“Hot or Not” With Your Target Market

There’s a site online called “Hot or Not” where you can rate men and women on their attractiveness, from 1 being “not hot” to 10 being “hot.”  I got two emails last week from two different ezine subscribers, one rating me “hot” (on content, not appearance) and one rating me “not” (again on content).

In my Note from Donna article, I mentioned that I have had insomnia since my mid-40s and that I attribute that to the onset of menopause, as many female colleagues and friends have reported similar symptoms at this age.  I went back and forth in my head about whether or not to write this article, as I do know that I have a number of males on my list, and this subject seems to make them uncomfortable.

Since this is really what’s going on with me, I decided to be authentic and roll with it.  A day later, I got the following email from a male subscriber, who wanted to let me know why he unsubscribed to my list:  “I can’t relate to you… I just read an article about how you’re going through menopause… I’m obviously not your target market…”

Now, I’m not sure if that comment reeks of ageism, sexism, or both, but it did give me a pretty good laugh. He writes as if my entire ezine was devoted to menopause, and nothing is farther from the truth..LOL  In my head, I wished him well and hoped that he found someone else who wouldn’t taint his view of him/her by writing about mid-life issues.

I’ve also had male subscribers leave my list because they believed that I shared too much personal information. In this case where I received these emails, I shared a story of my growing up years as a lead-in and explanation of why I was selling a particular product.  I really can’t change who I am for anyone, so these former subscribers, too, were sent off joyfully to search for staid, corporate persona they seemed to be seeking.

From the same ezine issue last week came this email from a female subscriber:  “Just wanted to send a quick note to let you know how much I enjoy your newsletter each week. I love the little personal tidbit you write, always interesting, never too long – just right to make me feel like you’re talking to Me!  And I love your recommendations you provide. I continually learn so much from you. I thank you…I am one of your true fans and greatly appreciate you and your talent.”

Guess I just got confirmation about the gender of my target market, haven’t I? <g>  I don’t want to leave out my male reaaders who are ok with being in touch with (or least acknowledge) the feminine side..;)