Bob Bly Direct Response Copywriter Official Banner

How to Stop Getting E-Mail Marketing Messages

July 18th, 2007 by Bob Bly

Are you sick and tired of getting hype-filled e-mail marketing messages from the publishers of all those free e-zines you read?

Here’s an easy way to stop them: don’t accept free e-zine subscriptions.

“I write my own free e-newsletter and have to desensitive myself to comments from negative readers who think all of us are writing for their benefit with no underlying profit motive,” says DE. “I love what I do, but I do it for the money.”

“Perhaps some day the complainers will understand that the purpose of a business is to create a profit. But until then,” advises DE, “they should unsubscribe from all the free e-newsletters to eliminate their frustration.”

DE’s position is clear: the “price” for getting his “free” e-newsletter is not money — he doesn’t ask for a credit card number — but permission.

Specifically, permission to send you e-mail messages about products and services he thinks would be useful to you.

Do you think this permission is a reasonable “subscription fee” for the publisher of a free e-zine to charge you?

Or do you think DE and others should offer you the option of just getting the e-zine but not the e-mail marketing messages?

Share

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 at 3:08 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

50 responses about “How to Stop Getting E-Mail Marketing Messages”

  1. 27amDotCom said:

    >> the option of just getting the e-zine but not the e-mail marketing messages?

    Sure… make it an option, but then it would come with a price tag.

    That being said, it depends on the model. If the sole purpose of my business is to keep reminding you of my coaching program or my book series or [add your selection here], then free content without the advertising revenue (ie: affiliate programs) makes absolute sense.

    However, if your business model is to build your audience (subscriber list) *specifically* to be able to develop a stream of income from the advertising that you lace through the publication, then users should have a choice: 1) pay $197 per year for that info OR 2) know that THEY are in charge of all emails they receive and simply learn to filter/delete the ad content.

    I think even the consumer has to be respectful of the publishers time. Newspapers and magazines not only don’t give you free content (ie: you have to pay your $1 – $6.95 per issue) BUT they still load their publication full of advertising. It’s business. The only way it surives is through a WIN-WIN and putting time (and possibly money) into publishing high value content on a regular basis *without* monetization strategies is absolutely foolish.

    Rob Toth, http://www.27AM.com

  2. Vern said:

    Looking at it from the point of view of the recipient, I subscribe to newsletters for information. I know that, when I subscribe to anything, there is a price to pay, vis: permission to send information, with the proviso that “propositions” are a part of that info.
    IF I get the information I want, need, can utilize, I will continue giving my permission. IF I see something ‘else’ of interest in the newsletter, I will check it out, or leave it alone.
    IF I don’t find I am getting ‘fed’, I then have the option to discontinue the newsletter.
    P.S. One of the newsletters I subscribe to had a great incentive: it asked subscribers to “fill out a survey” to acquire information that ‘we’ would like to see in the publication. In other words, ‘we’ would, in essence, write our own newsletter through ‘our’ expectations of ‘news’.

  3. Michael A. Stelzner said:

    Bob;

    I think relevance is what matters.

    If I started getting ads for flowers or mortuary services from your newsletter, rather than writing and marketing knowledge, I’d be gone quick.

    Personally, on my list, I keep everything focused on writing white papers.

    This pretty much eliminates those nasty messages.

    Mike

  4. Tim King said:

    Sure, permission is a reasonable subscription fee. And I’ve even paid that fee, for valuable information.

    And if you set my expectations up front– Make it clear from the get-go that you’ll send me free information as well as offers you think I might like. If I expect that, I won’t even be surprised.

    Of course, I’ve also unsubscribed (sometimes pretty quickly) from lists that fail to provide valuable information.

    -TimK

  5. Riel Langlois, comic book writer said:

    Permission to send marketing messages is a reasonable “subscription fee” for the publisher of a free e-zine to charge me.

    I think that customers who like your e-zine and your type of products won’t block you. I believe that the subscribers who would block you are people who wouldn’t have ordered anyway, but I may be wrong about that.

    I have a message in my inbox almost every day from Mile High Comics. It doesn’t bother me and I haven’t blocked or unsubscribed because I’m certain that one day there will be a headline that I’ll act on.

    (Also, I make note of which headlines grabbed my attention, so it’s kind of free market research.)

  6. klvnklikbt said:

    Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! qpdimbkyrag

  7. A New Twist to “Permission Marketing” — Register or Signup to Free Internet Services said:

    […] A New Twist to Permission Marketing Filed under: General Bob Bly @ 3:08 pm For years, … an organ donor card giving your consent to have your organs harvested for transplant or research … they be forced to tolerate the advertising that finances so many of their communications channels? source: A New Twist to Permission Marketing, bly.com blog […]

  8. (mobile moneymachines) said:

    (mobile moneymachines)…

    […]How to Stop Getting E-Mail Marketing Messages – bly.com blog – bly.com direct marketing blog[…]…

  9. games without frontiers war without tears said:

    i just thought that queen latifah is one of the best comedians out there, she is really funny’

  10. Anton Josephpauline said:

    Earn real money online fast and free.Tremendous issues here. I am very satisfied to see your article.It contains nice information.keep it up.

  11. Ca Mike said:

    Thanks to the article you shared that my problem has been solved, the way you share it is great, thank you for sharing this meaningful article.
    wings io

  12. Twan Grey said:

    Thanks for sharing this piece of article. Actually, it’s a new knowledge for me. It’s the first time I’m hearing about E-mail Marketing. This article helped me to understand it easily. Excellent work. Keep it up. I hope to view more data like this. agricultural technology facts

  13. Violet said:

    Internet is now a big part of our daily life, we use internet via smartphone, computer, laptop, tablet… to connect with people around the world, every public information database, you may interested in 192.168.l.l

  14. Ryan B Abraham said:

    When I read this article, I got some information about Email marketing and its benefits. Email marketing is the act of sending a commercial message, typically to a group of people, using email. Best CBD Oils You gave a brief description of how to stop getting email marketing messages, and it is effective too.

  15. hashan tagari said:

    we all know that email marketing email are head ache for us I really like your article on it.

    here I have something for you I write something on the
    bioresource technology and waste management.

    and there one tool to convert your Mp4 to mp3 converter

    And if you want to download free pc game then ocean in games is for you

  16. hictuerstol said:

    The users must accomplish the Cox Router Login step in order to set up the router and get the router network ready for accessing the internet.

    Once you logged into the Router Login Page then the registered router/modem user can set up the router for using the internet or configure the router.Cox Router Setup

  17. navyahellin said:

    This Article Carefully From Top To Bottom And Then Boom. Enjoy Your Favorite Android App Or Play Your Favorite Android Game In Windows Or Mac OS.

    Android Game In Windows Or Mac OS.

  18. Corwin said:

    We all immediately recognize the flat snoot, wrinkled face, and large expressive eyes of the loveable Pug. The Pug breed’s roots can be tracked back to Imperial China in 700 brities—from Napoleon and Queen Victoria to Andy Warhol and Rob Zombie.
    https://pugslandbreeder.company.com

  19. robert said:

    https://savannahbengal.company.com/

  20. kanejoyce said:

    My difficulty has been addressed thanks to the post you shared; the manner in which you presented it is excellent; thank you for sharing this informative information.
    slope game
    five nights at freddy’s

  21. Alfatah Store said:

    Shop online electronics Goods at Al-Fatah, Pakistan’s leading chain of departmental stores. Shop from a huge range of top brands Home Appliances, Smart-tech and Phones, and Soundbars from Al-Fatah. Shop from a huge range of electronics available at Al-Fatah. Avail Free Delivery on orders above 1000 PKR in selected cities.

  22. Best Perfumes in Pakistan said:

    RAWAHA provides you one of the best perfumes in Pakistan. We are committed to sale 100% authentic product whether you are looking for yourself or finding perfect gift for others we are here offering you a huge range of product. you may probably found all type off fragrances here.

  23. smith bend said:

    I like reading your article because it is really useful to me. slope game

  24. Nodefense said:

    Email marketing can get annoying when 20 emails come every day 🙂

  25. stickman hook said:

    I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative..

  26. Euchre game said:

    Really enjoy your post! Thanks a lot for your amazing sharing. Euchre team always support you!

  27. mapquest driving directions said:

    The site is live, where did you find out about this post? I have read a few articles on your website and I really like your style.

  28. evden eve nakliyat izmir said:

    Evden eve nakliyatta guven ve kalite bir arada. izmir evden eve nakliyat evden eve nakliyat izmiristanbul izmir evden eve nakliyat

  29. Korean Food said:

    < Steak Abu Dhabi

  30. Korean Food said:

    For the very best Korean food in Abu Dhabi check out This Amazing Korean Restaurant
    we have the best best Korean BBQ and the best
    food delivery in Abu Dhabi Soon we will be the Best Korean Restaurant in Dubai

  31. Kameron Wisozk said:

    We are the pinnacle companies manufacturing oxygen concentrator in China. We have 15 workplaces in China with 32 staff they give special attention to quality.

  32. fnaf said:

    five nights at freddy’s is one of the best role-playing horror sport of the second. fnaf sport has many ranges to play and for every stage it has its personal story to beat that stage you might want to depend on the plot and the photographs from the Digicam system to win. You may play fnaf sport instantly at fnaf world .

  33. fnaf world said:

    five nights at freddy’s is a good horror sport with loads of rolling ranges. To move the fnaf sport ranges it’s essential to accumulate all the data from the digital camera system and the plot to move. Additionally you may as well play friday night funkin it is a vibrant rhythm music sport with straightforward gameplay. fnf sport has numerous ranges with a lot of cute characters.

  34. Will Denny said:

    The general look and geared element are promoted for the agents. The reforms of the Dermal fillers yeovil are invited for the race. Rate is fit for the investigation of the top of the reforms for the citizens.

  35. Matthew Ricks said:

    I like this article, thanks for sharing this article
    Design Bravo

  36. Michael Woods said:

    I like reading your article because it is really useful to me. thanks for sharing this article Web Design Services

  37. James Martin said:

    Just wanted to let you know that I checked out your website and that I really like it and found it to be extremely useful.
    Professional Fiction Writing Service in USA

  38. Micheal Drake said:

    I was wondering if everyone can give some tips and what they believe can help get a high conversion rate with cold emails for my services.
    book marketing services

  39. Mercy Anim said:

    If you’ve heard of Mercy Anim, the so-called “elite” writer and editor, then you should watch out! This not-so-elite con artist has been targeting ghost writers and other professionals and posing as a high-profile person in order to purchase services. She claims to have plenty of payment in her bank account, but, after services have been rendered, she contacts her bank and does a chargeback in order to get her full payment refunded. We know this from first-hand experience, as we are her victims. We even have the evidence to prove it.

  40. dido said:

    I appreciate the efforts you people put in to share blogs on such kind of topics, it was indeed helpful. Keep Posting! ( percetakan jakarta & percetakan jakarta timur )

  41. Mike Rooney said:

    Awesome blog. I have read and thought about what you said. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work!Top Gun Leather Jacket

  42. udajoni said:

    nice website, i like to read the information you share, i will bookmark this and wait for next article. Thank you very much Percetakan Jakarta percetakan 24 jam

  43. spanduk rawamangun said:

    I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative..spanduk terdekat

  44. Yeezy Static said:

    In addition to its cultural impact, the Air Jordan 1 High In Yeezy Static The shoe was also released in white and black colorways, as well as a number of other color combinations. has also been credited with helping to establish the concept of sneaker collecting. The release of limited edition colorways and collaborations has made the Air Jordan 1 High a highly sought-after item among collectors.

  45. iHost VPS said:

    If you require a Windows-based Virtual Private Server (VPS) and prefer a hosting location in Canada, we have the perfect solution for you. Our Canada Windows VPS plans combine the robustness of the Windows operating system with the advantages of hosting your server infrastructure in Canada.

  46. iHost VPS said:

    Unleash the potential of applications with our cheap VPS hosting windows solutions. Experience the convenience of a dedicated environment at a fraction of the cost. Our Windows VPS hosting ensures reliability, scalability, and affordability, giving your online endeavours the edge they deserve.

  47. We Buy Dead Stocks.... said:

    Explore the bustling Sharjah scrap market, where opportunity meets sustainability. We Buy Dead Stocks is your gateway to this vibrant marketplace, offering top value for your surplus materials. As the largest dead stocks buyer in the UAE, we provide a seamless experience, ensuring your assets find new purpose.

  48. Zeeshan said:

    The story of Joker Gaming 123 is one of passion, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Founded by a team of gaming enthusiasts with a shared vision of creating a platform that would redefine the online gaming experience, joker gaming

  49. Mike Steve said:

    This post is fascinating thanks for it.
    Visit: woocommerce website design

  50. areeba said:

    “Falling into the Arms of a Mad Villain” is a theme that resonates deeply within the realm of literature, inviting readers to explore the complexities of human nature and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.rusticotv white oak global advisors lawsuit meet the press s76e49

Leave a Reply