I Survived a List Purge (You Can Too)

Congratulations Nancy! You have moved beyond one of the acts of self-sabotage that keeps so many women from adequately promoting the programs they create. WOOHOO!! Celebrating your breakthrough.

With love, light and dark,
Alexis

Oh baby! That's why you and I are sisters from another mother. Your post sounds like the one I posted a few weeks back on why I so uncare about unfollows – http://bit.ly/d9ozSf

It used to bug me sooooo much when people left my tribe, but now I see it as a informal purge. It's lovely and those who left were probably never going to engage with me anyways. Good for you for "growing balls."

Love it, Nancy! Because I work with highly spiritual people, when I began promoting my "Money Manifesting Mastery" program, I got all kinds of email telling me how "unspiritual" I was and LOTS of unsubscribes.

Well .. those people are just not MY people, anyway! I'm far more interested with highly conscious people who want to turn their spiritual wealth into financial abundance AND are willing to invest or at least are okay with me making offers!

Thanks for sharing this – it's great affirmation!!!!

Woo Hoo for you! The old 80/20 rule still holds. You do 80% of your business from 20% of your subscribers. Losing the bottom 10% can't hurt a bit….well, just your feelings.

Hi Nancy,This post comes in perfect timing. My VA just deleted all the bouncing emails from my ezine list. One reaction was "yikes." The other was "hurray." We can't be all things to all people, but we can be fabulous for the right people. And so it goes.

That's one way to do it! Kudos for your courage!

I have had people unsubscribe and I had to have a litte talk with myself. "People change their minds". One day they need me, the next day someone else needs me. It is ok. I am here to use my gifts and talents and it is not for me to have control over who sees my value and who doesn't. Great blog post-Nancy. I found it refreshing and real,

Thanks Andy! It's a learning process. And when I get the 3 page emails from people outlining their particular beefs with this or that I have to ask myself if they're just wanting to vent or if it really prevented them from taking action on an offer? Can't be all things to all people, that's what I'm learning!

oh yayy!! Andrea, you totally get what I'm talking about.Certain people are going to want us NEVER to change… but chances are that's because THEY fear change so badly they can't stand seeing others do it.Thank you thank you thank you for sharing this perspective, you are SOOOOOOOOOOO on the right track.:-)Nancy

My sister!!! You know it.What I am always amazed at is the more nervous I feel about posting something like this (vulnerable, letting people behind the curtain), the bigger the step we all take. Thank you so much, we're here to support one another's success!

Hey Alexis,thank you so much for that and appreciate you for saying it the way you did! I am fully ready to look at the light, dark, love, and shadows of this all "eyes wide open" as I love how you say it.We move on and we grow, that is the beauty of life.hugs,Nancy

I'm about to do a list purge myself so this was great timing.

I'm actually going to tell people to get off my list. Many have been with me since the beginning in 2003. And to be honest, many have never bought a thing from me! They need to go!

Plus, I've grown and changed so much in seven years, I can't imagine why some people have stuck around so long.

Yes, I'm scared. Yes, I'm expecting to lose thousands. But you know what? I'd rather have a well-targeted small list than a list of 10000 unresponsive people. Wouldn't you?

Nancy – having been part of the mind-meld with you and the others in Vegas, I can say that you have implemented what you were advised to the letter, and you're seeing the incredible benefits from it. Like you, I have been promoting an event heavily for the last 90 days. And my unsubscribes have been spiking to be sure. But those that are sticking around are what the business world calls "customers", and they're the ones you're in business to help. There may be a few who unsubscribed who would make great customers too. But just because they unsubscribed to your email list doesn't mean they aren't still looking at your blog, or following you in social media. The right people are there now, and the others will find there way back to you if it's right for them. If you love someone set them free….Bobp.s. Anyone who doesn't "get" what you can give to them, is missing out. Getting Marmolized myself helped me tap into my profitable essence, and I won't be unsubscribing any time soon.

Bob, thanks for reminding everyone that unsubs can still see you and hear your message via social media. Great point! I have such a high response rate from my social media peeps, I must see that as a treasure too!You getting Marmolized… oh the world is going to have to learn more about that. So funny! And thank you for NOT being on my unsub list and staying one of my peeps!!:-)Nancy

Shannon:That's bold, "Get off my list!"I think that's a good way to go. Like "hey, this is the direction I'm going in and you have a choice to get more, or to move on."Feels very mature and healthy.Write a post about it! I'd love to hear more.:-)Nancy

The great thing about people who unsubscribe is that it opens your business up for all those who would love to be part of your business but because you're wasting so much time with the dead-weight that's holding you don't you don't have the resources for those you really can help. I did that with emails at the end of the year and it freed so much time. By getting rid of what isn't working it truly does provide a vacuum for what happens next. My question is, how often should you purge of your bottom 10%?

I LOVE the idea of being Marmolized. That is hilarious Bob. Great post Nancy. We take such a risk when we test out a new way of communicating with our list and every time we do it we lose people who were comfortable with the way we used to do things. But, you know, we all evolve in our business and our customers need to as well. Last year I moved right out of my comfort zone with the way I communicated with my list. Lots of emails running a challenge and then launching a new program. My unsubscribes peaked but guess what? My emails of gratitude and stories of breakthroughs also peaked. Even more exciting, my revenue (and profit) tripled. Definitely a pay off.
Through your voice in this post Nancy I see you standing tall, shoulders back and a strong light shining. Thanks so much for sharing. You're a total inspiration.

Congrats on "growing those balls," Nancy. We are often our own worst enemies when it comes to our businesses – especially those of us who are too "nice." Thanks for blazing the trail – I'll keep you in mind when I have my own "Oh No!" moments. Warmly,Lis

Nancy, a great post! This is so true, we can't please everyone and we shouldn't even try to. When I started building my list, I freaked out each time someone unsubscribed – so I know the feeling! But now I'm grateful for every unsubscription – it just means you can focus your energy on those who are really interested in what you have to offer. After all, it's always better to have a small responsive list than a huge list of people who don't care about your work or products. It's quality, not quantity, that matters! (It's the same with social networks like Facebook and Twitter, btw.)

Bob, I love your comment. I'm getting "Marmolized" right now and I'm enjoying every minute!

Bob coined that term, I think it's so funny!

Thanks for concurring Barb, it's a big step to be able to step away from what doesn't work.

Yes, hopefully I don't have to alter my wardrobe too drastically to fit those babies in there. LOL!

Janet, you're my soul sister of business! And with your recent "Phoenix from the Ashes" experience you got to experience firsthand how people will stay if it's meant to be.

Cygnet, I realize that energetically people who "may be offended" or "may not respond" hold us back!!! Knowing that you have peeps who love you when you change and can still love you during a big launch is GOLDEN.thanks for your comment!

Nancy, thanks for sharing this.I had the very same thing happen a couple of weeks ago…for the very same reason: lots of exciting emails about new program(s). I did the freak out for a minute and then thought, well, I'm changing focus/direction here and they're not aligned with that…so okay…buh bye and good luck! LOL. Doing it all with open hands to let go is so much more fun, and all the good ones DO come along to us, don't they!!I love you and your work, Nancy! Love to collaborate sometime!!

Great post and thought provoking as usual. As someone just starting to build a list this is good advise. My perspective is from one who unsubcribes. Bob has it right, sometimes I unsub due to info overload and overwhelm – doesn't mean I dont follow in other forms – I would also say I come back to a core group I follow – which you are 1 – Garry.

That's exactly where I'm going! So many on my list have been there a long time and I'm not at all sure they resonate with where I am now. I've evolved , my work has evolved and so…..on this train or take the next one! It's so freeing to know that the more real, vulnerable and ME I am the more I can trust the ones that I attract are my tribe!! Woo Hoo!!!Thanks for being YOU!!

Glad you're sticking around Garry!

I feel like we all just came out of the shadows with this… speak up, speak out!

BTW, love your Soul to Soul Marketing!

Close one door … and another one opens. As one of your long time affiliates, I saw the benefits of becoming "Marmolized" right from the get-go. What you bring to the table may not be a good fit for everyone, but so what?! There's plenty more where they came from. It's not like we're running out of people who will genuinely embrace your style, your warmth, your programs, and your expertise. I can see a new line forming already.

Hi Nancy,You've touched on a very true (though painful for us "nice" types) business fact. Some will like you. Some will not like you. Oh well. Move on. The unsubscribes are a signal that they are not your target audience and that's good news. Using the folks who subscribe and even better, buy, is a much better metric to use anyway.Congratulations on being free of the dead weight.

Speaking only to those who want to hear you really resonates with me!When I started Spiritus, so many people said to me – that name will really put people off.And yes, it does.But for those who "get" what I'm doing, the name is highly attractive.

Nancy I can't tell you how proud I am of you. This is so tough, especially for women. I had so many issues with it myself. I remember when I first started my ezine I never wanted to send a solo email. "But they'll unsubscribe" I kept thinking. I worked so hard to get them on my list in the first place I couldn't bear the thought of them leaving. Finally one day I woke up and thought "Why am I treating my list with kid gloves? If they aren't buying, why am I spending all this time giving them great free stuff? I'm not a charity." That changed everything. And more than that, it was one of the mindset shifts I needed to make to really start growing my business.Good job Nance!Michele PW

Michele, you held my hand through this and I can't thank you enough! I also am giving my readers the space to make clear decisions about where THEY want to go with their choices. This is such a great discussion!

And it gives you the chance to speak to your tribe in an authentic way!

It's spring cleaning and a gift on both ends of the subscribe/unsubscribe spectrum.

Some will, some won't, so what?And not only that, you need to figure out how to adjust your walk to accommodate the new appendages. LOL.

Hi Nancy, great post as always. I just "purged" myself from several email lists because of information overload. Many of those I unsubscribed from simply added nothing to my need for knowledge, just sales pitch after sales pitch, never offering anything of substance.One of the lists I left was yours and one was BobTheTeacher's, BUT, only because I was double subscribed.

Ha ha Nancy Did you know that those seeds need more than just a fire – they need a WILDFIRE!! I love it and am celebrating everyone of the recent unsubscribes on my list as the space is created for more of the Leapin Leaders who will resonate with the CORE of what I am here to offer – which I'm quite sure will be even more refined and revealed through engaging with YOU and your great work through the Profitable Essence program we embarked upon this evening!

I used to look at all my unsubscribe emails, until I realized what a downer they were! So I banished them to the trash (hurray gmail filters!)

I did a scary thing last summer when I took a newsletter that had been going out every other week, and made it weekly. I have tons of great content to share (thanks to all my fabulous Solo-E Certified Solo Entrepreneur Experts, like you! and Michele!) and although there was an initial spike in unsubscribes, I sat tight and kept with it and now I get so many compliments about my newsletters! Plus, click-thrus have absolutely soared.

I've also decided there are a group of people out there I call the "teach me how to do it myself" folks, who are in startup (or austerity) mode, want info for free, and sometimes are even offended that I'd put something in my newsletter that isn't free. (It's not a public service announcement, it's a newsletter!) If you don't have the money and the courage to step up and invest in yourself, then definitely, get off my list!

The post does indeed come with perfect timing for me as well and I admire your openess and courage for sharing a personal reaction to a business situation. Thanks Nancy M!And then thanks Nancy J for the the line "We can't be all things to all people, but we can be fabulous for the right people. " What a great perspective to focus on!

I htink list builind, subscribers is great but if they are not there because they are genuinely interested in what you are doing is there a point in having them? Good for you!
Belinda

[...] to share an excellent blog post by Viva Visibility Founder Nancy Marmolejo.  Her post entitled, “I survived a list purge (You can, too)” gets to the heart of this matter, and plenty of folks are [...]

I LOVE it –> "Marmolized"

Nancy!
Thank you for being the Authentic YOU. I share many of the sentiments of the other commenters — tough to mention them point by point!

When we let go, we make room for Greatness–The Greatness that we've suppressed. And when we release the baggage weighing us down, our view is elevated…We see the people who look to our gifts to ignite part of the path along their unique journey.

Nancy, thank for being one of Lights along my journey.

thanks Marian for BEING on the journey.

OK, i'm going to have to do something with that!!

Terry, you got downright BOLD in that comment! Love it!! "Get off my list!"

I think we need to welcome those in austerity mode and teach how to invest wisely in oneself. I love meeting people who are at step 1 but they have the gumption and drive to take big leaps. I love that attitude!

The people who don't "get" you will energetically pull you down… you know that one I'm sure!

Sharon that is a great point. What I find is that you need to include content and great info so that the offers are met with less resistance. I don't like the nonstop pitchers. Now that might be ironic cuz I just had a massive pitch fest of a launch, but out here on the blog, on social media, and through the ethers I provide enough value to not fear being lumped into that category.

I should have said that *some* (a small minority) of the startup folks (and hey, we all started there!) react with anger when presented with even one non-free learning opportunity, among all the free information we all provide. Them, I can do without. Most startup folks will understand that just as they are aspiring to make money, so do others need to make money in order to be able to help them. They are the ones that will eventually be successfully — and I love being able to provide them free information that will help them take those big first steps!

Thanks, Nancy. I experienced something similar last fall when I was promoting a program with numerous e-mails. I actually said in one of the first e-mails "I'm going to be sending more e-mails than usual because I believe in this program and I totally understand if you feel the need to opt out of my system. The link is right there at the top of this e-mail." A week into the experience, I wrote a blog post called "If I'm Bugging you, I want you to Go" (http://wp.me/pNMnu-iL) on the same topic, letting people know I totally understood if they needed to opt out and promising I wouldn't take it personally. You should have seen all of the positive comments I got about that post!

I used to be like you, scouring my opt out list and feeling offended and slighted when someone I knew opted out. No more. Now I look at it as a gift and I know that they're leaving for their own reasons (and that those reasons have nothing to do with me). Thanks for a great post.

Julie Anne Jones

Great post Nancy! I built my first list and since then, I've found tremendous focus and direction for my business. I decided to start over and built my list to more than 3 times the size of my first list, and did it in just 2 months! I value that list so much more, not because its bigger (although that's nice:), but because its targeted. The people on my list now are the people I can best help and that feels really good.
Thanks for sharing!
Cindy

That's very inspiring Cindy, I'm sure your experience will help others stuck in list-fear mode!

Good for you, Julie Anne, another great idea for list scrubbing!

I'm right there with you Terri! I'm sensing that this topic might be a highlight of one of your future emails to your list…

Hi Nancy,

What a fantastic refreshing post, i say this simply because, at the time of writing it`s been the exact same mindset i have with my list and as i am just starting out i have only 21 subscribers and i have lost a few, but hey they where just freebie seekers anyway after the lead magnet on offer!

Anyway Nancy love the content you have a refreshing blog..

Thanks….Ed.
http://www.skincareprofitsgoldmine.com

That's a healthy perspective!

Bravo, Nancy! The more we take a stand for something, the more our tribe resonates with us and the more unsubscribes we from the people who don't. AND, it still hurts when they unsubscribe… Perhaps one day I can honestly say that unsubscribes don't effect me.

ahhh, Bill, the authenticity shines through! It's OK to admit it still hurts, we just learn to focus on the positive that's coming. Thanks so much!