Life and Blogging,My Story

Blogger Blunder – How I Lost 358 E-Mail Subscribers

posted on : September 3, 2013 posted by : sharon.kasica 0 Comment
Something simple turned out to be a Bloggers Nightmare…Fellow bloggers Don’t make the same simple mistake.

Blogger Blunder - How I lost 358 e-mail subscribers. Don't let it happen to you!


I still consider myself a “Newbie” blogger with a ton to learn…One of items on my summer to do blog list was to set up a newsletter for my readers.

I read numerous reviews on several email programs and fell in love with Mail Chimp.  Some of my favorite bloggers use Mail Chimp and I adore the professional look of their e-mails.  I decided to take the plunge.

source

The directions from Mail Chimp were simple to follow and before you knew it…I had my First Newsletter ready to go….click….off to my 358 readers! I was thrilled as I placed a big, fat, red check-mark next to this task. (the teacher in me) Joy pumped through my veins.

I basked in the positive feedback I received over the next few days from friends and family telling me they loved the email.

Then I saw the dreaded email staring at me in my inbox.  My heart sank as I read the subject line MailChimp Compliance – Account Has Been Shut Down

WHAT??? WHY???? HOW???? 

My first instinct was to blame someone….something… Who in the WORLD had reported my cute newsletter as SPAM? DEVASTATION seeped through my heart… After reading the “shut down” email several times, following up on the reports I had to fill out…I figured out that a simple mistake, I made, was to blame.

I Heart Mail Chimp

First, I must say I LOVE Mail Chimp!!  Mail Chimp had nothing to do with my losing 358 email subscribers…that was all me…

When importing my CSV file from Feed Burner to Mail Chimp I assumed ALL those Email addresses were verified but they were NOT! Instead of deleting the unverified addresses (THERE WERE ONLY 10)  I imported ALL of them and sent emails to a few people who had never verified their email address…flagging me as a SPAMMER.  Boo…Hoo!

The Aftermath

Well… I hoisted up my boot straps and realized that in the BIG picture of life…this was not that HUGE of a deal.  (I have been dealing with some serious stuff in my non-cyber life, helping me with priorities) 
YES I had to ask ALL of my subscribers to re-subscribe. But guess what…over 180 people did!
That told me that they REALLY want to hear from me and that makes me EXTREMELY THANKFUL! Now my open rate wth the emails is very high because I have subscribers that had the option to think twice before allowing me into their In-Box. 

Lesson learned

I still HIGHLY recommend the switch to Mail Chimp! That Monkey sends some adorable e-mail in a few simple clicks. 
Just be sure to do the following before sending out that first e-mail:

  • Make sure your CSV file ONLY has verified subscribers!
  •  Delete any unverified subscribers before importing to Mail Chimp
  • Follow the Chimp’s Step by Step Instructions.
  • Take your time…don’t get so excited you rush…like I did!  
Do you want to stay connected so you don’t miss a thing? Sign up below!

* indicates required

/ ( mm / dd )

Thanks for Reading!
xoxo

 

~I May Be Linking Here~

About The Author

sharon.kasica

Related Posts

Books to Ease Back to School Jitters

Friday Favorite Five Hi Ho… Hi Ho… it’s off to work…

August 16, 2013

Feature on “Better After”

Certain things can make me smile ear to ear…that’s what happened…

March 21, 2013

COMMENT

  1. Unknown | 3rd Sep 13

    What a nightmare. When I saw the email asking to resubscribe I wondered what happened. I am so glad you where able to get most of us back and receiving your posts once again.
    I know this sounds crazy but your plead to readers to resign up inspired me to learn more about my own feed.
    Glad all turned out well.
    Traci

  2. Unknown | 3rd Sep 13

    Oh how sad, Sharon! You can be happy to know that all your "new" subscribers REALLY want to be on your list! I recently switched to MadMimi from WordPress subscriptions, and I'm glad I did. Now that I can see my email stats though, I know that most of my emails aren't even opened. Boo.

    With MadMimi, I was able to turn on one-click sign ups, so there is no verification email sent. I'm wondering how Mailchimp knew that those addresses were not verified if it was a Feedburner process. It seems like verification might be optional.

    I'm glad you got it all straightened out, and I'm sure some of first crew of subscribers will still come back!

  3. Tania Pelletier | 4th Sep 13

    Oh no! That sucks! I did something similar and wiped out all my pictures from my blog! I've been having to go back to each and every post and update it to put the pictures back in. :o(

    Tania

  4. Emily Thompson | 4th Sep 13

    wow! Thanks for the tip! I haven't make the switch yet, but I probably should ;o) Thanks for linking up to Nap-Time creations! Really appreciate it! EMily

  5. Christine @ Rustic-Refined | 4th Sep 13

    Ohhh that stinks! I've been thinking about going over to Mail chimp so thanks so much for the tip. I'd be curious to know (for your benefit) if you could try and import your old email subscriptions again or if it will only let you do it once…ya think it would! (If Mail chimp was run by women it would, LOL!)

  6. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 4th Sep 13

    Thanks Andi! I'm still on Blogger but some day I'll make the switch to WordPress.
    Mail Chimp gives great data as well.
    I hate when the emails aren't ever opened…but people are busy I guess!
    Thanks for reading!
    xoxo

  7. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 4th Sep 13

    I'm so glad my pleading worked Traci and that you resubscribed!
    xoxo

  8. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 4th Sep 13

    Mail chimp is FANTASTIC Christine! I would make the switch. One of the unverified email addresses was an agent that checks for SPAM emails (lucky me) If I had just deleted those 10 unverified address NONE of this would have happened. Oh well…live and learn as my Nana used to say!
    So glad you read this before you make the switch!
    xoxo

  9. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 4th Sep 13

    You should switch Emily. The emails are so professional and easy to do! Just don't make the same silly mistake I made!
    Thanks for hosting! I LOVE your Blog ~Nap-Time Creations!
    xoxo

  10. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 4th Sep 13

    Oh that is terrible Tania! How did that happen? Another blogging nightmare!!
    Thanks for reading!
    xoxo

  11. cooking with curls | 4th Sep 13

    I am terrified to change anything, I know that I would do the same exact thing that you did 🙂 There is so much to learn and each company/service has all their own rules!!! I'm glad you're getting your subscribers back 🙂

  12. Samantha @ Five Heart Home | 5th Sep 13

    What an ordeal, but you have a really good attitude about it! Thanks for sharing. I'm sure you'll save countless others from making the same mistake!

  13. Unknown | 5th Sep 13

    Thanks for this great info! I've Pin'd & shared it on Sverve =) Have a great one! =) Marcy @ day2day SuperMom

  14. Unknown | 6th Sep 13

    Oh wow! I am so glad so many people resubscribed! I would have been devastated too. Thank you so much for the information!

  15. Wendi@H2OBungalow | 6th Sep 13

    Yikes! I'm so thankful you shared that information! I've been thinking about switching early just to avoid issues! I did with Blogger to WordPress and was glad I made the switch. Have a great weekend 🙂

  16. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 7th Sep 13

    Thanks!Getting closer to 200…slow and steady. It is worth the switch…now that you know not to be silly like me!!
    xoxo

  17. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 7th Sep 13

    I appreciate you saying that Samantha. It was a careless mistake and afterwards I felt pretty stupid…but if sharing the embarrassing mistakes helps others…I'll share!
    xoxo

  18. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 7th Sep 13

    You are the BEST Marcy AKA "Super Mom!
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Thanks for coming by!
    xoxo

  19. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 7th Sep 13

    Glass half full approach…now my open and click rate is very high.
    Live and Learn!
    Thanks for reading Kate!
    xoxo

  20. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 7th Sep 13

    You should try Mail Chimp Wendi! I LOVE it…Can't wait to see you in a few weeks!
    xoxo

  21. April | 7th Sep 13

    That sucks about losing your email subscribers. I've been thinking about switching over to Mail Chimp, I love the look of their newsletters. I'll definitely make sure I remove any unverified subscribers from my Feedburner account first! Thanks for the tip, and for sharing this at my Saturday Spotlight party. 🙂

    April

  22. Jocelyn | 7th Sep 13

    Good to know about Mail Chimp, and thanks for the info about what not to do!

  23. Kyra @ Caramel Potatoes | 8th Sep 13

    So sorry you lost your subscribers. You are angel for sharing this with the rest of us who are contemplating the move! Thanks for the warning!!

  24. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 9th Sep 13

    I think you'll be really happy if you make the switch April! Just learn from my silly mistake and remove those unverified subscribers!
    Good Luck!
    If I can help in any way please let me know!
    xoxo

  25. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 9th Sep 13

    No problem Jocelyn…I have no problem telling people what NOT to do!! : )
    Thanks for reading!
    xoxo

  26. Sharon ~ Life After Empty Nest | 9th Sep 13

    It's ALL Good Kyra…I have close to 200 again…slow and steady!
    Thanks for stopping by!
    xoxo

  27. Unknown | 9th Sep 13

    Oh no! Thanks so much for sharing your mistake though. You will get them back, shortly, I am sure 🙂

  28. Marie-Interior Frugalista | 9th Sep 13

    Thanks for the tip Sharon! I've been toying with the idea of switching so this is timely advice. I found you over at Classy Clutter and glad I did.
    Marie@InteriorFrugalista

  29. Nicole Underwood | 13th Sep 13

    awww, dang! I'm glad it all worked out though.

  30. Unknown | 15th Sep 13

    Being a newbie myself, I just sent my first email through MailChimp. I used the information gleaned from my Linky Party attendees. To be fair to them, how do I know if they want to "opt" in the future? If they are interested in posting, would this also be a sign that they want to attend again? Just wondering.

  31. Unknown | 22nd Sep 13

    thank you for your story! I just switched and all's well 🙂

  32. Elizabeth (Rock-A-Bye Parents) | 5th Oct 13

    Oh wow thanks for the information! I need to do this soon, and I probably would never have thought about that. Thank you so much for sharing your story to help the rest of us! Visiting from the Saturday Pin-It Party.

  33. Missy | 6th Oct 13

    Yikes! I would have cried! Thanks for sharing such useful info!

    I found your post on MamaGab's Pin-it Party.

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *