Definitely NOT the way to do it...
How did Traffic Generation Cafe go from a brand new blog nobody ever heard of to having thousands of daily readers and Alexa rank of under 23K in 4 short months?
I already told you about my Twitter traffic generation secrets and here is yet another one.
This post comes as a response to an email I’ve recently received:
Hi Ana,
Just thought I must share something with you…maybe you’ve even written about it.
Isn’t it amazing how many people with affiliate programs don’t respond to email sent to the email address they send auto responders from?
I’m building a dog training site (since I’ve been doing it for more than 20 years…go figure!) and recently wrote an email to a person I signed up under as an affiliate requesting to insert a space between a comma and the next word in a banner.
That was actually two weeks ago…still no reply, yet the auto’s keep coming! If I was not in IM, I would’ve thought she’s not replying on purpose.
Why write all this to you?
Because I am always surprised to get a reply back from you…and to say thank you and that you are a very good example to me of how IM should be done…personally!
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Johan
You can see why I loved this email – thanks, Johan! 
The truth is I receive these kinds of emails on a daily basis.
As of right now, I have a list of about 1,800 subscribers.
Would it surprise you to learn that I know many of them by name? I know what businesses they are in, how many kids they have, what their daily struggles are?
And now that you know that, are you still surprised that I have such a loyal readership and presence in the community?
Every new subscriber on my list gets a PERSONAL email from me. Not a canned Aweber autoresponder email (although they do get one of those as well ), but a personal message to welcome them to my blog and list.
It’s not long, it doesn’t say much… However, how many of those do you get from other bloggers and internet marketers whose list you subscribed to?
Exactly!
My dear readers, standing out of the crowd is not that difficult.
Free marketing training is great, but some things are just common sense.
All you need to do is say Hello to someone. Ask them how they are doing. And write back when you get an answer. That’s all.
Treat your readers and subscribers like they deserve to be treated – as a PERSON and not a mere number you can sell stuff to.
Love it or hate it? Comment to show me that you’re alive!
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Ana has written 253 great posts for Traffic Generation Cafe.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
This is so refreshing. It’s really basic, yet so few internet marketers take the trouble to apply it. Sign up for information on a specific topic and suddely you are being “sold” on a multitude of other products, often only very loosely related. Glad I found your blog, Ana.
Patricia Howitt invites you to read: Photo Editing Free Photos – Flowers Vireya
Welcome to my site, Patricia. I am glad you find the information helpful.
Ana,
The people I buy from are like you. They provide great content and they respond to my emails. During courses they take the extra time to really help me.
It would be easy to hide behind the computer but that would not be very successful.
Sheila Atwood invites you to read: Premium WordPress Plugins – Amazon Affiliates Rejoice!
That’s exactly what makes a difference, Sheila!
Always enlightening, Ana. Thanks. Your blog will help me go up the leanring curve a bit faster.
Steve
Steve Stillwater invites you to read: Solving the World Energy Problem- Part 2
Anytime, Steve!
Thanks for leaving the comment; it’s always nice to see life around here.
Ana
Hi Ana,
standing is out from the crowd is really not that difficult. Absolutely true. It’s simply about doing tiny little things a little bit differently.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read: Think And Grow Rich – The Brain – Lessons From Chapter 13
Everyone talks about using “systems” and that the success lies in a “system”.
I say a system will get you nowhere, since that’s what everybody else is doing.
I say take a system and think outside of it; make it work for you and use it to help you stand out, not blend in.
Thanks so much for coming by, Oliver!
Ana
i bet you have the fewest un-subsribers in the business because of the caring and attention you give your list. I’m impressed.
I have found that keeping a good balance between information, freebies and promotions are also a way to keep folks loyal. From experience… I know what it’s like to be bombarded with promotion after promotion. I eventually get tired of it and opt-out.
I find that the abuses seem to come from old Guru marketers. They don’s seem to understand about relationship marketing. You can’t abuse your list anymore than you can abuse your family and get loyalty and respect.
Thanks for the post Ana
Kathryn Griffiths invites you to read: Is The Difference Between PageRank and Search Rank Clear In Your Mind
You are so right, Kathy – it seems like the more successful they are, the less they care.
Well, we have news for them: we will continue to opt out if they have nothing but dollar signs in their eyes.
It’s imperative to find balance between promotions and value and going with MUCH more value is never a bad thing to do.
Thanks for stopping by, Kathy – pleasure to meet you!
Ana
Ana,
You never cease to amaze me, both with your quality and you caring.
Sheila
Sheila Atwood invites you to read: The Weekend Web – Backlinks
Thanks, Sheila.
It’s easy to care once you know WHO you care about.
When you come to my blog regularly, I can’t help but learn more about you, your opinions, your blog, your heart. It’s true. Caring comes very naturally if you only pay attention.
I wish more bloggers would do what you do on your blog and on Twitter, Sheila – the failure rate would be far less!
Ana
Hey Ana,
It’s no brainer at all! This is about reaching out, connecting with your prospects and readers and you are such a perfect example.
I don’t understand how most internet marketers make it by just using auto responders and not even replying to their subscribers.
I’m with Heather here… I’m interested in your daily routine… How do you keep up with everything and being a mum and a wife? Very curious… Another blog post idea for you?
You ROCK girl, your blog is absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep up the good work!
Mavis Nong
Mavis Nong invites you to read: Focused Magnetic Energy Attraction Marketing Success
It sounds like a no-brainer, but so few are doing it!
Go figure…
You did give me an idea for a post, Mavis – let’s see how soon I can get to it.
You are one of my biggest fans, Mavis, and I always much appreciate all your support!
Ana
You’re welcome, Ana! I also appreciate all your help and support
Mavis Nong invites you to read: Blog Traffic- How To Attract Even More Traffic With This Cool Plugin…
Ana,
Once again you’ve managed to impress the heck out of me. I had no idea that this blog is only 4 months new. Boy, do I still have a lot to learn! I take my hat off to you!
You make an excellent point. To me it’s common sense. Treat people as you would like to be treated yourself. It’s that simple really, and yet so many people neglect to abide by such solid and logical advice.
I personally don’t have a newsletter yet but I DO reply to every single email I receive and every comment I get. Not to mention the Retweets
. I also try to include a little note in certain retweets that I send out – telling others what to expect.
This is how I see it: If someone has made it to your blog and has shown interest in you or your work by leaving a comment then by all means accord them the same time and respect. REPLY!
I understand that their are blogs out that that get 200 comments a day if not more – and that it must be overwhelming to reply to each individual one – especially the effortless drive-by’s. But one can still try. There’s nothing more discouraging than visiting a blog post that has 80 comments but not one single reply. Regardless of how interested I am in the topic, I’m may shy away and not even bother to leave my 2 cents thinking that they won’t bother to reply anyways so what’s the point.
All that to say, NO I am not surprised to know that you know the names of most of your subscribers and that you send them personalized emails! And therefore am not surprised to see the loyal readers that you have gained over these short months – including ME
.
You’ve done a hell of a job here Ana and you continue to do so everyday. It’s always a pleasure and a beneficial experience to stop by here and see what’s new!
Cheers to your continued success.
Ingrid Abboud invites you to read: nittyGriddy is 1 Year New! Happy Blogoversary!
Thanks so much, Ingrid!
I must say I absolutely love reading your comments; it’s like reading a post within a post!
I absolutely agree with you: I don’t leave comments on blogs that don’t return them – makes me feel that no one cares to hear my opinions, so why bother? I would do it for link building however.
Putting your personal touch on everything you do is the name of the game, although “game” is definitely not the right word here.
Have a wonderful weekend, Ingrid, and look forward to seeing you soon.
Ana
What a novel idea!
Thanks for coming by, Karen!
Hey Ana,
Getting close and personal with your readers and subscribers is exactly what one should be doing. I’m getting a lot of e-mails sent by autoresponders and not by real people. Of course there’s nothing bad in that as long as when asked, you are ready to answer every question. Leaving your list to be handled by autoresponders only is just unprofessional and shows that you just want to sell some products and nothing more. Your strategy is awesome and it is great that you devote time to make some real interaction with your subscribers. That’s what makes a difference.
Daniel Sharkov invites you to read: The Power of Backlinking as an Off-Page SEO Technique
Thank you, Daniel; it makes all the difference in the world to know that I am on the right track.
Nobody likes to feel like we are one of thousands; we want to feel like one of a kind.
Ana
Ana,
I so completely agree with all of this – and then to see the level to which you have taken it – and how meaningful that is – this just shows what IS possible when we take care and concern to a deeper level.
While I did not do this when I first started out, it’s something I really focus on now, and have for quite some time. What is has meant, is that visitors are so much more than a number…they become friends, partners, a “name”….
Good, good stuff – and just what I needed to read on how to take this to an even deeper level of connection…
Lance invites you to read: The Road Not Taken
There is nothing new under the sun in business, is there, Lance? Just mostly common sense and taking forgotten things to new levels.
Who would’ve thought that simply saying Hello would take my blog to new levels? Yet it did.
Look forward on discovering new ways to rise above my competition and keep me updated on yours, Lance.
Ana
Hey Ana,
You stated a very good point in this post, many people ( just like I did when I first started) think that they can sit behind a computer and have this kind of business and never really talk to anyone and make millions. Well as we all have learned hard lessons; this is one that I learned.
I found out by just reaching out and giving people a ” Hi, Hello or How are you?” starts the building of what many times becomes a great friendship. Without this friendship and talking to other people that have the same interests as you do, you start struggling in getting certain tasks or projects done; which brings frustration and loneliness.
People want to talk with people, get ideas and share thoughts with other people not a computer auto responder….( I use them but I also pick up the phone and call people and respond to their messages or emails).
You are right when you say this is a way that you can stand out from the others in a crowd just by doing this one simple thing.
Thank you for the great post and reminder!
It’s amazing how huge of a difference just saying Hello makes, isn’t it, Robert?
No man or woman is an island; that goes for internet marketing as well.
Nobody wants to do business with a computer screen.
Have a blessed day!
Ana
Thanks Ana:-)
I love all the tips that you sent my way! I remember reading your blog when you first started and now look at you go! Blessings with Increase!
Rona MacFarland invites you to read: My attractive traffic tips
Thanks for remaining such a loyal reader, Rona – it is readers like YOU who made my blog what it is now!
Have a blessed day,
Ana
Hi Ana,
You do rock at spoiling your readers with personal attention! I’m loving your idea of personally emailing everyone! You’re also so great at answering all the comments on your blog. I don’t know how you keep up?
I’d love to know your routine, schedule, or whatever your secret is to staying on top of everything, producing fantastic content, and growing such a fantastic blog quickly!
Heather
Heather C Stephens invites you to read: Network Marketing Prospecting and Sponsoring Lessons I Learned from an Embarrassing Moment
Thank you so much, Heather!
My secret is that there is not secret… but you knew that already!
I try to prioritize on a daily basis and not get overwhelmed with “little things”.
That’s about it.
Other than that, I work about 3 full days per week while my daughter is in school and at night in front of the TV.
Ana
Ah, the personal touch. It’s often overlooked, but never by the people on the recieving end.
It’s hard work though, so I understand why not everyone goes in for it.
Andy invites you to read: We Investigate Google’s Alleged Abuses of Power
It’s definitely not easy and takes commitment, Andy.
However, I’ve seen the fruit of this effort and will stand by it.
Thanks for coming by!
Ana
Hi Ana
I sure appreciated your email when it came. When I send out products my customers have bought from me, I send a personal message in the card that I pop in with the products. If they are regular readers and commenters on my blog they get a surprise gift too.
Treating others as we hoped to be treated is so easy isn’t it. We all like to be appreciated and I reckon you have that one well covered Ana.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia invites you to read: So Little Time- So Much To Do
Thank you, Patricia!
With personal internet marketing everyone wins, no question about it. That’s what makes or breaks a business.
Ana
That is awesome stuff there Ana, thanks for sharing. I am glad I found your site =)
You are very welcome, Ray.
Glad to see you are becoming a regular around here!
Ana