Telling a Child About Why Email Lists are Pure Gold.
I really like your cool toys!
This question in my community sparked this post.
"An email list is Pure Gold." Help me understand this—I hear some people say this very thing, and others say not to waste my time on it. Why do you believe it is pure gold? Talk to me like I'm a 2nd grader, please.
Imagine you have a big, beautiful box of cool toys.
Most people who have a business are like people standing on a busy sidewalk. They shout, “Hey! Look at my cool toys!” to everyone walking by. Some people look, some don’t, and then they all walk away. If those people walk away, they might never find that sidewalk again. They are gone forever!
But an email list is like having a special notebook where you write down the names of everyone who said, “I really like your toys!”
Here is why that notebook is Pure Gold:
1. You Own the Notebook
Imagine if you played in a park (like Facebook or Instagram), and one day the park owner decided to close the gates or told you you weren’t allowed to show your toys anymore. You would lose all your friends!
With an email list, you own the notebook. No one can take it away from you. You can talk to your friends whenever you want.
2. It’s Like a Private Invitation
Social media is like shouting in a noisy cafeteria. It’s hard to hear! But an email is like sending a private letter right to your friend’s house. When they open it, it’s just you and them talking. They are much more likely to listen to what you have to say.
3. The “Push Button” Magic
If you want to have a bake sale, you don’t have to hope people walk by. You just open your notebook, send a message to everyone on your list, and say, “I have cookies today!”
Because these people already told you they like your cookies, they will show up! It’s like a “magic button” that brings people to you whenever you have something to share.
Why do some people say it’s a waste of time?
They aren’t patient: It takes time to collect names for your notebook. Some people want results right now and give up too fast. I admit, that’s been me over the years.
They are boring: If you only send letters that say “Buy my stuff!”, people will stop opening them. You have to send them fun stories and helpful tips, too! That’s why I’m focusing on The Encore Society, it’s Fun First, Business Fast.
Why it’s “Gold” for you
Since I help people start their own businesses, I’ll say, your email list is how you stay “best friends” with them.
You give them advice, you help them feel comfortable, and when you have a new program to help them, you already have a room full of people waiting to hear about it.
So super helpful, Jim!! The analogies help me wrap my little concrete operational brain around things. Totally sparked ideas for me now. Thank you so much for taking the time to write awesome, useful, inspiring articles.