A while back I got an email from someone in the region who sells insurance. My insurance needs are covered, and since I was getting consistent communication from this person (and no opt out option) I emailed and asked to be removed from the mailing list. However, this person attended an event I spoke at and at the event I said if I received their info I’d add them to my newsletter list and it’s easy to subscribe. Fast forward to last week when I got this email after sending out my newsletter…

Question, how can you send me this when you asked that I unsubscribe you.  Isn’t that kind of hypocritical. 

And so here’s my response…

Great questions!

It’s actually not, because you attended an event I spoke at. At that event I let you know I’d be following up with you and including you in my newsletter list. AND I mentioned that there is an easy way for you to unsubscribe from my newsletter if it’s not of interest to you. I asked permission, and you have a way to opt out if my newsletter isn’t of interest or help for you.

The problem with your newsletter system is that there is no way to opt out of it. I have an insurance provider, so while you provide good content, it’s duplicated for me and not necessary. And, I didn’t ask to be signed up for the newsletter. Technically it’s illegal to not have an opt out system, but no one really does anything about it.

Hope that helps!

Point taken,  though I went to an email marketing seminar and was told that if a person gives you there business card then they have given you consent to send them emails.   But you have been removed from the list. 

So folks, there you have it. Ask permission, have an opt out option, and don’t take it personally when people no longer want to receive your content.

I was talking to a friend last week and while we were together her newsletter popped up in my inbox. I commented that I got it- and would read it later. Then she said that it had STRESSED her out and she spent almost 2 hours on it that morning.

I know that I talk about newsletters all the time, and when I’m not talking about them, I’m harassing a client to send me their content so I can get their newsletter set up and sent out. But your newsletter shouldn’t stress you out.

Here’s what: We all have typos, we all half-ass our content sometimes, we all have days we aren’t inspired. It’s OK. If you don’t tell people you have a schedule for your newsletter, you don’t have to stick to it! Last month my client emailed me and said she didn’t have a good topic for the month so was going to skip it. That’s great- not if she does it every month – but hey sometimes you need to take a break to get inspired.

Don’t stress out about your newsletter, or your content. I heard Keri Murphy speak last week, and as she spoke about the importance of video, she also talked about not sounding like a robot. No one speaks perfectly. We all pause, use the wrong word, or say ummm one too many times in our daily life. it’s OK, actually it makes people like you better, you’re human.

So take a breath, relax and hit send on that newsletter or post.