Ever sent a sales email and watched your unsubscribe count spike? Don't panic — this episode is exactly what you need. Liz Wilcox — the Fresh Princess of Email Marketing — breaks down why unsubscribes after a sales email are not only normal but actually good for your list health. In this encouraging and practical episode, Liz shares four simple actions you can take to reduce unsubscribes, strengthen your sales strategy, and grow a more engaged audience.
The listener email that inspired this episode — "Liz, I sent a sales email and got way more unsubscribes than usual. What should I do?"
Why unsubscribes increase when you start selling — and why that's a sign of growth, not failure.
Tip #1: Keep selling.
Let the "dead weight" go — unsubscribes clear space for real buyers.
You're not here to please everyone; you're here to serve the people who need what you sell.
Tip #2: Check your welcome sequence.
Set clear expectations from day one: tell subscribers you'll be offering both free and paid products.
Add a line like: "I'm going to offer you free and paid resources because I'm a real business with real solutions."
The goal: fewer surprises when it's time to sell.
Tip #3: Add a tripwire.
Offer a low-cost product immediately after someone subscribes to your list.
Example: Liz's $9 Email Marketing Membership offer that appears right after someone grabs her freebie.
This instantly teaches subscribers that you sell — and filters out freebie-only folks.
Tip #4: Keep growing your list.
Think of it like refueling a car — every time you send an email, especially a sales one, some fuel burns off.
Consistent list-building keeps your audience fresh, engaged, and growing over time.
Bonus: Liz's recommended tripwire course by Eden Fried (linked below).
Unsubscribes are healthy: They remove people who were never going to buy anyway.
Set expectations early: Tell subscribers upfront that you sell.
Use a tripwire: Introduce your offers right away to filter your list naturally.
List growth is fuel: Keep attracting new subscribers so you can keep selling confidently.
Selling is service: You're helping people by sharing your paid solutions — don't shy away from it.
Check out Liz's Email Marketing Membership here
Join the Email Sound Booth Facebook group here
Check out Liz's free welcome sequence here
Liz's Kit [Convertkit] affiliate link
Rather watch the Podcast? Check out WATCHLIZ.COM
Episode 39: Ouch! Getting over Unsubscribes
