Another Freebie Seeker Bites the Dust
May 10th, 2009 | 
Author: Let’s say you’re on a list of mine. You’re a subscriber. When you first sign up to one of my lists, you will get something in return. It may be:
-a free chapter of my eBook as a preview
-a free report
-the opportunity to buy cheap lenses or PLR before anyone else
-the chance to learn something from someone else and supplement your own knowledge
Today I got the following unsubscribe message from someone on one of my lists:
“I subscribed to receive a free chapter to get an idea if the ebook might interest me. I did not expect to receive so many soliciting emails and I don’t like it. I would have ordered the book, but I’m now upset about so many sales pitches, that I’m not going to now.”
Fair enough. Everyone has a different threshold for communications of any kind. But there’s a lesson I want to teach you in all of this.
You will never please everyone 100% of the time.
Since April 1, I have sent that particular list a total of 5 “promotional” emails. Other emails she got were educational in nature. So that’s a little less than 1 email of a promotional nature per week.
To me, it’s not a lot. To some, it’s far more than they can handle. I unsubscribe when I get daily or 3 x a week promotional emails – UNLESS – keyword to notice here – there is valuable stuff coming at me in between, which so many marketers do NOT do.
I used to feel sick to my stomach when I’d get an email like the one above. I would tear up even, wondering why I was such a failure as a marketer. Then I learned that it wasn’t ME, it was THEM.
It was her own permission settings that mattered here, not my marketing strategy. I was giving value – both upfront and in emails sprinkled in between. I had given this prospect a LOT for free, actually – including, and this is important – my personal recommendation for products I feel would truly help her.
I understand the cynicism. Most marketers promote based on an incestuous nature – who’s in bed with who. “You promote me, I’ll promote you. No, I don’t need a review copy.”
I don’t play that dirty game. I’ve had ghostwriting clients whose business I didn’t want to lose ask me to promote another of their products that I didn’t write, and I flat out said, “No.”
I turned down a girl’s JV proposal today who asked me to promote what I consider a spammy Squidoo backlink builder. She meant well, I’m sure. I would have earned $25 per sale and being the original “Squidoo Queen” – people trust my judgment on Squidoo! But I didn’t do it.
I don’t recommend unless I would use it myself, end of story.
The lady who unsubscribed used a tone of voice that she believed would surely make me rethink my marketing strategy. But in reality, all she did was make me feel sorry for her. Because you see, she doesn’t “get it” yet.
This is truly sad to me because the list she was subscribed to was for Building an eBook Empire – she needed to learn how to build a list of prospects who hadn’t bought yet and convert them into buyers. She even admitted she liked the first chapter so much she was going to buy the eBook.
To be honest with you, I don’t believe her. I believe she was a freebie seeker who didn’t like spending money on info products and didn’t like it when my free valuable emails were interrupted by a message that she might want to look into buying something. Her “I’m offended” needle was tilted far too much to the right in overdrive. She needs to cool down and look at this rationally. I’m not building a list of prospects to be a free mentor forever – the goal is to get them to become a customer. D’uh!
She won’t have that chance to learn from me now – and what she doesn’t know is that she’s the exception, not the rule. Most prospects love the free chapter, email me grateful as hell about my recommendations, and build loyalty to me for my advice I give freely via email when someone has a question.
Once you get going, don’t let any of your unsubscribe emails get under your skin. Evaluate your strategy and if it works out well most of the time and you don’t feel you’re in the wrong, don’t let someone with a different mindset change you!
Tiff 
PS – I hope if you’re a Twitterer that you’ll Tweet this blog entry. This kind of mindset needs to change. I know I always ask myself, “Why am I doing this” before I unsubscribe from someone’s email list – especially if they’ve already given me something I love. If not, I feel like I’ve just dined and dashed. How about you?
Posted in Internet Marketing
Hi Tiff
She needs to understand marketing strategies. There isn’t a single freebie on the web that is not used as a promotional gift. Even a marketing dodo like myself understands that – you’re right- it’s them not you. Keep doing what you’re doing = you’re going places and all she’ll be able to do is download freebies.
BTW: I DID buy your book — exceptional value, instructions (which I am currently workng on) and definitely worth all those ‘unsolicited’ mails from you.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge (tho it be a $ value for all the time, effort and $ you spent on obtaining it).
Rene
Great post Tiff!
And about time somebody (like you) said so. Mr T (Bum Marketing) got a similar ‘kicking’ over in the WA forum just this week. PotPieGirl get’s them as well.
Personally, I rarely get these. Not because I’m any better at doing mails or anything. In fact I do totally ‘over the top’ promo stuff now and again. People unsubscribe for sure… they just don’t say anything because apparently I’m ’scary’. (I’m not BTW)
Anyway, you’re absolutely right. I’m on your list and your mails are among the best I get. Totally helpful with the occasional promotion of things you think are good and worth telling your list about.
We ARE in business… but for some reason people think we owe them something… they want EVERYTHING for free. And I know for a fact that even if you hand it to ‘em on a plate there’s a huge percentage who do nothing with it and even want you (nay, expect you) to do it all for them.
This business requires a huge amount of effort and training. Most people are not prepared to put that in… they then rush off and buy the latest Guru ‘magic’ trick. (Which of course doesn’t work for them.)
Keep up the great work. You’re on my favourite list of ‘Gurus’ anyway! ;O)
Dave B
Hello Tiffany
I’m fairly new to internet marketing and I’m always looking for some sort of instruction on how to build my “empire”.
There are some marketers that hammer you with one offer after another and have very little interaction with the subscribers, and it’s with these ones that I have a tendency to hit the delete button.
On the other hand, there are some that send nothing but instructions on how to become successful. These ones always catch my attention, because ultimately that’s what I want.
It’s the interaction between the list owner and the subscriber that really matters.
Receiving the occasional email about an event coming up, or a product that’s just been released, shouldn’t be an issue.
When I first started out online I was signing up for pretty much every “free” offer that was being presented to me because I needed a “hand-up” so to speak.
After filling my hard-drive with a ton of products, I started giving back by joining as many Giveaway events as I could so I was in the position to help out the “little guy”.
Through this process I was able to build a fairly big list in a very short period of time and I’d say that I send out more freebies than anything.
In about a 4 month period I was able to build a list of over 2500 subscribers and they’re my number one priority when it comes to keeping them updated on new products that are being introduced to the mainstream of internet marketing.
On an average day I receive anywhere between 4500 – 5000 emails a day from various lists that I belong to and all of them provide an unsubscribe link which allows me to bow out any time I like.
I don’t quite understand what the whining is all about. When you subscribe to a list, it’s with the understanding that you’ll be receiving more than just the “freebies”.
If you don’t want to be on a list that sends you a promotion, hit the unsubscribe link and leave it at that.
Through my experience, the Giveaway events are a great way to get subscribers, and for the subscribers to receive a piece of information that they don’t already have.
I think that the people that are sniveling because they receive too many emails should put the shoe on the other foot.
When they get successful enough to have their own list and start getting nasty emails back, they’ll realize the mistake they’ve made in the past and will hopefully feel the pain that they caused their former up line.
Well, I think I’ll leave it at that because I can ramble on if you let me.
To your, and everyone’s success.
Vince
Hi Tiff,
Good post and I am sure most online marketers with a list will identify with it. The simple truth is that it’s impossible to satisfy all the members on your list all the time.
For what it’s worth, I think you provide a lot of value to your subscribers. And, you have a good balance between promotional and helpful content emails. Personally, I enjoy reading your messages and save / print many of them to refer back to later.
All the best,
Francois du Toit
Anyone who would unsubscribe because of this post is here for the wrong reasons and you don’t need them.
I gave up trying to figure people out. Would THEY go to work for free! I think not!
It is VERY obvious to know who is sleeping with who – so to speak – when you get the SAME email promotion from 10 people. Those I will unsubscribe from ONLY IF that is all they do!
Enjoy your day Tiff.
Roz
Hi Tiffany:
I’m pretty sure she needs to re-evaluate herself!
To be honest, I receive many many many emails a day and most of them I don’t them all. But when I see it’s from Tiffany, I’m sure to open and read it. As a matter of fact, I find that your emails contain very low sales preach and you’ve been sincere enough to interact with you subscribers. To whoever that read this, I don’t get any benefits for the above saying. This is just what I think and and how I feel.
Great! Look forward for more info….
Irly
Fantastic post, Tiffany!
The key part here is: “She needs to cool down and look at this rationally. I’m not building a list of prospects to be a free mentor forever – the goal is to get them to become a customer. D’uh!”
Some people don’t seem to understand this concept online, yet offline, they wouldn’t think twice about it. A good example – no one would expect their Avon lady to give them anything for free, other than a sample of cologne, not the entire bottle.
I hope the “clueless” people out there learn something from your post, and think twice before they fly off the handle in the future.
The Wacky Gals
When I first started IM I would sign up for freebies and I honestly couldn’t figure out why I suddenly started getting all these emails from people. I totally didn’t “get it”. So today I wouldn’t be so insulted if someone was upset about all the emails – information or promos.
Hi, Tiffany.
I enjoyed the free chapter. I haven’t bought the book yet, but I probably will. The probably is only because I have a notoriously slow-burning fuse where it comes to purchases, irrespective of price or other considerations. I like what I’ve seen so far.
People are strange. I used to publish a free (no adverts either) humour newsletter, and occasionally someone who had been receiving it for years would flare up and demand to be ‘ubsubscribed immediately’ because I’d offended them in some way. other more rational people would mail me and say, ‘I didn’t like the joke about ….. because ‘but I like nearly everything else you send’.
As you say, prickly people are a fact of life.
Best wishes,
Gyppo
Gosh Tiff! I thought, after the years I’ve been following you, that you are a great marketer. Now I see that you have been fooling me. Shame on me!
It’s evident you do not know what you’re doing. Don’t you realize you’re internet marketing expertise is worth nothing, nada, nilch. You don’t have any bills to pay (like putting your child through school $14,000 worth). We as internet marketers are only suppose to give everything away and go down to the local food kitchen to survive! Enough crap. I’m glad to see you have a thick skin. It’s evident to me this person is not going to survive in internet marketing with her beliefs.
Hi Tiff –
She did you BOTH a favor!
After all, we only want those people on our lists that would NOT object to hearing from us SEVERAL TIMES DAILY – if necessary – am I right?
Keep the mail coming!
Richard Howell
Tiff,
When I see your emails come in I pay attention. I have come to trust your judgement and I seriously consider the information you are sending me–sometimes I take action; sometimes I don’t. Thanks for your great work.
Ellen
Hey Tiff,
Just the medicine I needed. Your words were spot on and while it is tempting to feel bad about the unsub, what counts is whether we fold up (like you used to) or take to heart any changes to your method which might be chasing off subscribers, then move on.
Unless you are losing “tons” of subscribers, it really is just them. It is a fine line what we each think is too much. And speaking from personal knowledge, she missed the best opportunity to learn how to write and sell info products available
Hi Tiff,
Some people will bitch if you hang them with a new rope.
I have your “Building an eBook Empire” and I refer to it only slightly less then my dictionary. And I look forward to your emails. You deliver quality information not elsewhare available.
Nobody hits it out of the park every time. Let her eat cake.
Onward,
Richard
Hi Tiff:
I’m a new subscriber and frankly as someone who ‘wants’ to learn marketing strategies from a ‘pro’, I think your disgruntled customer hasn’t put herself into the marketing mode. How does she expect to build a list of prospects if she isn’t willing to ‘read and learn’ from your marketing info emails and by purchasing the book. Frankly, I think she is a ‘dine and dash’ person – there are lots of people like this who want the freebies, but don’t want to follow through. Freebies to me are the appetizer and the rest of the meal is actually found in Building an EBook Empire.
I downloaded the free chapter (appetizer) and spent 10 mins. reading and evaluating the info – then I went straight to your site and bought the book (the full meal deal). The information you provide is valuable in both the book and the few emails that I have received since then. Keep up the great work.
Carmel V
Tiffany-
Know-Like-Trust
You are one of the marketers that I think displays this trait in everything you do. I am on your lists. I follow you (on more than one account) on Twitter, in FaceBook, etc and watch your Squidoo Lens.
I am on MANY lists and there are many marketers that out right solicit daily. In NO WAY do you spam or send to many soliciting emails especially when you combine the “good content” emails you send and compare that with the ones that have offers I think you are well with a fair percentage. I stay on your list because I learn from what you do and how you do it and if an offer is right I buy.
Tiffany, you are a leader and a mentor. I can we tell? This post. Leaders show their students both the good and the bad. They show the mistakes as well as the successes so that we can learn from both.
Thanks for sharing this story. I feel sorry for that “unsubscriber” too. She has lost the opportunity to learn from someone who really has integrity in this industry.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I must admit upfront to subscribing to some newsletters to see how people respond to a subscriber.
I subscribed to Tiffany because someone told me she offered authentic information.
Of all the people’s emails I receive I look forward to Tiffany’s the most. I know I am information gathering. I understand that Tiffany won’t mind if I study her technique. But back to the unsubscriber, let me admit to another thing…I used to block affiliate links from people. As example, if someone recommended a book, I would go to Amazon directly to order the book. It took me awhile to understand that was an income stream for someone; like the unsubscriber I didn’t understand how money could be made online.
Hello Tiff,
Good post!
And You ARE one of the few who doesn’t promote ALL the time. I’ve been on your subscriber list for a at least three years.
When you Do promote things and I don’t want to buy them I just don’t. You’re not holding a gun to my head. And unsubscribing would be like biting off my nose to spite my face.LOL
Your e-mail is always valuable and I actually enjoy reading it. The trouble I AM having with Squidoo itself is not anybody’s fault but my own either.{I’m not the world’s top organizer:))
Keep up the great work.
Joyce
Tuff,
Your emails contain your voice and I like that.
So many marketers are a brain and no voice. I can tell quickly if I am interested in your e-mail. You always reply and are always helpful and always welcome in my mailbox. Charles
Tiff,
“Tuff” was a typo and maybe it was an unconscious applause for your e-mail today.
Charles
Hi Tiff
Great article – which I incidentally found by following a tweet link by Tina Williams.
We are great believers in the Givers Gain principle too, but you can never/will ever please everyone. Specially those looking for only freebies and in fact abusing the Permission Marketing principle. It is a two-way-traffic and they – those looking for freebies only – should know very well: there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
That said: the deserts can be worth very much
Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)
Hey Tiff, I’ll admit I sign up for freebies often, and I frequently get emails from internet marketers. Some of them seem to come almost daily. Most of those I don’t read, but I do keep them, because I want to have them as reference to see what others are doing. I will say that I read all your emails (I’m on the eBook Empire list) and I’ve never found the frequency or content offensive. Thanks for the post and keep up the good work!
Well (and bravely) said, Tiffany!
To quote T Harv Eker: “Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value. Poor people think negatively about selling and promotion.”
I admire your confidence, integrity and belief in what you do.
You’re right, it’s her issue – hope she gets over it and sees the value in your stuff.
Keep up the good work!
Danielle Raine
Hi Tiffany!
I LOVE your emails! And, I appreciate your recommendations. I highly doubt she wants to “build an ebook empire” so that she can give away free stuff for the rest of her “career”. I highly doubt she wanted to learn from someone who never made a dime. And, you never make a dime if you never promote!
But honestly, I don’t look at you as if you are “promoting” something or trying to sell. I see it that you have discovered a very valuable tool, and want to let the rest of us in on it so that we too can be successful!
PLUS, you send free stuff out all of the time, along with your timeless and valuable insight.
I say, pffftt on her. Apparently she doesn’t want to succeed.
Thanks for all you do!
Lauri
Hi Tiff,
I love the post! Those things need to
be said.
I publish a natural healing and wellness newsletter, and recently I received an
email from a subscriber, saying that I
was “cruel” for publishing links to certain
articles on cancer research. She felt the
articles were giving false hope to cancer survivors, and that they weren’t valid
because the research wasn’t done at a
leading cancer research centre.
But, you know, it’s my policy to get
information out to people, not to judge
whether a cancer research centre is doing
quality research. This is beyond my
expertise. I don’t censor things, but
allow my subscribers to read articles
from mainstream and alternative, natural
healing sources. The reader has the
freedom to decide whether to accept what
is written.
It turns out that this subscriber didn’t
even realize that a large percentage of
such research is based on experiments
with rats and mice.
Anyhow, I felt a bag of mixed emotions, as
you undoubtedly felt when you received that message from your subscriber. But, I just
moved on, and after some soul searching,
didn’t change my policy.
All the best to you!
Laurie
I feel sorry for people like that. I agree, she probably never would have bought the ebook and she is only hurting herself. If anyone wants to succeed online they have to find a mentor and educate themselves.
By the way I look forward to each and every email I get from you. If someone is unhappy all they have to do is unsubscribe but you are right, you can’t please all the people all of the time.
Hello Tiff,
Happy Mothers Day !!
I believe you’re getting old…
I just read half of your posting.
If I were you, I would have had
UNSUBSCRIBED that person myself.
No need to have that kind of so call people in your list. Do your thing…You’re doing it great !
Cheers,
George
Miami, FL
Hey Tiffany, great post! Took me a while to get over those unsubscribers too. The last one flat out told me she subbed to my parenting list to get copywriting tactics(i’m a freelance copywriter as well as an Internet marketer). Now my attitude is that those who unsub aren’t those I want on my list anyway. The quality of the list is at least as important as the size of the list. Keeping this in mind helps me look at unsubcribers from the proper perspective.
Tiffany, We all know it’s a free country and anyone can easily opt out of anyone’s emails. If we sign up in the first place, it’s because we have some interest in the subject. If we find the emails valuable — and not just endless sales hype — we’ll stay on the list even if the emails come more than once per week. Honestly, it takes one second to hit delete if we’re not getting value and it takes two seconds to unsubscribe. We all just need to find the marketers who have something useful to say that we can learn from and the ones who do nothing more than push one product after another in our face. Read one, delete the other.
Great post Tiff!
It’s true you can’t please everyone all of the time but when you’re first starting out and your list is miniscule, every unsubscribe hurts. But, as I’ve noticed on ebay too, it’s very often the “newbies” (less than 10 feedback) who are MOST likely to do the complaining. What you said needs to be said and if a few unsubscribe, I’m sure you will cope. After all, you have a massive list now, right? LOL!
And ditto Dave B, you are on my favourite list if “Good gurus”.
Cheers!
Susan
I find that being on too many lists can get me sensitized (in a negative way) to receiving solicitous emails. When I’m feeling punchy about getting hammered with tons of emails, I have to remind myself that no one marketer in particular is responsible for this.
I like your post Tiff, it sounds to me like this lady hasn’t had the opportunity like most of us have to be on some email lists that were not in our best interests. Point of fact, I’ve ditched nearly every other marketer because of “the next best thing” they try to sell you on repeatedly through the week. As far as internet marketing goes, in my view you are one of the elite. I am on very very few lists any more, and I’m still on your’s for good reason. You would be part of the solution, not part of the problem of why sometimes there’s a stygma attached to being an internet marketer. I don’t do affiliate marketing any more, there are other avenue’s for success, however be that as it may, I’ll remain on your list for the simple fact that I both like you and respect you as a person and as a smart marketer.
Happy Mother’s Day Tiff
Hi Tiffany,
I am really shocked. When I first read the email headline of yours, I thought that you’re going erase me out of your list. I enjoy emails. And since reading the first chapter of your free gift, I have already written my own first ebook and just working with the finishing touch. Then I have to master the selling techniques. Its true that I haven’t bought the main book. But even the free learning through emails are of great value and those who subscribe, should always be grateful for the service you render. Please don’t loose your heart as there is always some scoundrels out there who never learn how to value valuable work.
Dibban
Tiff,
I kinda have to chuckle at this post simply because I think both you and your ex subscriber need to take a breath. Obviously the two of you did not click for whatever reason – so what, who cares.
I’ve purchased a couple of your ebooks and plr packages and you do an excellent job at educating and promoting stuff. I particularly like your postings on WF.
With that being said, I think you should laugh it off and chaulk it up as, “one of those things” and move on. In all reality 98% of the traffic you generate will never buy from you, they may even end up hating you. But folks like myself will pay your mortgage, fund your retirement and send you on vacation. So focus you energies on me and what I want – not some chucklehead who zaps your energy, resources and time.
Enough said, ciao!
Tiff,
You wouldn’t believe this but I just used your email style as an example over at Garry Conn’s blog of ‘how to do email marketing right’ a week or so ago.
I’m not on the particular list you’re speaking of but I receive your emails from a different list with reverence.
What people may not realize about you is that you tell it like it is at all times and when you do finally recommend something that it is a product or service that’s been thouroughly vetted by you.
Hopefully this person will have a change of heart in the future and realize what a genuine business person you are and how honorable you’ve been to those you communicate and conduct business with.
Happy Mother’s Day!
I know what you mean. I have a set of ebooks to learn magic tricks (click on my name if you want to see it) and I am building a HUGE list, mostly from freebie-seekers who sign up for a free sample magic trick from the exit pop-up.
Now, I have a different problem… they get the free ebook, some informational emails in-between, and 3 more freebies sent to them. (They get a LOT for being on my list!)
What amazes me is the arrogance when they ask me to send them the ebooks (the “real” set) for free! Like, it’s not enough free stuff, now they want the product for nothing. Hmmm.
And, of course are the ones who complain (as your subscriber did) about how awful it is for me to send them emails. The SCREAMERS who send me a copy of my email telling me to UNSUBSCRIBE!!!! them from the list. (I just click the unsub link at the bottom for them because they were just too stupid to do it themselves, I suppose.)
I try not to take it personally.
Looks like some are destined to stay where they are.. whilst others will continue to grow. the knowledge tree does need watering now and again and as subscribers to a list we water the tree by purchasing the odd ebook or lens
If only the list could be as giving as the list builder.. wow we’d all be well on the way ..
Kaizen and keep going
Based on the facts you gave, it doesn’t seem you are/were out of line. Give some free “good” iformation. At times, you give the opportunity to pay for some more valueable information. Sounds fair.
Where I’m hesitant, is in the case the marketer makes a lot of empty promises just to snag you with a sales pitch. I think you’ll agree that’s not good marketing.
I recently got snagged. I was following someone on twitter and they offered a link to a free report. The title of the report seemed of interest so I followed the link and gave all the personal information asked for. I was told to check my email for confirmation. When I clicked the link in my email I immediately was taken to a page telling me about a manual on sale for just under $800 (1/2 off). There was no mention of the free report.
I DM’d the person and told him I was tricked into giving information to him, and was thinking of reporting him. I got a DM back telling me I was obviously a newbie and to check my email.
Fifteen minutes after his “tricky” “sales pitch” email, I got an email with his report.
I sent him a DM letting him know I got the report. He had others words to say that did nothing to encourage a continued relationship.
It would have been better had he said, the report is on the way. I’m sorry you got the “sales pitch” first, my bad, etc…
The free report was useless and worth what I paid. I probably would have considered the manual for $800 however I really got a sleezy feeling from this person and opted out.
I think Social Media is based on trust within your group of followers/tribe. You build a relationship based on good content/information that is applicable to them. Some of it’s free and some you pay for, but there shouldn’t be tricks.
Just like traditional marketing tools I think SM tools are great when used properly.
That’s my 2 cents.
Rod Mills
Cornerstone Marketing Strategy
Hi Tiff!
As a beginner, I see your points which are obviously good and sound advice. Thanks for giving us an example of “did I mess up?” and all the logics surronding these kinds of concerns. You gave us all a whole bunch of parameters to consider when evaluating these kinds of issues.
You Rock!
John
P.S. ‘don’t know if you’re a mom or not, but I’ll just say “happy mother’s day” in case!
Tiffany, don’t trip, and I know you’re not. You rock. Your blog rocks, and your products rock. Anyone who has John Reese, Yanik Silver, and David Dutton…among others, talking them up has got to be doing plenty right. And, you are doing plenty right. And, P.S. – Your emails are always very welcome in my Inbox.
Isn’t it amazing how some people feel a sense of entitlement to your information? One of my side businesses is in the real estate field, and I’ve had people demand that I provide certain data, as though I’m the reference desk at a library that their tax dollars support.
My copywriting business gets plenty of freebie seekers too. Just yesterday, I had a grad student studying PR call me and ask if I’d assist him in writing an essay on a particular topic.
In the interest of helping him out, I spent about 15 minutes on the phone giving him some talking points. Three hours later he sent me an email saying he’d incorporated those points, but they’d only taken up half a page, and he needed his essay to be two pages, so could I please submit more ideas? He even attached a copy of the teacher’s assignment so that I could make sure my answers were on target. Yeah, right. I’m on it!
Hi: Glad your doing fine. I only started doing this internet about 7 months ago. I am trying to get my own business going. I get tons of emails but I only open the ones I want. That lady shouldn’t be in the business if she complains about all the emails. I think through emails you can create friends from the items you get. So don’t worry its her lose and not yours. Thanks from Heather
Let’s hold on for a minute.
I’ve known you a while Tiff. I know you do not spam.
However, I do not remember if you clearly tell your subscribers if they will be getting further emails. Do you?
If not, then I can understand the lady’s problem. We, of course, know we will receive a string of emails from people who offer something for free. But I am not sure all people know that.
Not everyone knows about email lists and a lot of them do not ever think of starting one.
I find some of the comments above just plain insulting. Does anyone in IM give a sh*t about how they obtain someone’s email address? God knows the IM industry is already on the skids because of the chicanery still going on. How about “forced continuation”? How many IMers still do that? Some bigshots do.
Anyway, I’ve said my piece.
Hi Tiff; great post..real
Your emails are among the few that i consistently open and enjoy. Your above board
,truthful and honesty is very appreciated in this market.
keep being Tiff, we appreciate you. thanks Wayne
Good question Greg.
The initial confirmation says, “I received a request to add you to the free chapter list for
Building an eBook Empire. Before I begin sending you the information you requested, I want to be certain that I have your permission.”
This does not indicate multiple emails, no. However, she continued on through the series of emails that were “value-natured.” She did not object to getting further emails, just so long as they didn’t recommend that she buy anything. I double checked to make sure she didn’t unsub on the very next email – she went through the series of freebie emails just fine.
Tiff
Well, then I think you are getting your knickers in a twist over nothing.
You can’t be all things to all people.
Happy Mother’s Day!
LOL Greg – I remember knickers!
A few people emailed to tell me not to worry – that wasn’t the purpose of the post, though so I want to clarify.
The purpose was to teach others not to worry. My primary teaching topic is info marketing (even above Squidoo). My customers are learning from me and like a couple of emails remarked, they too felt anxiety over unsubscribes.
My goal with this post is to let them know it’s OKAY – don’t change just because someone else doesn’t like your style
Tiff
Hi Tiff,
Nice post, amen.
I do hope some of those so called marketers read your post do some serious thinking.
I was getting so many emails daily it took hours to sort through them.
What I discovered was I was offered a free report and was required to sign up for what-ever and received not a report but another sales letter.
Also I noticed I ended on another bunch of lists that were sending sales letters on a daily basis.
Now for the fun part, my spam filter is hitting over fifty a day.
OK I am through whining.
Keep up the good work Tiff.
wow!!!! 100% agreement in all the posts!
marvin
You can’t please all of the people all of the time. If you work with integrity, which it would appear you do very successfully, you will keep the people you want on your list, ie your loyal followers; and those who want a free ride will hop from one opportunity to another and eventually realize they had struck gold with you but were too dumb to recognize it.
Keep up the good work
Hi Tiff
I’m new at this stuff however I felt I wanted to share my view as well. When I saw your email on this subject I was surprised because from my own experience …compared to many other marketers I’ve not had excessive amounts of emails from you.
What i’ve received I’ve been please with. Why? Because they give me information I want and if they didn’t I’d take ownership and make the choice to opt out with one click of the button
I think it’s fair to say, however, i don’t believe every marketer out their has your integrity and consideration their customer. I like the way you approach your business in a professional and considerate manner. So I’m guessing your complainer will get some surprises and sadly be in for a greater disappointment in the future.
I personally love your style and approach …thats what makes me stay tuned!
Thank you Tiff
Note that I did not put in my website. Unfortunately, I’ve been too busy with business to set one up. I know how important they are, but business is business. I quit my full-time, a good salaried job a few years ago to pursue my dream of writing/freelancing. I’ve been doing well with business writing, but I have been interested in your e-book empire. I want to do exactly the same thing. Your e-mails encourage me to pay attention and do what I set out to do. Sure, I write for business, but I long to share some of my experience and publish on-line. Thanks for your e-mails. They are not too frequent, but if they were, I understand the need to market. As a salaried employee for nearly 30 years, I know all to well now, that if I do not “sing for my supper” I do not get paid.
Thanks.
Bev
A Freebie hunter who’s offended by the nature of your freebies and wants to unsubscribe? What a loss! The Internet is full of creeps and bargain hunters and if they ain’t paying customers then their opinions are worth as much as their business
Hi Tiff,
Just a pity that someone would find your email too pushy. I, for one don’t feel that way. In the past six months I’ve bought two of your products not because you were pushy, but because of their powerful contents. I like your writing style and will even do more business with you in the near future.
Your email to me are just about right for me. No fluff, no useless materials or silly pitches.
Goodluck to you, Squidoo Queen!
Hi Tiff,
I just wanted to say that I think you are one of the most generous marketers out there. You have helped me immensely, both with freebies and items I have purchased from you, and I really don’t feel like you over push on the selling aspect of your business.
You send me offers that you think may interest me, or help me with my business, I have the choice to buy or not buy, delete or read.
Thanks for all you share.
Thank you for all you do with your generous and practical approach to business. I save your emails as well as any content you share, because it’s all helpful. I recently experienced a similar event with a subscriber and almost went to tears, too. He/she accused me of being cynical, selfish and greedy, because I offer a lot of free content, along with products for sale, on pet care, and if I “really cared” about the animals, it would all be free. Really? I had to ask others if I was being greedy, because these complainers can hit you in a way that pushes your buttons and makes you doubt yourself. I’m so glad you shared this with us, because it validates my efforts to know I’m doing the right thing. Thanks, and keep up the great work.
Honestly, I’d be glad to have someone like that off my list.
“I’ll do this thing if it means I get something for FREE from you, but then I’m going to act all offended about it.”
Always a classy play!
I’ll tweet this
I bought “…EMPIRE” & realized that it’s value far exceeded it’s price. After that I got recalled to a contract assignment that runs 10-12 hrs per day, 6-7 days per week (but pays six figures annually). So my ebook marketing has been severly limited (to affiliate links for other folks’ ebooks and services).
Often, your emails pile up in my box for weeks before I get time to read them & learn that I missed some offers that really were for a limited time. Still, I find your ideas helpful enough to save most of them.
I first heard of Squidoo from you. Some of your free SEO & keyword ideas helped me get a lens ranked #1 on Google with my web page for the same subject coming in at #3–all within days.
Keep throwing offers at me mingled in with the free stuff. Offended I’m not!