This past week, I setup a meeting with a prospective client who is interested in starting a podcast. She and I have gotten along famously, and truth be told I hope she goes through with it because I think she'll be really good at it and a lot of fun to work with.

And trust me, I don't say that about every prospective client ha ha.

Well seeing how things have gone so well to this point, I decided it was time to pop the question.

"Do I have your permission to add you to my email marketing list?"

I guess I assumed she would say yes because of the rapport we've established, but she said no. She already gets way too many emails and is looking to pare down and focus on things that are really important.

I'm glad I asked.

Maybe she'll want to be added sometime down the road, maybe not.

But this experience reminded me how important it is to not send any type of marketing materials without people's permission.

All the email autoresponders out there have what is called "double opt-in" meaning even after someone enters their email address to get a free PDF, or whatever someone is offering as a giveaway on a web page, the new subscriber will get an email asking them to confirm their subscription.

So people will enter their email address, and then confirm it in their email inbox; hence the term "double opt-in".

The important thing is that everyone on that list actually wants to be there, and has stated twice they want to receive emails from that person.

Seems like a good way to go about doing business.

But not everyone sees it that way. 

Years ago, I responded to an ad for a podcast production company that was looking for some help. It was a company I knew, and I trusted its founder based on what I had seen and heard from him with his various online activities.

I never received a reply to my email inquiring about the job; but next thing I knew I was getting emails from him that were obviously sent to a marketing list promoting coaching services on how to get new clients.

That was really disappointing because I had a lot of respect for him based on some of his clientele and positive interactions I'd had with him up to that point.

I guess not everyone sees things the way I do. And truth be told no real damage was done with that, nor from people who are overly aggressive with their email marketing for that matter.

But honey will catch more flies than vinegar, as the proverb says. If you want people to buy from you, be it with their money or time, it's probably best to make sure your message is not being received while the hearer is gritting their teeth.

Speaking of things to hear, I've just completed a new recording project and I want to share it with you. It's an audio version of Napoleon Hill's book Outwitting the Devil. Imagine Think and Grow Rich and The Screwtape Letters and you have Outwitting the Devil. It's what I'm currently offering new subscribers to my email list, but since you're already here, I want to share it with you. It's a great listen and might open up some new ways of thinking about success and failure.

Here's the link to listen: https://energeia.live/outwitting-the-devil-audiobook/

You can also listen on your preferred podcast player. Instructions on manually entering the RSS feed into the player are on the page.

Enjoy!