If I had a dollar for every time an artist or maker told me that they rarely email their list because they “don’t want to bother people,” well, I’d have a lot of dollars.
But today, I want to flip this idea on its head. Because it turns out, when you don’t email your list, you’re actually disappointing the people on it. (Take that, people pleasers!)
And yes, you read that right. When you don’t email, you’re disappointing people.
That’s because the people on your list WANT to hear from you.
I know this can be a little hard to believe, especially when we’re on so many email lists, most of which we were essentially tricked into joining.
But that’s not the case for your list. The people who join your list are there because they want to know about the amazing art, craft, or handmade products you have for sale.
How do I know?
Because I’m one of those people.
I know a lot of artists and makers trust my advice because I also run a business as an artist and maker. But I think my real superpower as a teacher and coach is that I’m a massive fan and collector of art.
I know how to get inside the minds of your biggest fans and collectors because I am one.
As someone who loves buying art and craft, I can tell you I join the mailing lists of artists or makers I love because I don’t want to miss out. I don’t want to worry that I’m going to miss the next release because the algorithm didn’t show me something or because I’m taking an Instagram break.
I want to be bothered!!
When I join an artist or makers list and I don’t hear anything for months, I’m disappointed. Please, tell me when you have new work.
And even if you don’t have new work, remind me that you exist!!
If I were a more organized collector, I would keep some sort of list or spreadsheet and check in regularly on the people whose work I love.
But I’m not. Instead, I rely on the artist to remind me. After all, that’s why I joined their list!
So the next time you consider not emailing your list because you “don’t want to bother people,” remember that the opposite is true. Think of me and know that the people on your list want to hear from you!
When you don’t reach out, that’s when you’re disappointing them!
My book, The Artists & Profit Makers Guide to Email Marketing, covers everything you need to get confident in your email marketing, from getting over those fears to figuring out what to send in your emails.