5 Mistakes Everyone Makes When They Have an Email List (and they’re not what you think)
Everyone covets that big email list.
But, everyone doesn’t seem to know that list building is something that needs attention daily. If you’re in the online business space, that seems to be all you hear and see too, “Build your list!” Build your list! Build your list!”
It starts to be white noise after a while, but don’t let that happen. Cause...it’s pretty important. Why? Because this is how you build and nurture relationships with your readers. And well nourished readers who feel like they get great value from you will eventually feel like they could be a customer of yours. That’s a pretty big deal. Right? Right.
Having an email list is just like a relationship. You don’t take someone out on a date and then shortly after you sit down for dinner ask them to marry you? Same as an email list. You wouldn’t welcome a new subscriber with a link to a sales page (unless they specifically asked for it) would you? That’s just bad manners now.
So, before you start thinking that you’re doing everything right, yet nothing seems to be working, take a look at these 5 mistakes you may be making with your list:
You don’t have the right mindset
You don’t provide any value to your readers
You don’t feel connected to what they need from you
You have a one way relationship with your readers
You’re afraid of unsubscribes so you stay away from emailing after the initial opt-in
Let’s break these down.
You don’t have the right mindset: are you a positive thinker? Do you wake up feeling excited about your business and it’s huge potential? Do you truly believe that you are doing this for a REASON?
If you’re a bit wishy washy on these questions then here are some suggestions:
Find a like-minded group online (there’s a Facebook group for everyone)
READ! Nothing inspires me to do my best and do what I feel I am meant to do more than reading. Suggested books:
You Are a Bad Ass
Big Magic
Make it Happen
You don’t provide any value to your readers: think about your friendships. Do you call or text them with random bits of information about yourself and never ask how things are going with them or if they need anything from you?
You’d be kind of a crappy friend if you did that. Think of the people who start every single sentence with the word, “I.” They’re very one sided and they basically have no interest in what you have to say or what you’re doing. Don’t be that person.
It can be very easy to fall in the cracks because it’s hard to come up with ways to provide value to an existing list. Or is it? Here are some ideas that you can use to nurture the lovely people that are on your list:
Books they would be interested in or find helpful
Links to articles they would find help helpful or entertaining
Find a sale on something that’s really popular with your readers? Share it!
See how each of these things literally have nothing to do with you? But you’re still feeding that connection with positivity and your readers will not only appreciate you even more, but they will look forward to the next treat from you.
You don’t feel connected to what they need from you: so, tell me. What is the biggest reason people have decided to sign up for your list? Do you have a really popular opt-in or newsletter? Why did people initially sign up to be with you?
And when is the last time you’ve checked in with them? Do you struggle with trying to think of things to give to your readers? How about this crazy concept? Ask them. Ooooo! I know.
And you don’t need some annoying survey or fancy questionnaire either. Yup. I said it. You just have to ask. Set up a broadcast or campaign (depending where you do business) and send a plain text email that says:
Hey there!
I hope you’re having an awesome day! I just wanted to write and ask you how things are going. I’d love to know and look forward to hearing from you!
Lindsay
--You have my permission to copy this and use it for your email list--
Sending them something super simple makes it look personal. Keeping it short tells them that this is all you want to know and there’s nothing in it for you. No links, no images. Nothing. Just ask.
You have a one way relationship with your readers: this one falls in with not providing anything of value to your readers. Actually it kind of wraps all of these together into one. So, to reiterate, your relationship must be a two-way street. You’re not just in it for the emails and the subscribes. You’re in it for the responses to your emails (yes, that totally happens), you’re in it for that special connection to your audience, and you’re in it to do what you are here to do. Help people. That mindset thing is making an appearance again! Funny how things work.
You’re afraid of unsubscribes so you stay away from emailing after the initial opt-in: this is probably the biggest bummer of all. Unsubscribes. Let me tell you this. When you send an email to your list telling them about a group of books you would recommend you will get unsubscribes. It’s part of the game. And once you get your head in the right spot these will no longer bother you.
All that’s happening with unsubscribes is you are just creating a more concentrated group of people that are closer together and hold that strong bond with your business. That’s all. Who care’s that Suzy Q. didn’t like your email. She probably wasn’t going to buy from you anyway. It’s not you, it’s her. You weren’t right together and that’s just fine and dandy.
I have something super awesome for all of you list builders out there. My brand new List Building Starter Kit is available now for FREE!
If you need to get started or clear the cobwebs from your list then sign on up!