Managing Mailing Lists: Dealing with Unsubscribe Requests

[Swirl]

Do any of you mail out your newsletter? I have several "older" customers who don't have emails so I end up mailing out the newsletter to them. I do put that disclaimer on the bottom about being removed but not had anyone ask to be (knock on wood). I am steadily growing a large mailing list and am seriously wondering if it's worth the expense.?. I like to think it keeps me in the back of their minds though every month when they get one.

 

[tlmcunning]

Do any of you mail out your newsletter? I have several "older" customers who don't have emails so I end up mailing out the newsletter to them. I do put that disclaimer on the bottom about being removed but not had anyone ask to be (knock on wood). I am steadily growing a large mailing list and am seriously wondering if it's worth the expense.?. I like to think it keeps me in the back of their minds though every month when they get one.

I send out newsletters to those that don't give thier email, but they have to spend a minimum of $60 unless they specifically request the newsletter.

It has worked for me. I send out less than 30 newsletters each month. I just put the postage in PP as an expense to write off at the end of the year.

Tracy

 

[raebates]

Since I don't send newsletters unless they are requested, my list is fairly small. I keep track of my postage for the tax deduction, too. I've been doing this for about 5 months. I've had a few sales/bookings as a result, so I think it's worth it.

 

[Rebeccascabinet]

I think if you have a ton of people you've been sending newsletters to and they do not order or host a show; if you have their numbers I would use that has an opportunity to call them and ask them if they would still like to be on the mailing list and what a great chance to ask them to host a show!
Some people like that kind of personal touch.

 

[Jayne]

I have had a few people ask to be removed and in a couple of cases I have ran into them at other shows. They told me they can't open the attachment or that they have dial up and it took to long to down load. So there are other reasons besides not being interested. I don't let it bother me. I have plenty of customers who love my newsletter!!

 

[raebates]

Living in the middle of nowhere, I have the same problem--dial-up service and difficulty opening large attachments. I have to assume many of my customers would have the same problem, so I make sure my newsletter's pretty simple.

 

[MissChef]

I don't know if this has been said, as I don't have time to read through all three pages on this thread! I glanced through it and didn't see this so I will add my thoughts! I very seldom get any removes and I think my reason is because when I pass out the survey slips at my show, I thouroughly walk the guests through it, which includes explaining about the e-mail part. What I say is: " For those of you who'd like an e-mail newsletter from me every month go ahead and fill in your e-mail address. My e-mail newsletter goes out once a month and tells you what's going on in the land of Pampered Chef!
It will have what the current specials are for both the guest and host. It will have some quick tips and recipes. It will also include any products that will be discontinued when a new season starts, and that will happen in 2 of the newsletters, once in the February newsletter and once in the August newsletter, because our new products always come out in March and September. NOW, IF YOU DO NOT WANT THIS FROM ME, DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS DOWN, BECAUSE I WILL SEND IT TO YOU AND THEN I WILL BE YOUR SPAM!!! AND I DON'T WANT TO BE ANYONE'S SPAM!!!! I DO NOT WANT TO UPSET YOU IF YOU DO NOT WANT IT, SO I WILL NOT SEND IT TO YOU, IF YOU DON'T PUT IT DOWN! I usually over emphasize the part in all caps! and I make it funny so that everyone will laugh!!! I also let them know that if there is another reason why they want to put down their email (like for a promised recipe or other correspondence) then to also include (no e-mail newsletter, please) next to the email address!
This usually works well! I have had 1 remove ever! And she was someone who moved to another country with her husband (military) and became a consultant herself!
Anyway, another thing I do, is I always put in the beginning of the email that I will always respect their privacy and blind copy it to them, so that no one else will see their email address.
This works well for me!
Hope this helps!!!

 

[beepampered]

I have had one person ask to be removed because she has another consultant. Fair enough, but I can't remove her! For some strange reason, I have TWO contact lists in my Outlook. She is on the list that I can't find. Very strange. Any computer pros that can suggest how to find/remove an entire contact list on Outlook? (I have to remember not to mail her and I'm so worried I'll forget and she'll think I'm an idiot.)....