This morning I got an email from Jason Mangrum - a fairly well known Internet Marketer. It was more of a personal note, and left me wondering what his intentions were in sending it out. I actually read back over it three times to see if I was missing something.

There was a ‘PS’ at the very end that encouraged readers to watch for an upcoming note from Jason, so I assumed that the main point of the email was to ‘connect’ with his readers and increase the liklihood of his next email being opened and read. Or perhaps he just truly had something to say, and wanted to be heard.

Either way, it worked. This is actually something I’ve noticed with my own sites, blogs and newsletters. It seems that the more personal posts or notes get a much higher response than anything business-related that I write. Just take a look at some of the more recent posts on this blog, for example. Shopping for a new Study Bible or my Brown Recluse problem are more popular posts, if you’re guaging by the comments left.

Now this was not a ‘marketing ploy’ on my part - but simply posts to my blog about things that were on my mind when I sat down to write. It’s interesting to note what gets the readers involved though, isnt it?

Along those same lines, I’ve noticed that I take a greater interest in someone’s newsletter or blog when I’ve had some type of personal interaction with them. An email, a phonecall or actually meeting in person. Once there is a ‘connection’ there, I believe you truly have your readers attention. I’ve certainly noticed that as a reader myself…

I’m sure you’ve heard how important it is to ‘build a relationship’ with your readers - whether you are blogging or building an email list. I’m not sure how much of this has to be ‘personal’ compared to meeting their needs and providing good quality information to them. Perhaps a slight mix of both… but the desired end result is to build trust, gain loyalty and keep them interested enough to revisit your site or open your emails.

I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on this. How personal is too personal? What gets your attention? What seems to get the greatest response from your own readers?

Tags: response rate, subscribers, comments, personal, relationship marketing

P.S. There is a Free Course by Lisa Preston that you may be interested in if ‘connecting with your readers’ doesnt come easy for you. She also has a product titled Instant Niche Emails that is GREAT for setting up lists/blogs in niche markets (easily). But definitely grab the free course on Lisa’s site - you’ll get some great ideas for building a solid long-term relationship with your readers

Also, here is the email from Jason Mangrum that I was referring to. Feel free to comment on that as well - it was quite thought provoking:

Lynn,

You might not want to read this letter.

I’m going through some things, and if
I “vent” a little bit, I apologize.

This is a note for your heart Lynn.

When is good — enough?

Is it ever?

Say you want to be a good person.

You think, “I want to be good, so
what do good people do?”

Now you’re thinking of the actions
of a “good person.”

So you begin to “act” like a good person.

But who says what’s good?

Where do we internalize how we should
“act” to BE a good person?

Programming.

Just like software in a computer.

Our minds are like a DOS prompt,
and we simply “exist” until someone
or some-thing comes along and types
in a few lines of code that creates
our belief patterns and restrictions,
those “code structures” that tell us
essentially how to think.

If you try to be — act like one of
the flock — the “good” people, you
spend your life seeking the approval
of other people outside of your world.

Just as sheep spend their lives doing
exactly what they’re told without question.

They’ve been “programmed” to operate
under restriction held by fear. (fear
of being ’round up’ by force if not by will)

So am I saying don’t be a good person?

Depends. Is that what you’re programmed
to think? I said one thing, and your internal
programming may have interpreted those same
words in a completely different way.

Your mind associations may be completely
different than mine. So words I say may
totally lose their true meaning to you.

You might even be thinking why in the
world I’m wasting this space telling you
all this… doesn’t make a lick of sense
does it? Maybe not to you… but there are
also those of you out there who “get it.”

Am I gonna sell something?

Let’s see… our new house is ready.

I just got “screwed” out of $5,000,
that was supposed to go toward the house.

I’m writing to you from my father’s
basement… don’t laugh too hard.

So is that ‘good?’

Or should I have never put myself
and my family in this situation?

Am I too “good” a marketer for this?

Or is this all one big lesson…?

For me… for you… you decide.

If this helps you in some way to
feel thankful for what you have
right in front of you… good.

If it makes you think I’m a “rich guy”
who’s getting his just desserts… good.

You think what you want to think.

That’s your right.

And THAT, is good.

Be well,
Jason Mangrum
2735 Walter St
Godfrey, IL 62035

PS. But is it good enough?…

PPS. Got some great stuff from my
buddy Tellman Knudson coming up
for you very soon. Watch out for it
and I promise you’ll like it.

“Big T” has some of the best stuff out there.
(just ask anyone who’s heard of him)

Here’s to better and brighter days!