How to cure the curse of the list lurkers

I’ve subscribed to countless marketing email lists in my time.

Seriously, way more than is healthy.

I’m a nightmare for many a business owner because I like to keep an eye on what’s going on in the market and on top of what’s working and not.

(Plus, there’s no way I could afford the time or the money to buy the hundreds of different offers I see every week!)

But every now and then, something catches my eye.

And this morning, a simple two-line missive did just that.

Subject Line:

all good Stuart?

Yo Stuart,

I noticed you've been on my list since 19/03/2023 but you're still not at $10k/mo yet, how come?

As offensive as this email is, you can’t deny it’s effective.

Because it will trigger one of two reactions:

• A tonne of unsubscribes who’ll probably share an even more brief (and marginally less polite) reply on their way out the door
• A tonne of replies begging for help from this particular bropreneaur.

It’s the email marketing equivalent of Sh*t or get off the pot.

And this is exactly what they want—fewer unengaged subscribers, freeing up space and boosting sender reputation with their ESP, and maybe a boost in income from those unfortunate folk who beg for help to achieve $10k/month “success.”

As effective as it is, it’s an email I’ll NEVER write either for myself or for a client.

(So don’t ask)

Because here’s the thing… Touting claims of $10k/month for just a few hours of work a day is a pipedream for most.

Have people done it? Of course. Will everyone? Of course not.

It’s dangerous and disingenuous to be selling your products with these claims unless you’re able to guarantee it, and it’s certainly something various governments across the globe are taking a stand on.

There is no “proven system to success” in any industry.

Success is a mixture of luck, skills, strategy, and damn hard work, and promising them to all who come your way is not a sensible business strategy.

But also, I wouldn’t put my name to something punching down on people getting started in the industry.

I’ve worked hard for my reputation, and this is a reputation killer.

(I mean, there isn't even a Call To Action)

So, how do you get subscribers to finally take the plunge and buy?

Well, first of all, you have to accept that some people will never be ready.

Either they don’t have the time, the money, or the will to make it work.

They might be more than happy to simply dream of what life could be, knowing full well they’ll never take that first step.

But if you truly want to help people and your course or coaching programme is capable of helping them, then it’s down to you to inspire them to take action, not shame them for not being ready.

And if you need help with that and you want to keep your reputation intact, well, get in touch.

You sound like the sort of client I can work well with.

Stuart

Punching Up