I Am Joe's Email List - An Open Letter To Internet Marketers

Lots to be learned here, if you've got a list. Treat your subscribes as above, and you'll stand out from the crowd (and rightly so).

Michelle MacPhearsons last blog post..Part 2 - Coming Soon!

Thanks so much Rick, that was beautiful! Network and business is about building relationships. I was chatting one on one with one of my newsletter subscribers the other day, and it reminds me of what you just wrote here…. He said, Tim, your e-mails make me FEEL like you are talking to just me and no one else.

When you can do that, when you can build people, your business builds itself.

Thank you,

Tim Welch

I wholeheartedly agree! That's why I'm subscribed to your list Rick, and look forward to getting your emails! =)

Ben Copes last blog post..Are Video Sales Letters the “Next Big Thing” in Marketing?

Oooh…think you started another one Rick! Except maybe you are insulting the whores? They are usually women, and at least you know what you're getting.

(Just kidding; well, mostly-sorta.)

Hooray again for Rick!

I just sent another young Guru back his solicitation letter regarding this Overblown, Overpriced New product from some "Million Dollar" Wizard. (what happened to the last Milion Dollars?)

I guess if Every Tom Dick and Harry sends me letter about
it, it has to GOOD.

But they didn't even take the time to find out if I was in the market for such information, since most of it is available for FREE all over the Internet.

Again Thank you Rick Butts for your candor and sense of Humor.
Continued Success. With your method and attitude, it is a Slam Dunk

Wow, what a powerful post. This should definitely make people think before the hit the send button. Sometimes I feel like I have to get my newsletter out - let's just throw something together. But then I take a step back and ask, "is this of real value to someone who gets it?" If you can't say yes, don't send it. We're all getting way too much email - make it of value.

Lori Osterbergs last blog post..Books on Demand

Very nice. I run a list and am guilty of not thinking about my subscribers as real people. "Subscribers" just sounds so dirty now… after reading this.

they're people. very cool.

Rick,
Thanks so much for expressing what so many of us have been thinking.
I really appreciate your perspective and honesty.
Bob

Hey Rick -

Super.

OK with you if I print this and snailmail it to some of my favorite gurus?

Steve Markowskis last blog post..Rick Butts Bitch Slaps Product Launch

THAT was beautiful.

That summed it up well without getting sidetracked on issues that are not the real point. It's NOT about John Reese or his product. Just like it was not about Stompernet in the last go-round.

It's about an avalanche of hype. Fatigue with being marketed to. Asking marketers to remember that TEACHER should be as big a part of their job title as marketer.

I unsubscribed from the 10 zillions lists I was on a LONG TIME AGO. I do not miss anything. I listen to "gurus" who teach. I love them!

Lorraine Grulas last blog post..Revver.Com: A Video Sharing Site That Shares the Profits Too.

Let the church say, AMEN!

I respect John Reese immensely but I think that I have gotten at least 150 email on this launch in the last few days! I'll be going through another round of unsubscribes this week due to all the unnecessary hype. I am tired of getting emailed about the same thing over and over and over. . .

It's kinda of sad isn't it. I'm feeling for Joe or is it I am Joe.

Rick , you've really put it in a nutshell this time. Even the "whores" as you call them (or like someone else said "pimps" which may be more accurate) must be able to see this.

Is it the herd mentality that we humans seem to gravitate to or is it that everyone needs to keep promoting with the motive of getting it returned when their own product is launched? Or is it the money? It's gotta be more than the money.

And why does Joe keep talking about this?

Seth Garrisons last blog post..Higher Self - Channelling - New Age Words Demystified

Thanks, Rick -

Your e-mail sending me here to read your post was right on. In it, right at the top, you said:

"…what I believe to be one of the most important articles I've ever written…"

And I think you're right. Yes, some of us are too young to remember the Reader's Digest series, but not me. I picked up on it right from the subject header and I'm glad I came here to read this entry.

It's EXACTLY how I feel and yes, I have been weeding out those marketers guilty of what you mention.

I like to subscribe to so many lists, because of many reasons. I entertain the notion that someday I'll actually have the savvy to write quality reviews about all the trends and latest product launches and so on, and so i like to keep up on what everyone is doing. It can be hard to write honest reviews for fear of stepping on someone's toes, but i'm finally beginning to learn (from you) that they need their toes stepped on if only to give their egos and attitudes a little tweak.

Thank you again. You're right - this may well be one of the most important articles you've ever written.

Mitch
TheSmartestThingToDo

Ahhh, it feels like I have been cleansed! Lovely…

These launches and offers are becoming so see through that they are not even funny anymore (they were at one time)

One more thing, I am NOT your friend (you don't know me) and I am absolutely not your family…so, let's leave those two ways to address me out of the picture altogether.

Friendships can be fostered, but not subscribed to!

Great post,

Hi Rick, good, useful and entertaining read!

I agree! Thanks.

Wow, I wish that I had written this email to send to my list; but wait my family and friends wouldn't know what I was talking about. No list, you see. However, if I have opted-in with my name and email and gotten on someone else's list; does that automatically put them on my list?

I could so identify with "Joe". Love the way you shake things up.

And here I had thought something might have happened to you (no posts for several days).

You've expressed yourself well - but I think you're going to get labeled a whiner on this one. In relationships, you sometimes have to take the bad with the good. If you're not getting any 'good' anymore by being on the list (no learning), then unsubscribe.

Otherwise - just take the offers as your 'tuition' for learning. Or ignore them.

And wow - you have really excelled at link bait!

Kevin Reids last blog post..Track Online Results or Pray?

Did I smell Yanik in that dive comment? I agree Rick. I am new to your stuff but in the scene for a while…. I can't help but sense that you are talkin some smack to these other IM gurus…. is that what I get out of it? I see that you are sick of the same things we all are…… Do you have some friends in the IM world if you lay smack to these others or are you not really concerned…… BTW im just asking with my above questions… and I LOVE you good wholesome content..

Rick, after visiting your blog a few times you were starting to p**s me off just a tad - your views being a little extreme for my liking and often opposed to my own.

But with this post you have redeemed yourself (not that this was your intention, I'm sure)

This was extremely well written and thought out. I personally don't mind marketers promoting other people's product launches (with affiliate links) but I do resent it if those are the only emails I ever receive from them (a quick unsubscribe from their list usually follows). I also prefer to see some evidence that the marketer has had some experience with the new product or its creator and is not just promoting it for promotions sake (or affiliate payouts sake). I think John Reese actually lessened the backlash over his launch by giving his main affiliates copies of the product to review, so they could speak with authority - good move!

The marketers whose lists I remain on are those that offer value and make an attempt to create some kind of relationship with me through their emails.

Thanks again for the post,

Lisa

P.S. You did make me chuckle with the "zero gravity dives" comment
Lisa Hartwells last blog post..Ginormous Google Keywords News

I really don't want to touch this with a 10' pole so I'll get about 9' closer so I can see the screen…

I am wholeheartedly in love with this article.

If you are trying to sell me something in your email, that is fine, I am on your list and your list is what brings in the money (for those who use lists to earn) but don't try to sell me something with every email! I fully expect a few links in the sig line of every email (smart marketing) but I want some real content - I want to learn from you!

I grabbed the free report to Learn from you. And I would like some more of the same in the emails you send out. And I am not whining either…just stating good sound advice that tells you to focus on relationships and build a list that relies on your emails to help us.

Then we will take the time to visit your blog (you do have a blog don't you?), get to know you more, and buy your products (or a product you recommend through your aff link) because we loooove and trust you to shower us with awesome info and we have learned to trust your judgment.

Suffice to say that I agree with your post Rick and I apologize in advance for composing it towards the other marketers who are bound to read it

Kudos to you,

AMEN!!!

I think I received 50 emails on the Jon Reese launch. I'm going to print them all out just to look at all the bs.

Making money on the Internet is fun but everyone needs to slow down and look at their lists.

Great post.
Jeff.

I could not have said it better myself.
I now look at what their past 3 months
emails said and if they were all sell,
sell,sell…I unsubscribe. I can't take it
any longer.
I'm not sure when this got so out of hand.
I wonder if "they" stop to think when you
buy their xyz product that it does not
authorize them to email you 10 other
offers? I think that is called spam.

Kathys last blog post..Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Start Your Own Affiliate Program Today - Promotion World (press release)

"5. Show me some stuff that made less than $1,000,000.00.
I'd be immensely interested in real world examples of success I can get my head around. I'm never going to build a big list of "biz-op" peeps and hammer them with a big JV launch. Show me how I can make $500 a week - then be able to replace my income and quit my skank job.

Amen brother.

This is exactly why I don't jump on the huge launch bandwagon like so many others. There are a few people promoting a certain product launching today who are doing it with class and honesty (Alice Seba for one) and I don't mind reading their emails. But the rest of them need to read this.

The likes of Alice, Lynn Terry, etc. don't make me feel like an idiot when I read their reviews or promotions of products, but most of the other ones do. It's like they honestly think I'm lower than them. Maybe that's just me being a whiner, but I can't help the way some of their emails make me feel.

I'm an internet marketer myself, and I don't mind being "sold to", but I don't like being treated like a list. There are human beings on the other end of it. I think a lot of marketers forget that.

Cassies last blog post..Thwirl versus TweetDeck

Joe

You are very astute. Almost as astute as Rick Butts (Rick, astute is not a bad word). With the exception of the names, 95% of all the email that clogs our inbox on a daily basis, from the IM gurus, is pure BULLSHIT.

Bob

Amen

Howdya know my nickname was "Joe"?

Brennan Kingslands last blog post..Best Parenting Post of the Day!

I like the zero gravity dive/extreme sport emails!

Once in a while I send a note to a marketer about his over-abundance of e-mails. Yes, I also send them a note to wake them up when they are pushing something I just asked a refund for last week, because it was a piece of junk.

I actually ask them if they have read this piece of junk and if they bought it before presenting it to me. If every soul on the so-called list would write a note to a marketer when the marketer's autoresponder spits out an e-mail, I bet the marketer would slow down. Just because I do not have the time to do that, I just pull a Rick Butts on them and unsubscribe.

I once received about 300 e-mail a day and many were pushing the exact same thing, with the exact same sales letter, offered at a price that was not much different. Greed has no imagination Rick. It always appears stupid with the same copy-cat copy. I am improving because of Dr. Butts. I have only received 50 today and it is 3:00 P.M. I know, I know but I am still going through withdrawal pains.

How much money do theses gals and guys think we have? This is Tuesday and there have been 6 major launches this week already. Well I should not expect any thing better because whores, pimps and the greed for money go together.

I wonder how much more of these type of tactics this industry will stand before it crumbles like Rome? Will our industry burn? Anyone want a greedy marketer on a bun?

Great article! Amen!

AMEN!

I'm getting so many AMENs on this post that I'm thinking about starting an Internet marketing church.

Of course, the whole liturgical/systematic theology setup would be a mess - but it sure worked for L. Ron Hubbard!

The good news is - I feel I've struck a chord with my readers and nearly everyone - even people with mailing lists they market to - are getting some value from the ideas.

I am humbled,
Rick

Sheer brilliance, Joe… I mean Rick.

One of my pet peeves is to be addressed as a multiple. We all read messages 1:1. It's the same as if I'm sitting down having a chat over a cuppa with you.

In fact, the best platform speakers address their audience one person at a time (a secret to appeasing stage fright. lol.). We can only really talk to people one at a time… even if there are hundreds or thousands of "us." And, we all love to feel special and important.

I like to pull in the first name code several times broadcasts. I like to imagine I'm sitting down for individual chats with every person who's chosen to entrust me with their email address.

I'm really feeling this shift more and more every day between blast marketing and relationship marketing.

Cheers,
Mari
@marismith

Mari Smiths last blog post..How Do I Make Money On Facebook? - Is The Wrong Question

REPRINT RIGHTS!

I just added reprint rights to this article.

You have my permission to use this content in an email, blog post, pdf, or article.

Just be sure to include my name is author and a link to http://RickButts.com/

Rick

Rick/Joe,

Fabulous. Great. Wonderful. All time classic.

Deserves to be reprinted everywhere!

Lowell

Lowells last blog post..Web Traffic Yes - John Reese No

Reverend Rick,

Forgive me Internet Marketing Church leader…

It's been 7 email broadcasts since my last List Confession.

While not guilty of promoting every launch under the sun, I did sneek an email out about John Reese's Traffic Secrets 2.0. His honest desire to educate, good looks and marketing charm bedazzled me. Forgive me!

I do feel that I've let my friends down however (who've asked to hear from me) by not connecting with them more often and more deeply.

I only mail periodically when something important needs to be said but I liked one of the posts above that reminded me that I'm a 'teacher.' People want direction and leadership, not the next latest greatest, quick fix of fortune and fantasy.

My first career was as a high school teacher and I got the most rewarding feelings from having someone enlightened and say, "OH….NOW…I get it!"

As penance, you'll probably request me to do 10 Carpe Diems and post more FREE stuff. So I've started already at http://www.YouTube.com/CustomerCatcher with 20+ Tips and Insights.

Peace be with you Pastor Of Email Posters,

Martin

http://www.MartinWales.com
http://www.CustomerCatcher.com
http://www.RadioTalkShowHost.com

10 Cheers for you Rick..You said it the way it had to be said. Launches come and go weekly.

Just once I'd like them to pick me as they have my email anyway and put there launch to the test first. Not someone who already has made it on the net.

Nah that would be to frightful for the guru's to ever undertake…Gee they'd have to make it work!!!

But if they are reading this I am waiting….

sainsbury1@gmail.com if you care to write me

Thanks again for a great article Rick..

Jim

Right on Rick. I have been dumping email subscriptions for weeks and will continue. If they do not provide useful information much more often than offers then asta la vista baby. Syinora. chow. arividerchi. we'll call you. have a nice day. good riddence.

My email box is a privilege.

I smell shrinking lists, reminds me of springtime.

Warner Carters last blog post..How to get more free search traffic

Good one Rick, loved Joe's email. Great advice for one and all especially for newbies starting out.

On the outside looking in.:=)

Hey Rev. Rick,

Another area for mass messaging - Facebook Groups and Facebook Fan Pages Updates. I just read an Update from an IMer that starts out "Hey Gang" UGH!!!!! Puhleaze - I am not a member of a gang, never have been, never will be. I swear, much as this guy is a sharp marketer, the message almost made me unfan the Page. lol

Cheers,
Mari
@marismith

Mari Smiths last blog post..Facebook Event Invitations - Unsubscribe Option?

Brilliant Rick. Not that I don't care what the targets of this post do with the information. But the education here for up and coming marketers is p-r-i-c-e-l-e-s-s!

You just spelled out what one needs to do to be relevant, have a solid, healthy list of FANS, and build a thriving business.

Hi Rick

Like a single light bulb shining in a world of darkness…

Butt maybe that is the topic for a different blog post. (cool)

Interesting approach Rick but it appears to be VERY effective.

Thanks and keep posting… I'll catch you when I can. Right now it's back to the beach with this awesome weather here on my Hidden Island Paradise.

Smiles :0)

Gary

Gary Grays last blog post..garydotgray: Check out my new post on my "Location Independent Living Now" blog…Subject "Brain Rules" http://snurl.com/298df

[...] READ MORE OF THIS BRILLIANT POST HERE >>> [...]

I've just finished reading the 41 comments on "I Am Joe's List" article.

Each of you has taken the time to write something clever and I'm really impressed with the creativity you showed.

Usually you see comments on blogs with a quick quip or some type of affirmation or disagreement to the post, but some of you all have written little mini-blog posts yourselves!

I'm hoping that, at least in part, you were inspired by the reflective tone of "I am Joe's Email List" and in that moment you got more creative yourself.

(see me sucking up some credit there? LOL)

All the same I am profoundly grateful for your poignant and clever words - and for the fact that my rss/email subscriber numbers went up more than 250 in 48 hours.

Now you've got me thinking now to take my own work to the next level - and what message this all is sending to me.

Gratefully,
Rick

Does that mean you're not going to promote my course for me? Bummer :p

Seriously, I agree but its also tricky. I think because we are in the IM niche and there are key players, many people are now on several lists of those guys and because they all follow PLF to the letter you can almost plot out exactly what emails you're going to get and when.

But on the other hand, affiliate marketing is lucrative. I think the key is to be unique in your marketing. I wrote about this recently on my blog and of all those things you mention above I think the worst crime is using the copy-and-paste promotional emails!

Caroline Middlebrooks last blog post..Stumble Rush Price Increases and Affiliate Program Launches Tomorrow

Spot on Rick!!!

I have a full email box everyday from the usual suspects and have to actually search for anything useful in it all - they are all the same. I have unsubscribed from at least a dozen lists in the past couple of days. I hope these 'gurus' start to getting the message soon.

How did most of us get on a mailing list? We ere offered some information we thought was useful.

So if the marketer who got me to join his list no longer offers useful information then he failed in keeping the agreement.

The lesson is for marketers, especially information marketers. You agreed to provide information of value in exchange for access to my attention.

Warner Carters last blog post..How to get more free search traffic

GREAT GREAT post Rick. You're right on here partner & that's why people love ya.

I appreciate you man and look forward to more great & insightful posts.

Be blessed my friend!

Alejandro Reyess last blog post..Protected: SMR

Thanks Alejandro & Paul - and everyone who commented here.

It's really interesting that this post and the previous one on the 12 Biggest Whores in IM is still getting comments.

Rick

Things I would like to add on as a p.s. to this letter..

PS. Joe, you and I both know that if most of the products you are pimping, uh, marketing were printed and sold in Barnes and Noble, they would be priced the same as hardcover book.

And that most of these products are less than 20 pages long. That is pretty much a leaflet. Pamphlet. Not a book. Certainly not a book that folks would pay $29.99 for. So, really, Joe… get your head off the internet and look around a bookstore once in a while. See those books that have hundreds of pages… are you SURE your products have enough valuable and original content for them to be priced as high as they are?

Just a thought Joe. I am off to the library to get me some of those books for free.

Mindy Kochs last blog post..@Rick_Butts I really enjoyed your "what if I told you the truth" blog post. Fantastically honest and personable. Another great post! (via Twitter)

Marlon rocks, there's no doubt about it in my mind!

I think Marlon is one of the few "honest gurus" who isn't in a "click" of marketers. (If he IS in a ckick, he's probably on the poopie-list for pointing out the "insiders scams"). And Marlon… that makes me feel like you care about ME more than you care about being popular (and making money from) the guru's inner circle.

Thanks for being straight-up!

Doc Myatt

Please tell me where to find your instructions about how to get my icon (or picutre) in my posts? I know you did a post on it once but I can't find it… (Dammit Marlon, I'm a doctor, not a web geek!)…;-)

Hey Dana - thanks for reminding me. I was going to post this again because so many people don't have an icon showing up for their blog posts.

(Usually because even if they DO have a favicon - it is attached to a different email address than they used to comment).

Here's the post!
http://rickbutts.com/246/gravatarscom-how-to-get-your-picture-on-lots-of-blogs/

Hello again Rick,

One question please. What is going on? I know the article on Joe's e-mail list was great but what gives.

Lately my e-mail box is crammed full of e-mails form some guy named Rick Butts! Is this a copy-cat or is it truly you? Are you trying to join the ranks of the scuzzy Gurus? Is this a big lesson or joke on all of us?

Should I unsubscribe to your list to get you to stop? Just kidding, I'm not. Pretty please, knock it off.:>)

I like you and your information but this is so unlike you that I am beginning to wonder if your record player needle (remember those?)is stuck.

Keep the good stuff coming. Its time for a new song. I will stay subscribed and hope that you will return to e-mails of value.:0) Thanks Rick!

Gary,

I'm not sure what you are talking about.

The only list I use is one that notifies subscribers when new content is posted here?

I'm sure as heck not mailing offers.

I think Gary needs to just unsubscribe to the comments.

Thank you to Kim Harrison

To EVERYONE…

Comment notifications are sent auto-magically - I'm not bombarding you with email.

One of the cool features of blogging - for helping people participate in the discussions.

You can stop getting these email updates on a per post basis by following the link at the bottom of the email notification post.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick - Great post. My favorite excerpt from your article (because I'm a copywriting nerd)…

Whenever I see the word "this" in your subject lines, like - "this won't last long" - or "have you seen this?" I know it's an offer.

Ryan Healys last blog post..What Is Hype?

Hey Ryan - yeah the word "this" is a dead giveaway. It's shorthand for "I don't have enough room in the subject line to describe the offer - so I'll bait you with a vague pronoun to get you to open the email."

I'm looking at some meeting space over at Belleview and I-25 by Pappadeaux for us to have a Colorado meetup of profit minded Internet marketers here in Denver.

Talk soon, Rick

Rick,

I apologize! Now I understand the numerous e-mails.
Thanks for explaining it. Go for it.

It is nice to see your e-mail about Joe's list become a classic of what needs to be corrected. I hope it wakes up a sleeping and obtrusive Giant!

Rick,

Over the last several months, I too have been slowly unsubscribing from email lists, mostly for the perpetual pitch (with no other value add info ever) and also aggressive techniques. I buy lots of stuff, but very very little of it is impulsive items that cost thousands of dollars. I'm a bit of a researcher and I like to check stuff out a little before I buy. But, I do buy.

I did a piece on how IMers are making some terrible mistakes marketing to women. If you want to check it out, you can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/5eyvv2. Even though I have received mucho traffic from writing that particular piece, my About Me page still ranks the highest in traffic volume. Conclusion? People care about being treated like people and want to know you as one! They don't want to be treated like a piece of meat.

Thanks for a great post. Love it!

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

p.s. For the record, I like affiliate progams. I just think their promotion should be done more skillfully within the context of a marketer's content providing. Lots of people do it and it works.

Hey Gary -

Yeah, it never occurred to me that if you were subscribed to multiple conversations when one of these comment things really took off - that you'd be getting bombarded with emails.

But, really these are only notifications. They don't require any thought, just choose to come see what's going on or not.

And, in Gmail at least, they all stack up to show multiple posts to a thread so they don't take up the whole Inbox.

Thanks
Rick

While we are venting…

There's another thing that really bothers me about getting product launch recommendations from the big guru names. I would be really pissed if I was a paying member of Immediate Edge or Stompernet and then got a letter asking me to buy someone else's product. Screw that… that's what I'm paying you for! I would expect those guys to buy the product, find the important and innovative ideas and then change what they are teaching.

Since I'm NOT a member of a guru site, I would still expect guys like Ed Dale (who I love) to focus on their product. Tell me how the new product compares to what is being taught to Immediate Edge members. Tell me why it wouldn't be better for me to just join the Edge for 4 months rather than buy John's product. But since they get paid either way, I guess they don't have to make the effort.

Richard

This is an EXCELLENT point that I hadn't considered.

If you offer a comprehensive "course" or a membership site that has a web marketing strategy you are teaching - the only reason to mail your list to try a conflicting strategy or course - is whoring out for the money.

1 - Few people have the capacity or time to do multiple strategies - at least the people buying a course to LEARN a particular strategy to make money online.

2 - If they are enrolled you YOUR system - and you encourage them to buy another one - they are 10 times less likely to do either one - overload and guilt set in as you sit down in front of your computer to figure out what to do today.

3 - I'm all for making money online - and I love making an affiliate promotion.

But how about having a central theme, something you stand for and believe in - and not just slinging out the next new shiny object for a buck.

Were you reading my mind? There was just a big product launch, you might recognize it, something about traffic. I dreaded checking my email. Even people that I normally like receiving emails from were trying to get me to purchase JR's Traffic Product.

I endured. I think the contest must be over because it's back to normal.

Thank you for speaking up for all the "Joe's" and "Jane's".

Melody Campbell, The Small Business Gurus last blog post..Affiliate Marketing: Create Multiple Streams of Income

hahahahaha….yes, this is classic.

You know, I really can't stand when people copy and past the "recommended emails". It's lazy!

Even if you are promoting something, let me know what YOU think, not what the creator told you that you think.

Product launches are pretty funny, everyone with an email from "their friend" that has the "best product to hit the net" only to get another round from the same folks next week telling me about the newest "best product on the net".

I've talked about this a few times, and I go through regular purging of my mailing lists. If all you do is promote stuff for me to buy, then I will promptly unsubscribe.

I know people will promote, it's all a matter of how. If I hit reply and you respond, I usually stay on the list a lot longer.

If nothing you send sounds like it comes from a real person, then, I find myself leaving.

There is an art to it….I just prefer to treat my mailing list the same as I do my blog readers or people in general.

I stay being myself, talk like I do, and if I think something is worth buying, I'll tell you about it.