Got this the other day from former U.S. Naval Officer and leadership author Jon S. Rennie:
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“I gave Conor a tough assignment to help kickstart both my business and personal email campaigns. I was stuck and I needed professional help. He hit a home run with both assignments. He took the time and learned as much as he could about my businesses. His focused messaging with punchy copy was exactly what I needed to bring my engagement levels to record highs. I would strongly recommend Conor!”
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Thank you, Sir.
Jon’s an interesting client.
Having both commanded a nuclear sub, and led multiple manufacturing businesses since leaving The Navy, this delightful cocktail of military and corporate experience lets him distill leadership lessons in a unique and powerful way for any business owner, manager, or exec. And one thing I can say with conviction is that Jon preaches what he practices.
He lives it.
Also, his book I Have The Watch: Becoming A Leader Worth Following is excellent. I recommend you get on his email list here. (I don’t currently have any projects with Jon, so there’s no real benefit to me in saying this other than perhaps some good will. I just think his emails are worth following. Also, he sends one per week so no need to worry about being bombarded).
Jon sought my help to reengage a lukewarm list.
First, a caveat:
If your list hasn’t heard from you in more than a year or two, or ever, be forewarned that if you attempt to reanimate it, out of the dark of night zombie subscribers will emerge, long dead, lurching at you, and feening for their pound of your living flesh. Not saying it can’t be done. Just prepare yourself you may need to navigate a graveyard of high spam complaints and angry replies to get there.
Luckily Jon’s case wasn’t anywhere near that serious.
He’s got a great relationship with his subscribers.
We just needed to:
- Reintroduce some consistency – a big key to keeping folks engaged with how fast all forms of marketing and content are flying at us these days and how quickly yours can be forgotten.
- Shorten his emails a bit and make them punchier, as Jon says.
- Use more variety and contrast (story one day, Q&A the next, list of ‘what not to do’ the one after that, etc.)
- Tweak subject lines a bit to get attention – topic for another dispatch.
- Do something which is the very first thing I do whenever I take over a new list. If you do this correctly, you almost can’t help but engender a bunch of interest, reaction, replies, and appreciation right off the bat.
I’ve done this in many markets now.
It’s almost always the shot between the eyes your readers need to wake them up…in a good way, and a way they’ll thank you for. And I’ve never seen this discussed anywhere, in any of the multitude of email marketing trainings I possess in my muscular library.
What is this venerable re-engagement “trick”?
Alas, I save such things for clients only.
But there is a silver lining.
I have a spot open for 1 new client next month. If we jump on a call next week, and we discover we have a fit to work together, not only will I tell you this trick, but I’ll implement it for you.
Heck of a thing, ain’t it?
Take a look at my calendar and book your Free Brainstorm Call here:
http://calendly.com/conorkel/emailincome
It’s one small step for you, but it could be one giant leap toward keeping the zombies at bay.
Happy Engaging,
Conor Kelly