Do You Have Good Follow-Through?
This isn’t another sales tip on how you should follow up an initial sale with a back-end off. Nope, this is more important and more personal.
Honestly, I wasn’t even going to post today; so much to do ya know.
However, I received an email today (Nov. 4th) that nearly knocked me off my seat…and a big bang that woulda been!
The following email is from Nick at romandock dot com, and that’s all the lead in it needs. Read the email and quickly see why I think Nick truly has what it takes…..
“You may or may not remember this, but on October 11 you left a comment on a post of mine inquiring about subscribing to romandock dot com via email. Well, I finally got that set up and the option is now available.
To subscribe via email, simply browse to any page at romandock dot com and click “Email RSS” at the very top of the page.
I look forward to many more great comments from you in the future. Thanks for your interest and for subscribing.
Nick”
Honestly Nick, I did not remember. I will remember you from this day forward though! And you may indeed look forward to more comments, that’s for sure. 
—————————————-
THAT ladies and gentlemen and bloggers of all ages, is FOLLOW THROUGH.
3-nearly 4 weeks later, I receive a personal email; it’s quite clear that Nick “gets it”.
Do You?
I’m off to subscribe and get back to the work at hand.
Never stop pushing forward!
Dennis
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Tags: blog commenting, Email Marketing, Email subscribers, RSS, Sales Tips
Jaq @ Net Age Web Design
Kev
Latief@AnotherBlogger
sherry
November 4th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Thats pretty cool that Nick followed up with you. I’m kind of bad for follow through myself eventhough I do try at times by going back to blogs commnting and leavin an option if needed.
Bruno Auger´s last blog post..How to Advertise yourself through Social Networking
almir Reply:
April 24th, 2009 at 10:45 am
@Bruno Auger, i think following through is the best thing you can do as a blog owner . I have noticed that many blog owner’s do comment after or reply to their commentators. I assume its really an effective method to continue on doing which shows that you are alive and that your blog has a real voice.
almir´s last blog post..Vital Tips That Can Aid Any Blogger
November 4th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
That’s business and it just reminds everyone that caring about your readers is the #1 priority, no matter what you do! You see, he’s getting a plug with your post here!
Ben Tremblay´s last blog post..frupdates: Some updates from the frog
November 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Holy crap you guys, were you sitting on my blog?! LOL Mere seconds upon posting. Very cool.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Bruno - Our best try is all we can do! I’m not sure I understand what you mean by “leaving an option”?
November 4th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Ben - #1 it is my friend, that’s for sure. And yes, as you can see I am quite appreciative!
November 4th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
My follow through for blogging comments, at minimum, is done via replying on my blog, but I also do my best to get around and make some good comments on the commentators’ blogs as well.
My tennis follow through, however, is a work in progress.
~ Kristi
Kikolani | Poetry, Photography, Blogging Tips´s last blog post..People Come Into Your Life For A Reason
November 4th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
That’s excellent Kristi, what about normal business activities?
November 4th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
That is respect. More and more businesses would benefit more if they follow Nick’s approach.
Thanks for informing me with this.
Matt
November 4th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I must say that I am very impressed on what Nick had done. That’s an excellent way to follow through and a good technique to foster relationship with your commentators. Let me head on and check what’s on Nick blog now.
Wei Liang | ABloggerBlog´s last blog post..Lesson 16: Comment Marketing
November 5th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I admit, I’m not really good at this one. I’ll try this and see the result
thanks Dennis
Acakadut´s last blog post..Elizabeth Banks Exposed!
November 5th, 2008 at 1:52 am
That’s what I call “visitors’ appreciation at its best”. I’d be more impressed if it is not automated…;)
Yan
Blog for Beginners´s last blog post..Google Debunk Webmasters’ Myths
November 5th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Yeah, I must admit, with all the phishing emails I get these days, if I didn’t remember leaving the initial comment, I’d have been inclined to simply delete the email. Sad I know, but this is the online world we live in…
Blogging with WordPress´s last blog post..WordPress Roles and Capabilities
November 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am
You’re welcome Matt and you’re absolutely right. It doesn’t take a whole lotta time and it will come back to you 10fold.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Wei - Yes indeed, in fact a good way to foster relationships in any business model.
Good to hear you’re checking him out, he’s got some nice stuff there.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Acakadut - Definitely give it a go; check out my reply to Matt and let me know how it works out in the future.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Yan - Did ya read it? I don’t see how that could be automated to be honest.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Rodney, welcome!
Normally I would agree 1000% or more. Never never never ever click an unknown link in an email!
Well for starters, there was no actual link in the email; I linked it in the post to give him credit. LOL
Seriously though, even though I didn’t remember his particular blog at the time, I comment or email every blogger I read if they don’t offer email (or a subscribe to comments plugin).
I knew it was ok and it took but a second to look it up and remember.
Btw, I just subscribed to the Hippo, good stuff there.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Wow! I never expected a whole post just because I sent such a short quick email
@Yan: I assure you that the email I sent was not automated.
@Dennis: Thank you for the mention and support. Also, thank you for being the “kick-in-the-pants” that I needed to start using Feedburner and offering RSS by email.
Nick´s last blog post..Housekeeping - November 2008
November 5th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Hey Nick, not a problem buddy. I hope you got at least a little extra traffic from it as well.
November 6th, 2008 at 1:02 am
@Nick:
I’m sorry I don’t mean otherwise. The fact that you have written the email yourself proves that you really value your readers. This kind of effort is pretty rare nowadays.
Yan
Blog for Beginners´s last blog post..It’s Time for Readers’ Appreciation #2
November 6th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Excellent - that is advice that can be carried through with any business. A lead that is not followed up is leaving money on the table.
November 6th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Andy - Exactly right. even one left behind is a bad idea; you never know which one will take you over the top!
November 6th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I have pretty good follow through, but I know I’m not perfect. I save a lot of email and will keep updated with people even years later, but I don’t always remember at the time when something I come across might work for someone I’d been talking to previously.
However, on my blog, I get back to everyone who deserves a comment, as you’ve seen.
Mitch´s last blog post..Feeling Good Tonight
November 6th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Mitch - No ones perfect of course, but you’re doing great; keep it up buddy!
November 6th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I was about to send you the exact same email as you also requested i add in the “Subscribe To Email” link. LoL.
No worries. I know you’re busy as we all are. On a funny note, read below.
“Holy crap you guys, were you sitting on my blog?! LOL Mere seconds upon posting. Very cool.”
This is how i feel about some of my blogs. Almost like i feel i need to watch my every word as i’m being watched. Which i know is just plain silly and plus some see a string of comments on a blog as a sign of success.
But it can also feel like abit of pressure knowing that people ARE ACTUALLY reading and following you. Well just a tad.
That is just silly me. Im use to blogging in big blogs with lots of posts and lots of comments. Meaning there is little responding as it is too time consuming. But with my smaller blog, i need to adjust and realize that comments are essential to a certain degree.
I am learning and adapting. I’m off to write a post on my net media blog and hopefully no one is there now. LoL.
November 7th, 2008 at 2:50 am
So what you are saying is that blogging is a bit like golf and you will go a lot further if you follow through. Imagine if Tiger woods took it up.
Sire´s last blog post..The Real Dos And Don’t Of Affiliate Marketing
November 7th, 2008 at 3:45 am
@Sire: You continue to amuse me with your sense of humor and I’m sure Tiger Woods will feel the same too…;)
Yan
Blog for Beginners´s last blog post..It’s Time for Readers’ Appreciation #2
November 7th, 2008 at 3:57 am
@Yan: You mean that Tiger Woods reads my comments?
Sire´s last blog post..Everything You Wanted To Know About Online Surveys
November 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Missy - I guess I have to pop over and subscribe!
Btw, did you happen to catch my (currently) #1 most popular post?
November 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Sire - BUSINESS is like golf, whether it’s blogging or anything else, you must follow through on what needs to be done.
Hmm, would be kinda weird if he were to pop on by, huh?
November 7th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Are you saying i don’t respond to comments?
Missy@Net Media Blog´s last blog post..Blog Contest Update!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Missy - No you did, or implied it in your last comment.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Yeah I know, I have been in business for the past 30 years so I reckon I have a tiny amount of experience on the subject.
Sire´s last blog post..Can You See The Human Apparition In This Splash Of Water
November 7th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Others however may not, and since you specifically mentioned blogging, I thought I’d emphasize.
November 8th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I wasn’t sure where you were going with this. I thought you might be making fun of him because he took so long to follow up.
I am not near as good as I used to be with follow up. I often wonder once it gets to be so long after the initial contact if it is almost counter productive to remind them I haven’t followed up.
It’s good to know people appreciate the follow up even though it is late.
November 9th, 2008 at 10:17 am
LOL Ned - I’m not THAT mean.
I think a lot of people feel that way and you really shouldn’t. Unless of course you were intentionally ignoring for some reason, then a simple explanation should easily suffice; and it really is appreciated…at least by most.
that was a general “you”, not you personally
Not too long ago I suddenly disappeared for 2 months and immediately followed up with several people…it was most appreciated thankfully.
Bottom line - it’s always worth it in the name of professionalism, even if one here and there doesn’t seem to care.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Great post, Dennis. Follow through is essential. People are busy, they are bombarded with email and it’s so important to continue to follow through and nurture that relationship with them.
Patty Gale´s last blog post..Pre-Thanksgiving Gift Save $100
November 11th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Exactly right Patty. With “loyalty” dropping like a stone as the years pass, it just keep becoming more and more important.
November 16th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Great post, Dennis. It’s SO important to listen and respond to people online, just as it is offline.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hey Denise, thanks for dropping by!
That’s exactly right, and what most miss thinking they are invisible online or thinking that it just doesn’t matter as much
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I was really lucky to find your post. I love finding anything I can related to marketing online, and anything enhancing business through blogs and websites. I study all strategies I can.
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Thanks Wayne, glad to have you here!
October 11th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Hey, this is a bit irrelevant, but I noticed your blog page loaded lightning fast compared to mine. So I was wondering are you using dedicated hosting or shared hosting? thanks.