Houston, I have a problem. It's my pathetic email list. And if all problems really are just opportunities in disguise, I've got a heck of an opportunity here.
I should be ashamed. Scratch should be. I am. One big area of my web presence that I've chosen to ignore for the last year is my email list. Just as "if you build it, they will come" does not apply to your website, the phrase also does not apply to your email list. I built my website and I built my MailChimp account, but the subscribers have not come. Nor should they have. I've done nothing to encourage them to sign up.
That changes starting today.
Building the Email List
Over the next few weeks and months, I will be diligently working to build my email list. Sometimes I will succeed. Sometimes I will fail (but hopefully learn something in the process.) As I go along this journey, I'll keep you posted on my progress. We'll go over what worked, what didn't work, and what might work better with a little tweaking.
I have plans in mind. I even have programs that I've executed for other businesses. I've just never used them for myself. My thought, I guess, was that between my live events, blogging, and Facebook posts, people were getting to see a fair amount of my material. I didn't need to worry about my email list. Well, Tracy, that's just wrong. And you know better.
To make things worse, I have ignored those people who are on my email list by not reaching out to them. What a wasted little resource.
Confessions of a Tiny Email List
My email list count as of October 5, 2014
This is embarrassing. My email list is currently at 6. Yes, six people. My mom isn't even signed up for my email list. That might be the most embarrassing thing.
Watch for posts about ideas, attempts (both successes and failures,) and tools having to do with growing your email list.
The Quick Takeaway
I need a bigger email list. So do you. Let's get to it.
"Problems are Opportunities" by Dona Grayson (Bright Vibes) is licensed under CC BY 2.0