliate Marketer’s Help Desk´s last blog ..10 tips to getting more retweets
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The comment about marketers is so true Tom. People forget to ask those that are keeping them alive – customers/viewers. Asking your people is the way to find the answers you need.
Alex Monroe´s last blog ..What can foursquare do for you?
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