Are You Married To Your List?
Do you remember what you were doing 15 years ago on this date? June 3, 1994 … what were you doing?
(That’s probably a bad question to ask … most of us can’t remember what we were doing 15 MINUTES ago! 
)
I remember what I was doing on June 3, 1994 -
I was saying “I do” to Paula June Shrable.
That’s right, fifteen years ago today my lovely wife and I were married. We’ll be celebrating with an evening in Memphis: an exchange of gifts, a romantic meal and a suite at the world famous Peabody Hotel.
Fifteen years ago it was the Holiday Inn and McDonald’s.
Some things certainly do get better with time!
There are a lot of things that make our marriage a wonderful one after all these years: things like our faith, our friendship, our family, our faithfulness and our fun certainly figure strongly in the mix.
As I reflect back on fifteen wonderful years with my wife, I can’t help but see a parallel set of “success” principles that should be practiced with your opt-in email lists.
Leave it to me to compare blissful marriage to list marketing. Before you think, “Some romantic you turned out to be” you should see the gift I got my Paula. And you should call the Peabody to see how much a suite costs!
Still, there are some things that have made our marriage work that relate to making your list work.
Are you successfully “married” to your list? Here are three keys to make your most important business relationships endure through time…
1. COMMUNICATION.
Everyone will tell you that communication is a core component of any successful, enduring relationship. And it’s true. You know it. I know it. The key is actually doing it.
My wife and I talk all the time. Sometimes she talks and I listen. Other times I talk and she listens. Still other times we engage in “conversation”. And we respond positively to each others comments. We don’t just hear, we heed. We don’t just listen, we learn. We don’t just talk, we take action.
If you want your list to be successful you’ve gotta communicate.
Sometimes you need to listen. Ask for feedback. Take corrective action on complaints and criticisms. Survey your lists. Gauge interest. Analyze response.
Other times you need to talk. Share your stories. Make an offer. Reveal interesting things you’ve learned. Respond to list feedback.
If you aren’t regularly in “conversation” with your list (At LEAST once per week and preferably TWICE per week) then you’re not as “intimate” as you need to be.
NOTE: Lest you take the “my wife and I talk all the time” principle too far, you should NOT email your list every hour on the hour!
2. CAPTIVATION.
My wife is an amazing woman. I am captivated by her. Captivate means “to attract and hold the attention and interest of”. That’s what she’s been doing to me for fifteen years.
She has interesting insights. She makes me laugh. She offers great counsel. She is fun. She is intelligent. She is warm and loving. She is hard working. She is “beautiful in every way”. And, if I gave her a couple of sentences to ramble in this message about me, she’d tell you that she feels the same way about me.
If you want to have a successful relationship with your list, you must “captivate” them. You must “attract and hold the attention and interest of” your subscribers.
* Give them useful, meaty information.
* Motivate and inspire them to achieve.
* Tell them personal, inspiring stories.
* Reveal startling revelations.
* Leave them hanging with a cliffhanger.
* Build up their interest and anticipation.
When you can communicate while you captivate, you’ll keep them tuned in for more.
3. COOPERATION.
Paula and I work together. It’s a “give and take” relationship. She does things that I don’t like to do and vice versa. We complement each other well. Her weaknesses are my strengths and it’s the same the other way around. The bottom line is: our relationship is mutually beneficial.
That’s another key to a successful “marriage” to your subscribers. It simply must be mutually beneficial or it doesn’t work.
If one side does all the “taking”, the other side is usually going to disconnect.
I’ve seen list owners on both sides of this.
* Some list owners do nothing but send out offer after offer after offer to their list in an attempt to get every penny they can get. There’s no content, no usefulness, no value … just sales pitch. Soon they are mailing to a “ghost list” … everyone has left town.
* Some list owners do nothing but bend over backwards to help their subscribers. They give and give and give and give until there is nothing to “sell”. They trade their time for almost no money. In time they get frustrated and call it quits because “nobody’s buying”.
There has to be balance.
You “give” and you “take” … because those on your list “take” and they “give”.
If you want to be successfully “married” to your list, then do these three things: communicate, captivate, cooperate.
There are many other “keys” to Paula and me having a great marriage, but these three are critical parts of of everyday lives. And they certainly apply to any successful list relationship.
I’m headed out to put the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door of our suite.
Why don’t you head out to court your list?
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Awesome thoughts! And congratulations on your anniversary!
I was thinking, just this morning, how grateful I am for the folks on my list, so I sent them all a love note this morning and shared a personal anecdote! You and I are on the same wavelength!
Have a great time! Thanks for everything you share with us!
~cj
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Good for you! Congratulations to both!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Congrats to you Jimmy! And thanks for the three keys. Important success factors to remember and implement in any business.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Jimmy,
Congratulations to you and Paula on your anniversary! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness. And, I love your products.
Best,
Tara
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Congrats on 15 years Jimmy. Praying that God will bless you with many more.
Craig Maxwell
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Jimmy, congratulations to you and your wife on your 15 years of marriage! It was so touching what you wrote. Thanks for sharing, I love to hear of wonderful marriages like yours.
Thank you too for your contributions to the IM community. I also follow you on Twitter!
Sincerely,
Levada Pendry
http://www.GoldenWestPublishing.com/blog2 go here for free ebooks!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Way to go Jimmy! From a fellow Arkansan!
Awesome tips by the way too. Captivation is
a little used ‘tool’ for some reason?
Travis Sago
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Hey Jimmy,
Great analogy. I’ve been learning/experiencing the “communication” portion recently with my lists. In the past, I mistakenly made most of the communication one-way, but rececently have begun to ask for feedback, input, etc. I not only have gotten great insights, but am really “falling” more for the people on my lists. It will make my emails to them much more personal now that I can “see” who they are. Thanks for the great post. Hope you have a great anniversary!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 pm
All the best to you and your wife, Jimmy! Thanks for this very helpful article about the 3 Keys to success with a list. Communication is listening as well as speaking.
If we ask what more we can do for our subscribers to make their experience of our site an enjoyable and meaningful one, then that is the route to success, I believe.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Congratulations to you and Paula, Jimmy! That’s a great milestone! Thanks for the 3 keys - vital as we prepare to launch BestsellerWorkshops.com. Actually, I do remember June 3, 1994. We were traveling to Colorado for our 31st wedding anniversary. June 15, 2009 will make 46 yrs.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Rock on Jimmy!
My hubs and I celebrated 15 years in April (Tax day, the 15th - he’ll NEVER forget!)
Once you master the 3 keys, you can apply it to ALL of your relationships.
Blessings, Love and Abundance for 15 years more! dp @thewebcoach
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Jimmy: Kudos to you. I am married a day younger than you. Yeah my wedding date was june 4th of 2003.
Thanks for giving us the three important tools, which are alltime favourtite of everyone.
Wishing you and your spouse a happy fifteenth anniversary.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Happy Anniversary to you and your lovely bride.
Shoot. That reminds me that mine is next week! I’d better get planning.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Congratulations on the anniversary, Jimmy. (And Paula.
)
Thanks for the tips. The way you related “offline terms” to online business makes it easy to understand and put into action.
The Wacky Gals
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Very good post, Jimmy!
Not only is it beneficial for the list marketers who cry that their list has ‘lost steam’…but it’s also good for those who are in failing relationships and marriages, too!
Should I be calling you Dr. Phil? Or better yet, Dr. Jimmy?
Happy anniversary to you and your wife!
-T.M. Harris-
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
A Big Congrats to you and Paula.Nothing could ever be more true than the 3 keys. Many who have list truly ignore these keys. I must say that I have not been treated well as a faithful member of many businesses that have me on their list. I truly am going to borrow a leaf from your wisdom and use the 3 keys in my relationship with my fiance as well. Thanks a bunch. Wishing you guys a wonderful anniversary and many more to come. Cheers.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! In a world that often demonstrates that love, faith, fidelity, respect and commitment are viewed as being no longer required, it’s heartening to hear someone publically extolling the benefits.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
A very clever article giving simple comparisons between marriage to a person and the relationship between an individual and his/her list of business subscribers. Thanks for a great article that is both enlightening and entertaining.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Jimmy you never seem to amaze me. Always short and simple and right to the
point.. Communication, Captivation,Cooperation,that says it all.
David Aston http://fitnessbuilding
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Well said. Your gift for taking personal things and using them to make great business points heightens the value you deliver to your own subscribers, and we would do well to follow your example.
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you and Paula. My wife and I celebrated our 15th a few months ago as well.
Warmest regards,
Ellery
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Congratulations Jimmy, and thank you very much for sharing this, as a newbie in this business i really appreciate inspiering words.Thank’s
Diana
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Congrats on 15 years, that must be some kind of precious metal anniversary by now.
Nice advice too, and a kick up the bum for my lack of contact with my list lately.
Better start patching up ‘the marriage’!
cheers
Andy
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you and Paula. Wish you both many, many more.
I love the way you’ve married the 3C’s of a happy marriage and a list. #2 is inspiring. Thanks for sharing these great tips.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Great post Jimmy!
I really enjoyed the warm feelings you conveyed while speaking about your wife and your
mutual love and friendship and the comparisons with the marketer and his list where
right on plus something on top… the captivating!
By tying in the email marketing advice with your delightful relationship you helped this
marketer warm up to her email list! How about that?
Fran
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Happy Anniversary Jimmy & Paula, i hope that you have many more.
Great content, I will make good use of it.
Have a great day.
Thanks,
David
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Awesome post. This one really spoke to me. Happy anniversary and thank you for everything you do!
DO
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
May you and Paula continue to be a “successful marriage model” for the up and coming!
Congratulations,
Joni
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Congratulations Jimmy and Paula. Thanks for sharing the great tips that refer to all types of relationships.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Thanks for a great post Jimmy!! Happy Anniversary!!
This an excellent formula for a happy marriage and a prosperous active list. A great reminder of how most things in life have great similarities.
Therese Prentice
The Outsource Squad
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Happy Anniversary Jimmy!
To God be the glory.
We celebrate our 29th anniversary, Thursday, June 4.
Thank you for celebrating your faith as you speak throughout your business.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Congratulations Jimmy and Paula, on your 15th Wedding Anniversary. My wife’s name is also Paula and she encourages me in all my ventures. We completed 11 years on married life on the 17th of January, this year 2009. But, we know each other for the last sixteen years. Paula and I are “Soulmates”, which is also an expression which my wife Paula likes to use a lot.
I have recently completed my book of seventy-five poems and dedicated it to my wife Paula, my Soulmate.
All the very best to you and your Soulmate
Cheers
Warren Brown
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Well done Jimmy & Paula- keep it up!
Great writing.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Jimmy, Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you and Paula!
I can say that what you’re teaching here, still works after almost 40 years for my wife and I.
We were married a stormy day of November back in 1969 only having known each other since May the same year. But to stay on track it takes some will and some work.
I’m gonna copy these tips to my swapfile to remember.
Thank you for all the things you teach so clear and well.
- Tormod -
- Norway -
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Congratulations to you and your wife on your 15th anniversary.
You are right about the give and take. My wife and i have been
doing that for the 47+ years we have been married. Also,
communication is a key ingredient.
Happy Anniversary.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
What I can say is WOW, such a wonderful piece of information, Very interesting comparison.
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
First off, happy anniversary to both you and Paula! How wonderful and impressive that you took time on your special day to thoughtfully figure out a way to help your followers. Wow!
Your tips are also great. I like those 3 C’s. You really got me thinking about how best I can serve (or “marry,” as you put it) my list. I agree with Bum Marketing — people don’t captivate enough. Thanks again. Enjoy your night!
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Jimmy (and Wife!):
Happy Anniversary! The very best to you both…
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Congratulations to you and your wife Jimmy! Happy Anniversary. I know you will enjoy your celebration together.
Thanks so much for sharing these 3 principles which are so simple yet when applied to any relationship will certainly result in mutual benefit. Great stuff!
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Happy Anniversary Jimmy. I feel the same way about my “girl”. August 6, 1988 was our “I DO” day and we certainly plan to celebrate.
On the other hand, your message reminds me how much I also need to court my email list.
Thanks for the imput!
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:03 pm
C*O*N*G*R*A*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S Jimmy & Paula!
What a wonderful union you two have - and after meeting you wayyyy back in ‘03, I can understand why it’s lasted (and I imagine it will last forever). You both are wonderful, warm, precious children of God and it shows in your actions, not just your words.
I wish you both ALL the best and thanks for the interesting analogy between marriage and communication with your list of subscribers whom far too many marketers these days seem to forget are really human beings, and not just email addresses connected to an endless credit card limit.
Blessings & love to you both!
Donna (a ‘forever’ Jimmy D Brown fan)
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Congratulations to you and your wife. I wish you very many more happy years together.
I love your post, the way you share and the way you let people feel the part of what you think and you feel.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Happy anniversary to you and your wife!
-Sega
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hey Jimmie,
I like the connection! You’ve hit it on just the right nerve.
I sense a REAL compassion for people that is sorely lacking in this business. As a copywriter, I made the decision many moon ago, to not allow myself to contract for long sales letters which were in reality, a devious way to extract money from those who could least afford it. For marketing a Jack Ass product that nobody has ever made work to the level advertised, including the inventor and seller.
Thanks for making the connection!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Hi jimmy, congratulations for your 15th year of happy marriage. You anniversary message is very inspiring.
I love to read your 3 tips. They’re beneficial.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you both. My wedding anniversary is next month, only 9 years for me, although we have been together longer, about 15 years altogether, I think.
(It took my wife that long to believe that I was worth marrying.)
I would suggest another key, trust. I have seen a lot of relationships fall apart (both business and personal) because of either a lack of trust, or one party violating the trust of the other.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Congrats, Jimmy! I’m coming up on 20 years this year myself.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Great post!
#2 is certainly food for thought. I’m definitely going to start brainstorming ways of making my list communication more captivating.
Happy anniversary!
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Thanks Jimmy… and congrats!
I thankyou for your insights. My mind goes immediately to applying this logic to “beginning a list relationship”:
There is a courtship process with our list, whereby we serve them, try to bring increase into their lives, and really listen to their wants.
Because this is about making money, we all too often think firstly about making that first sale, but that may or may not be the best way to go.
Give, then receive.
Loss Leader, then revenue.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Great advice, Jimmy! Happy anniversary to you and your wife . . . may you enjoy many, many more wonderful years together as a couple and as business partners!
I definitely know the importance of building a mutually beneficial relationship with my list/subscribers — Lynn Terry has been a great mentor and subscribes to that method. As I build my business (with your help and Lynn’s) I will be sure to incorporate the three key factors you outlined above to my list-building relationship. I think I’ll draw up a mind map and post them above my computer as a daily reminder of my courtship with my subscribers.
Thanks, again, Jimmy for all the wonderful advice you share so freely and through your programs to help others succeed . . . your information is priceless!
Iris
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Congratulations! Hope you guys have the greatest evening together ever.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Hey Jimmy,
You are an inspiration to us all brother… Glad you made it to 15, and good luck with the next 100!
To Your Continued Success Jimmy!
Clint Anderson
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Guess what–my anniversary is just 3 days earlier than yours (and several years as well)! Congrats, and thanks for the great marketing insights. They remind me of the truism that good marketing really does come down to relationships. I try to relate to my “list” as if I’m talking to one person.
Now I’m going to go write a blog post about this, so my list gets benefit of your great insights.
Diane Eble
“Your Book Publishing Coach”
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Wow, Congratulations to you both. Having someone to share your life and love with is such a wonderful gift. I hope you have at least 15 more!
Many Blessings.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Congratulations on your 15 wedding anniversary. We are looking forward to our 51st in a couple of weeks. I guess I have never compared my list to my marriage but I can see your comparing them.
I am still working on finding that complete fullfillment of a successful IM Business I may run out of time still trying as I am now 71.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Hey Jimmy,
Just wanted to wish you and your bride a very Happy & Blessed Anniversary!
Take Care,
~Brett
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Congrats on 15 years! Those are 3 great tips - and should be hung on the wall of every internet marketer to look at every time they think about their list =) I know I will.
Congratulations!
Skylr
http://DiggerDaily.com
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Congratulations to your wonderful 15 years of a great marriage.
I love the 3 keys. May I add one more based on experience of being married 40 years and inter-married as well which was a sin back then? Here goes:
Individuality:
Each person has the right to be themselves and pursue a journey that doesn’t hurt their spouse. Respect each person’s individuality–the right to be themselves–and let the other grow to be more wonderfully created as “God designed them to be.”
Regarding the internet I can relate “individuality” this way: There is only “one” you–Jimmy D. Brown. You are the original. You were born an original and can’t die a copy. There may be others who want to be you, but you are still you–the first and the only. On the net as an individual you create things as you best see the perfect fit for your members and friends.
May you continue to flourish in your marriage and in God’s work He has given you with your creative mind and in “divine health.”
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Happy Anniversary Big Fella!
Take Care,
Michael Silvester
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
[...] Jimmy added an interesting post on Jimmy D. Brown » Are You Married To Your List?Here’s a small excerptAs I build my business (with your help and Lynn’s) I will be sure to incorporate the three key factors you outlined above to my list-building relationship. I think I’ll draw up a mind map and post them above my computer as a daily … [...]
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Congratulations Jimmy to you and Paula. This was a very good post. Hope ya’ll have a wonderful evening. Thanks for sharing.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Hi Jimmy,
I am a traditional writer/author in Australia with over 30 books to my name. I was going to retire, but after reading about what you do, I decided not to. So now I am learning all about this internet, on line E book, E report stuff late in life. I’m 65 years young. Your guidance and information has been invaluable to me and keeps me on track. My apologies for not buying anything from you as yet, but I shall in the near future. Just getting up to speed and absorbing the workings of this new way of selling words.You are very generous in your advice and obviously truly believe in establishing long customer relationships. I use what many would consider an old fashioned word to describe you. A nice person. I like to fill my life with nice people. I have been married to my dear Sue for 43 years. Like you and your wife, we work together as a team. Hopefully, with your continued assistance I shall learn the workings of this internet e book selling and you and I can work as a team.
Do have a happy, heart filled wedding anniversary day.
Regards
Tony Barber (one of you older pupils)
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Dear Jimmy and Paula:
Congratulations to you both. That was an inspiring look at your marriage and communication skills.
I for
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Dear Jimmy and Paula:
Congratulations to you both. That was an inspiring look at your marriage and communication skills.
I for one need to follow your plan of intimate communications with my list. Thank you for the 3 C’s.
Sincerely,
Sharon Deloy
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Thanks for the great tips. Happy 15th Anniversary!
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Happy anniversary to you and Paula. You deserve all these success. Thanks for all the valuable marketing tips and encouragements we have received from you. Remain blessed . Enjoy your day.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Dear Jimmy,
Congratulations to both you and Paula! I pray that you both may have a life of many more to come. Enjoy her always!
Best wishes,
Jerome V. Chambers Jr.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Hi Jimmy….
Congrats on 15 years marriage and your success on the net. You listed the most important things first that keeps the spark ignited…. things like faith, friendship, family, faithfulness and fun…. far surpassing anything else this side of heaven.
My bride and I celebrate 48 years in November under GOD as Lord of Life. It’s amazing why so many folks seek happiness in the wrong places. You found it as we did long ago and I’m so thankful that we are living a blessed relationship and pray for many more.
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Happy anniversary to you and your wife. Thank you for all the advice and tips
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Happy anniversary Jim to you and Paula Enjoy your time together. Thankyou for all the advise and tips over the years it’s been a valuable relationship which I have a great deal of respect for. There is probably no email of yours that have arrived here, that I have not read.
Keep the good work and relationships going Jimmy.
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Hello Jimmy,
Congratulations to both you and Paula! Diane and I will celebrate our 15th in August and I have to say that you have ‘nailed’ the keys to success both in marriage and in marketing. Thanks for the valuable reminder and hope your day was wonderful!
Jim
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hey Jimmy,
From someone who has been married only 2 years, I’d say this is great advice for marriage AND for business. I am touched by the way you talk about your wife. My husband and I feel the same way about each other, and I know we will still be talking about each other like you are if we just remember to do the three Cs you mentioned.
One thing I’d add is that behaving this way comes naturally at FIRST both in romance and in business, you’re in love, you’re excited, you’re fascinated…and you think it will be that automatic forever. But there does come a time when you have to start to remember to do it on purpose and not take your “spouse” for granted. I think this applies to your customers as well.
Great post! And congratulations not only o nthe length but on the obvious quality of your marriage.
Lisa
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Congrats Jimmy, and may you many more and GOD Bless you and your family.
Kind regards,
Take care
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I can almost remember 15 years ago as my 15 year anniversary is next month. Congratulations! Loved the article too, always informative and captivating.
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Great stuff all the way around Jimmy!
Happy Anniversary to you and your wife - enjoy the day!
Sincerely,
Kyle Battis
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
What a gift you’ve given us with this article! Congratulations to the two of you - here’s to many more years together. I am such an admirer of your work, and love the Membernaire information. Every email you send is chock-a-block full of great info. Thanks so much!
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Congratulations & happy aniversary to you both. I really liked your analogy between your marriage relationship versus your relationship with your list. It made a lot of sense and I liked how you honed it down to 3 key principles of communication, captivation and cooperation. I was wondering how to get your list to respond to a question or feedback. I’ve tried and don’t usually get a response. I definitely need more work on the two way communication. Thanks for your thoughts.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Congratulations!
I love how you tied the two together in this post. Thanks for your wonderful insight.
Here’s to many more years of a successful marriage and a successful business. You’ve obviously worked hard on both.
Peggy
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Fantastic Post, love the way you put things. I totally agree with what you said about some “List” owners. It is those that I unsubscribe to. I don’t believe they have a business, all they have is jumping from “Whiz Bang latest product” without a loyal list. How they earn a steady income I often wonder. When you said “Ghost List” I laughed because I have been for a while wondering what kinds of lists they have, you named it, and I am sure they come back to haunt them haha!
May your relationship with your wife continue to deepen for the rest of your lives. Having a wonderful relationship makes everything worthwhile. I have been married now for some 37 years (married young) and having my husband, as my best friend, as well as everything else that comes with a good relationship has been great.
I look forward to reading more of what you write.
Maggie
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Congrats Jimmy,
Fifteen years in a long time. I myself have been married for 2 years, compare to you, it’s a big difference.
John
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Congratulations to both of you!! I love your article; the passion and insight is wonderfully refreshing. Lots of useful nuggets of information that I will ponder.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and life with us.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Dear Mr. Jimmy,
You have WoWed me…Once again….THANK YOU for sharing…I love your insight and straight forwardness. I love that you keep it simple and real.
As far as you your Anniversary….ONLY GOD…CAN DO THAT MY FRIEND….THANK Him for the life and love he has given you ….for your family and friends.
He is the TRUE SOURCE OF LIFE. Make sure you ENJOY IT….GOD BLESS!
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Congratulations Jimmy!
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Hey Jimmy,
Many happy returns of the day to You and Paula. Happy anniversary!
Rangrajan
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Hey Jimmy,
Happy anniversary to you and your wife!
I’ve certainly picked up useful nuggets in this blog post, and thanks for sharing…
Enjoy your day!
Best,
Calvin
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Jimmy,
Prov 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
You are always an inspiration in all that you do, God has blessed you in every way.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 pm
That’s awesome Jimmy! Congratulations!!
Very good advice on marriage and business. Keep it up!
June 4th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Happy anniversary to you and Paula Jimmy. Any thank you for the lessons in this post.
Very skillfully done.
Kym Kirk
June 4th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Hi……..
Congratulations! Happy Anniversary to you and your bride….! Many Many More Happy Returns………!
Thanks for the wonderful tips you share . Your informations are awesome!
June 4th, 2009 at 3:46 am
Congratulations!!
June 4th, 2009 at 4:06 am
Congratulation Jimmy! In august me and my wife will reach 29 years of marriage. We wish you to have at least this years with your wife! And thanks for your learning and advice!
Regards.
Emil Marian
June 4th, 2009 at 6:32 am
congratulations on your anniversary.
I’m so happy for you…and thanks for your valuable advise.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Wonderful Jimmy, that is approx 5,475days and approx 131,400 hrs…. where does the time “fly”.
I would like to add the important ingredient is L.o.v.e (Living Our Vows Eternally), but I think you know that…fifteen years says it is so! All the best for the now and the future….
Regards
John Zeals
June 4th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Congratulation on a wonderful FeatI always remember what, I was doing this day 3 June 1979, I proposed to my Wife, and Married her 7 Months later on January the 3rd, so you got a few years to catch this old grey fox. but yes Jimmy its so very true, that when we have a Savior, like Jesus Christ, who loves us with an ever loving love and is as Faithful as he is to us how can we not be so faithful to our Wives, and those three tips you gave are so important, to mix in with our Marriages as well as with our Opt -in lists and to share with them all that has been shared with us, Congrates again Mate, and God richly bless both you and Paula, and every thing you do till He Comes.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Congratulations! God’s richest blessings for the next 15 years.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Congratulations on your anniversary, Jimmy. Thanks for reminding the three keys important in our business and life.
I wish all the best to you and your wife.
June 4th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Congratulations Jimmy, 15 years is great. Nowadays most couples don’t make it through the first 5.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Hey jimmie,congrads on 15yrs.& 15x’s more for life… i’m pretty good at communicating and captivating but thank you for high lighing Cooperating that i can diffenently work on, bless you and your family.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I am comment #94 on this post. That alone validates that you practice what you preach and build real, meaningful relationship with your list, Jimmy. You’re an inspiration to all of us and a guiding light in this IM maze. Thanks for all you do, congratulations to your and your wife, and many, many more!
June 4th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Happy anniversary both of you.
Thanks for telling the three keypoints about mailing list.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Congratulations to you and your wife! 15 years isn’t a long time when you are enjoying it.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Not Bad Old Boy!
But no matter how hard you try you’ll never catch me and Lisa. W just had our 40th and it was a huge bash at which I learned (again) how many people love my wife!
Riley West - riley@rwestdotcom.com
June 5th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Congratulations to you both. As someone who celebrates her 30th wedding anniversary this December I can tell you that the next 15 years will be even better as you continue to grow in love. I thought I loved my husband 30 years ago…and I did. Love him more now, though!
We’ve both only recently discovered your wisdom and we’re finding it excellent value as we continue to Communicate our ideals, Captivate our emotions, and Co-operate with each other’s goals.
Here’s to your next fifteen years together…at VERY least.
June 5th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Hi Jimmy
Many Congratulations. to you and your good lady.
I wish it was our 15th anniversary, actually it’s our 44th this year, but I would like it to happen all again. You are quite right, get the relationship right and all else falls into place.
I hope the next 15 years are as good for you.
Best regards.
George
June 5th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Hi Jimmy,
Congratulations on your proud day. I hope you continue to provide inspiration both in personal and professional ways.
All the best,
Paul
http://www.paul-hooper.com
June 5th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Congrats Jimmy..
I still have a long way to go to celebrate mine
June 5th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Congratulations to you and your wife. Thank you for the 3 tips for our mailing list. I also wanted to say Thank you for your your programs Affiliatenaire and Membernaire. I send you and your wife many more years of love, health, happiness, and many blessings.
Tracey
http://www.mompreneursuccess.com
June 5th, 2009 at 10:37 am
NICE piece of writing!
June 5th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Congrats.
Long life and prosperity. Hope you will embark on a vacation.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Congratulations you two!! Enjoy your special day.
Praying for many more years of happiness.
June 5th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
15 years’ worth of hearty congrats Jimmy and Paula!
While I don’t recall what I was doing June 3rd, 1994, I do remember vividly what I was doing about 5 months later on October 18th…
I was cradling my son for the 1st time and remember feeling like the proudest new dad on earth, and how I would do all in my power with God’s help to nurture, educate train, and help transform him into a fine young man…
And Jimmy, that feeling has lasted to date
And I can’t help but think how that relates to growing and nurturing a list of your own.
I’d add to what you’ve aptly said, by saying besides being married to your list, you should also be a great List Parent by being a great mum or dad to your list.
Good list dads and list mums build and nurture special relationships with list kids by doing some or all of what you said Jimmy, and also adding the total N. E. T. T. package of Nurturing, Educating and Transforming their list members (or list kids) - Just like you expertly do with your blog readers.
In the end I’d like to say thanks for being a great List Dad, Jimmy
You not only, nurture, educate, train and transform, you also lead by example and THAT is perhaps the greatest key of all, walking your talk and talking your walk.
No list members can resist a total package like that and that means a series of ka-chings for that apt list owner for life.
Cheers,
Kunle Olomofe
June 5th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Hi Jimmy,
I hope you and your wife had a GREAT time in Memphis. Congratulations!
June 5th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Congratulations Jimmy.
June 3 is my birthday and I think I remember having a party on my birthday on June 3, 1994.
I wish you an other 15 years of happy marrage.
I totally agree with you about the Communication, Captivation and Cooperation a couple needs to keep the marriage healthy and strong.
I can tell you that, because I’m married for longer than 15 years to the same wonderful guy.
June 6th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
You are just so inspiring Jimmy,
Congratulations on your anninversary. We still have six more years until we reach 15, and I hope my husband speaks as highly of our marriage and of me when we get there!
June 9th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Jimmy,
Great post. The part about communicating with the list on a regular basis really hits home for me. I have a small list that I stopped adding to about a year or so ago. Since then I had not sent anything out to that list.
Recently I sent out a series of broadcasts to this list along with the current list. It should have come as no surprise to me that the response from the old list was WAY down when compared to the new list.
I didn’t communicate with them on a regular basis and they left me. I sure won’t do that again.
I have been posting recently on my blog about list building, so this post is very timely for me.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
As you can tell it took me a few days t get to reading this post. I shattered my heel bone on Monday 6-1-09 and things have been a little difficult but, GOD is still in charge.
Congradulations to both of you. I do not recall what I was doing on June 3 1994 but I vividly recall what I was doing on April 15, 1994. I was saying I DO to another beautiful lady, my wife Donna. Are we getting old?
The business/marriage comparison is great and I agree with everything you said. I would however like to add one tidbit. We need to ALWAYS make sure our bride comes before our list or any business for that matter.
Are you back from Poland yet?
Many Blessings Brother,
Clyde
June 10th, 2009 at 11:24 am
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June 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Great post on marriage and business
I loved how you compared both!
June 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
First of all congratulations on your anniversary. Love the way you have tied that in with looking after the list. So true. Also true that we all need support in our life. When the sea is rough and it will be sometimes, support from loved ones or friends can help steady the ship.
First time on this site, will without doubt return.
All the best
Andy Beveridge
June 19th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Congratulations to you both on your Anniversary. Due to your example of using these tools in your letters and reports I feel like I know you. I always feel like I am receiving a gift when I see you email. Best wishes.
God Bless
Lawrence
June 20th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Congratulations on 15 years together, Jimmy - she must be a Saint!
We’ll be celebrating our 40th in January - and I can echo everything you said. It needs to be a working relationship both ways! Your principles are sound for both marriage and marketing.
I’ve been a fan of yours since Oct 16, 2000 with my first issue of Profits Vault Reseller news! And one of the things I’ve always known I could count on was your straight talk - with an interesting twist. You have a wonderful knack for saying things - but putting the extra time, thinking and effort into them to make them more interesting. Your use of aliteration is unmatched.
Here’s to many more years of happiness for you and Paula - and for those of us who are your raving fans -
Jeanette
June 24th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Congrats on your anniversary - my wife and I are getting ready to celebrate our 22nd.
Great concepts - as always Jimmy! :o)
June 28th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Congratulations to you and Paula! How inspiring and encouraging. And the tie-in to how to treat ones list was very cool too. I better write some more emails…
July 1st, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Congrats on your anniversary Jimmy, I’m only 30 and have been with my wife for almost 17 years, even though we have only been married for 5 years so far.
You’re three keys are right on point, and i will have to print and refer to them everytime i’m about to contact my list, and review my autoresponders as well.
thanks for sharing.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Belated good wishes and congratulations on your wedding anniversary, Jimmy. Thanks for sharing that information with us.
As always, it’s good to receive your emails which are so full of useful (not always “incomplete”) information which act as reminders to focus where it matters, thank you.
Kind regards and best wishes for another 15 years of happy marriage.
Madeline
August 13th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Belated Congratulations , wonderful info … thanks I am going to spend some time communicating with my wife.
Best Regards
Michael
October 21st, 2009 at 9:17 pm
What was I doing 15 years ago? I was counting down the days till I graduated from high school. Yikes! Belated congrats on the anniversary, by the way.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Jimmy,
I just found this site, and the date made me stop and do a double take. I can clearly remember that day - my wife, Jo, and I were celebrating our 21st Anniversary. We were married in Britt, IA (Hobo Capital) in 1973. Earlier in the year I had been transferred to a new job in Anniston, AL, while Jo was teacher elementary school in Northwest IA. It has been an interesting experience that I have truly enjoyed and I have to say that Jo has been very supportive even when we made major moves all over the country following the boom or bust years in the homebuilding industry.
Another key would have to be trust and support. We had to believe in each other and focus our efforts in during lonely times when it was very easy to question why. Similar trust and support must exist when the cloud of doubt and uncertainty roll in during the list building process.
About a year ago I decided that I was not going to ride out another dip in the housing industry but rather switch to internet marketing. The learning curve has been very steep and the amount of information available is still overwhelming. The endless opportunities and alluring deals were very tempting and lead to far too many side trips and non profitable detours. Fortunately, early on I found your “Affiliantenaire” site and joined your “12 Month Training Program”. I just downloaded your lesson #35 and plan to acquire the complete set. I constantly marvel at the amount work required and a amazed by the amount of detail you have put into this program. Having been involved in writing training manuals, installation instructions, and detailed step by step finishing manuals for people building their own house, I feel especially qualified to congratulate you on the remarkable work you put on the internet. Associating your name with anything put on the web is by far the best indicator of the quality of material on that site.
A belated Happy Anniversary and a wish for many more. Keep up the good work and do not adjust you stand of excellence.
Sincerely.
Donald W Maupin
Independent Associate
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.