Check Out What Happened When I Unsubscribed From Groupon.com’s Emails
on Feb 19, 2010 - 8:50 AM PSTThis is part of the behind-the-scenes section of Mixergy, which I call etc.
Usually, it’s a struggle to remove myself from an email newsletter. I have to search for the right link and read the fine print and check off the right boxes. Check out how Groupon handled the same process.
I used Wistia to embed this videos because they give me incredible stats. (They’ll have ads here soon.)
Embed this video:
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View Comments to “Check Out What Happened When I Unsubscribed From Groupon.com’s Emails”
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February 19th, 2010 at 9:03 am
This is just brilliant. I take it you signed back up? I would. I might even sign up, just so I can leave each day & resubscribe.
Love how they've turned a boring process into something that actually makes you think and re-consider. For me at least.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:04 am
Wow – poor Derrick.
Did you resubscribe?
February 19th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Pure customer care gold! This way you will at least leave with a smile or feel so guilty that you resubscribe. Did you? ;)
February 19th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Now I want to unsubscribe my Groupon just to have this sent to me.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:35 am
I would feel pretty guilty after watching that poor guy get coffee thrown in his face, but probably not enough to resubscribe. The process they've created is unique. I am curious if it helps get people to sign back up.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Awesome. Derrick may have gotten punished, though Groupon gets a thumbs up for honoring the unsubscribe request. If they don't, then track and report them with WhySpam.Me. Maybe we can't actually slap around spammers, but that site is a close second!
February 19th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Inspiring.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:48 am
No. I've been out of the country for months, so I can't use the site right now.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:49 am
I loved it, but it doesn't make sense to resubscribe till I get back to the US.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Yeah, I was thinking that would be the danger.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:49 am
If torturing an employee is what they have to do to get people to resubscribe, isn't it worth it. ;-)
February 19th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I guess I will add a line item for employee wrongful treatment lawsuits to my list of costs for customer acquisition. Anything in the name of profits!
I wonder…could I have them sign a waiver upon joining? :)
February 19th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Unsubscribing to an email list has never been easier, but after watching this from Groupon I'm a little hesitant.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:57 am
ha – glad you guys like it! We were like 6 people when we made that video… don't think we ever realized that people would see it :-)
Andrew (Derrick) from Groupon
February 19th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I've unsubscribed earlier this week, as well… It was brilliant! Where did the idea come from?
February 19th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Now if Microsoft would do that kind of customer care, they'd be a company we'd actually like again.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:22 am
That was very original! I was thinking it would be valuable if they added a share link next to the “resubscribe” link that would allow you to share with others who may be interested. Something like “not for you, but maybe for your friends”. People who unsubscribe, see the video and still don't want to resubscribe may feel guilty and this could be relieved by sharing it with people.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I do online marketing with a heavy emphasis on email marketing and I have to say your unsubscribe page is by far the best I've ever seen. It's not a common practice to try and persuade email list subscribers to stay subscribed – most unsubscribe pages make it as easy as possible to unsubscribe. This is with good reason – it's pretty hard to pull off without making someone angry, yet you guys have done an amazing job.
February 19th, 2010 at 11:56 am
god damn, could you be any more of a self-obsessed asshole?
February 19th, 2010 at 10:00 am
[...] full post on Hacker News If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it! Tagged with: check • [...]
February 19th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
[...] (via Mixergy) Social Bookmarking [...]
March 9th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
What a great way to soften the blow to an unsubscriber. I try to educate email marketers on how to avoid spam complaints and using unsubscribe techniques like these are a good way to start. In a weird way it makes the unsubscriber feel obligated to re-engage with them, while at the same time it creates a peaceful parting. Great post.
March 24th, 2010 at 11:19 am
[...] Mason did say they would always consider partnerships, with the caveat that they are determined to preserve Groupon’s unique voice. (a good example of their tone is this unsubscribe video.) [...]
May 21st, 2010 at 11:32 am
shut up andrew.
May 21st, 2010 at 6:32 pm
shut up andrew.
December 6th, 2011 at 6:54 am
[...] kann man den Kunden vielleicht sogar dazu überreden, doch im Newsletter zu bleiben, wie man auf der Abmelde-Seite von Groupon bewundern kann: Klick zum [...]