Often the One-Subscriber Email CampaignPosted by Alvarado Hester on May 20th, 2021 I've heard the same complaint more times than I could count. "I know I have to do an email newsletter, but it's just not getting done." People say this month after month, every year. Mailchimp Marketing Campaign 'll admit it; until very recently, I was saying the very same thing myself. I finally made a decision to take a closer look at that which was really going on, and more importantly, how to proceed about it. After over a month of strategizing, writing lists of ideas, organizing those ideas with mind maps, and pacing back and forth, I became distressed. I wasn't making any measurable progress at all. Writing content makes no difference unless someone sees it. That which was the source of my internal resistance? As always, perfectionism was the problem. I finally deducted that, if I wanted to get things in motion, I needed to focus on small steps. Coffee at hand, I resolved myself to distribute the first email newsletter, come hell or high water. Two weeks later, I had still sent out nothing. But check here had finally identified the perceived threat: I was concerned about blowing my credibility with my entire audience in one fell swoop. I knew that most people would open the initial email just because it came from me, but what about the second email? To be able to drive repeat opens, I'd need to deliver relevance. The answer: I would send a contact newsletter to one person only. Here are a few unexpected advantages to sending out a one-subscriber campaign. Additional hints loses its power. The greater the audience, the greater the resistance. Would you favour a conversation with one individual, or stand up in front of a stadium to provide a speech? In the event that you were giving a public address, would you not feel convenient practicing the speech before your friend first? When you begin off with a small audience, you will see your fear diminishing greatly. The penalty for screwing up is virtually zero. Improve quality and relevance by getting feedback. Most likely, after you send out the first email, you will think of things you could have done better. If you send it to someone you understand well, it will be possible to require their feedback on how to improve it also. This is part of why many writers hesitate to talk about their writing. Most of us do our best proofreading after we hit the "send" button. Knowing this, we hesitate to pull the trigger. Starting with one person allows us to improve future content without making highly visible mistakes. The process gets easier after you start. Even if you only send a newsletter to a single recipient, you've done the most important part: you've started. The second step is always easier than the first step, and the third step even easier compared to the second. Once you're in motion, you might stay in motion, even if you move slowly. Any progress is a good thing. You can set up a merchant account with a mass email distribution service like iContact, MailChimp, AWeber, or Constant Contact. This sort of service will allow you to add people to your list at the rate that you select. You could add one new person to your email list per week. Or, you might start to feel confident and decide to start adding numerous subscribers. Regardless, if you simply take the initial step and send the first email, you will find your motivation a tad bit stronger than it was yesterday.Like it? Share it! More by this author |