I was notified that the small company I used for my internet database- subscriber list was going out of business. (It was like Constant Contact.) So I had to export all my subscribers to a new marketing database. The catch—you can’t legally do that. The spam laws say that you have to send everyone an opt-in message again, even if they are already on your list. And the headache commenced.

My marketing consultant told me that I would likely lose HALF my subscribers in the move. Everything else I read confirmed that. For me, this is about visibility. If I’m going to earn my worth, and spread my message to the world, (and yes, I believe those goals are completely compatible) I have to stay visible. I have to send out my newsletters etc. Of course it’s more comfortable to stay invisible—far less stressful. However, these is no money in invisibility

I know that not everyone will notice the opt-in messages and some people only read me occasionally. And it is good to have to clean out your list from time to time. But this really sucks. I’ve painstakingly built my list over the years, so the thought of losing half of my subscribers makes me ill.

Don’t you just love the setbacks that come out of the clear blue sky? Sometimes it takes a strong stomach to stay focused on earning your worth. Luckily I’ve been self-employed for a decade, so I strongly suspect I will survive this. If bad things never happen in business, you aren’t taking enough risks. (Or you live on another planet. Can I come and visit?)

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