It was just two years ago today so suddenly, and unexpectedly I lost my dear Sheila, about 00.30 Sheila had gone downstairs for a snack, I suddenly woke to a strange noise, jumping out of bed and running downstairs I found Sheila chocking on a nutragrain bar of all things, despite me performing the Hinderic manoeuvre then manually clearing her throat and performing CPR, I could not revive her.

Sheila was the love of my life, sole mate, wife and best friend. She had been so supportive in all things, even when in 1999 I started the long journey into online marketing, working full time then sat at the computer often until 3 in the morning and up again for work before 7.

Sheila and I the last photo

Sheila would proof read all my typing despite having poor eye site, correcting my grammar and spelling mistakes she knew I would make it on line. 2002 found us together 24/7 when at last I could go full time on the internet.

The next four years were good despite various health problems and family tragedies we supported each other in every aspect.

Although I consider myself a strong person on Sheila’s passing grief depression set in a big way, for months it took me all my time to just scan my email, thankfully I received very few customer service requests as even the simple ones appeared to be a huge amount of work, I had no focus at all.

Part 2 to follow the business killer…

As great as Frank is with his free masscrontrole information my personal view is he may have dropped a clanger, Responsive lists are built on trust, it is far too easy to diminish or even destroy that trust using subject lines like ‘Bad News’ particularly if it’s just a ploy to have people open the email or the content is primarily a pitch for a product.

Frank’s masscrontrole must work as I am amazed at how many experienced marketers have just sent the stock email for Frank’s video without any thought of diminishing trust, As well respected marketers some may get away with it BUT I would really suspect the unsubscribe rate to those lists will take a big jump. The bigger problem will be when marketers just building lists use this type of tactic which could virtually kill their small list and set them back months or even dishearten them enough to kill their business altogether.

Building a list with honesty and integrity does take time, for goodness sakes don’t kill your list by dropping a clanger.