Unsubscribe me

I am trying to simplify my work life.  Recently, I moved out of my office (okay - it's a cube), tossed about 6 boxes of stuff, and moved my belongings into one drawer and a laptop bag.  Next, I tackled my e-mail inbox - and discovered an interesting thing:  unsubscribe works (most of the time).  Since my spam filter actually does a pretty good job, most of the junk that gets through actually has an unsubscribe link on it.  So, I've been unsubscribing like a mad-man.

In fact, it's working so well, that I have started to just reply with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line to e-mail threads I don't care about or people I don't like.  If I get a call from a random salesperson, I just say, "Unsubscribe" and hang-up.   Boring meeting? I write "unsubscribe" on the whiteboard and walk out.  It's quite liberating, actually.

Now that permission marketing is hot, I seem to be subscribed to more marketing e-mails than ever.  But is it really working for people trying to reach me?  I don't think so - because the only ones I actually read are the e-mails that provide me significant, consistent value over time (knowledge), or are from the brands that I identify with.  So when your customers give you permission to talk to them, don't unsubscribe to the basics: only say something when you have something valuable to say, and remember that you are largely talking to your fans.

Comments

[Shaun Connolly]

LOL! I'm DEFINITELY going to use this. Comes in handy across a wide range of situations...especially the phone calls that start with: "Hello Mr....Cannoli, I'll only take a moment of your time..."

A quick "Unsubscribe me" right before I slam down the phone is what the doctor ordered. So simple, efficient, and liberating.

I've added a link to your blog from mine:
http://connollyshaun.blogspot.com

Keep the good stuff coming.

[Peter]

There's a downside to this as well. The real spammers are more than happy to get your "unsubscribe" because it lets them know that your address is live. That just results in more spam.

I recently called Bank of America after they sent me an Amex I never asked for and told them to take me off their (seemingly daily) mailing list. Gmail helps for the email, I can choose not to answer the phone when I don't know the number but it's the credit card companies that really bother me. Throwing out all that paper every week is just depressing.

Oh, and I'll try to whiteboard thing tomorrow.

[Brad]

Man - I got to try `unsubscribe' on some sales meetings!

Thanks for the tip!!