Yesterday Jan decided he’d heard enough from OnlineItalianClub.com.
“Too much post and anything of use is not free, totally mislead when I joined.”
Jan’s clearly a bright guy and has understood our game. Spam everyone and make as much cash as possible!
He also figured out that, at the bottom of each e-mail we send, there’s a cunningly concealed unsubscribe link (on the last line, where it says ‘Unsubscribe’.)
Scroll down now and click it, see what happens.
You go to a page which says:
You are subscribed to the following lists:
| Subscribed | Unsubscribed | List Name | Description | Signup Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| italianclub | Online Italian Club contact list | 09-10-2013 05:11 AM |
If, like Jan, you’d rather not hear from us again, click the ‘Unsubscribed’ radio button, and then the big green button with ‘Save my Subscriber Settings’
The next screen says:
| You have been unsubscribed from the selected list(s). |
| Please help us improve by letting us know why you have unsubscribed.Comments: |
That’s your chance to write something kind like
‘I don’t have time to learn Italian any more, but thanks for everything!’
Or if you prefer, you could do like Jan and point out that everything on the site is useless except the things that are for sale, and that you’ve been totally mislead.
And that will be the end of that. No more emails from me.
You won’t get the rest of the B1 listening series. But then it’s useless anyway.
Or the 10 or so biographies of famous Italian scientists and historical figures that we recorded this (Sunday) morning and which we’ll be publishing at a rate of two or three a week for the rest of the month.
But who cares?
Or the 39 recordings in the up-coming series of ‘grammar listenings’ (all the pronouns, all the tense forms, one text for each) which will be recorded next week and published throughout the autumn.
Sounds like a waste of time, don’t you think?
Better to have a nice empty in-box and avoid the never-ending offers for e-books, online lessons and so on which partly pay for the cost of running this site.
So seriously, don’t want any more e-mails from us?
Just scroll down the page now and click the unsubscribe link. No hard feelings!
P.S.
Jan’s comment got me incavolato. Sorry. Normal service resumes tomorrow with the next in the series of B1 listenings.
P.P.S.
Last chance for the two new e-books at the special launch price – ends in a few hours!
Karen says
Well it takes all sorts I suppose. You must appreciate the rest of us think the website is great, soak up all the free stuff which is of high quality. You provide stuff in response to our requests and keep us motivated with the regular emails and articles. I don’t know where he/she was looking or what the expectations were, as the old saying goes “Rise above it, my dear, rise above it” Can you say that in Italian? I might need to if one of my neighbours moans again about my air con box ( perché e brutto) Incidentally the word of the day for me has to be “incavolato” and I won’t forget it as I will remember your post, so thanks again! I never noticed that person participating, so no loss really. Just keep up the good work. PS the paid for items are good value
Daniel says
Ciao Karen,
‘cavolo’ (cabbage!) and ‘incavolato’ (really annoyed!) are, as the link explains, euphemisms, and very useful ones at that. Enjoy!
Daniel
P.S. I’m reminded of one of those celebrity interviews in which the star is asked which one word he over-uses, and replies that he’s unable to say in a family newspaper, but that it ends in ‘-azzo’.
Dot Read says
Daniel, you are doing a great job. I am one of those people who can only dip in and out of Italian at the moment, so haven’t contributed for a long time but I read your emails and do try some of the (free!) listening and grammar exercises from time to time. But your site is invaluable because I know I can always find something to practise or to learn, which is what we all need. I have bought some of the e-books, which are very useful, and I have been to the school – totally brilliant.
People have a right to say how they feel and of course that’s how it should be. Not necessarily easy for you guys, but that’s business, I guess. But so many other people are finding help and, more importantly, encouragement here – that speaks for itself.
Keep up the good work! Lots of people rely on it.
Dot
Daniel says
Wise words, Dot. Thank you. Hope your Italian is making progress, despite your workload!
Daniel says
So far two unsubscribes:
Frank gives his reason as ‘Same as Jan’. Thanks for your feedback, Frank.
Paul unsubscribed saying ‘I don’t appreciate your comments about Jan. Jan was wrong about the value of your site, but you were, in my opinion, more wrong to respond the way you did in such a public venue. That’s not how to build a community.’ It’s a point of view, I guess.
Many, many thanks to everyone who has emailed privately. You’ve massively cheered me up!
Linda writes: “I have told so many people about your amazing site and how much of great value is totally FREE ! The listening exercises are worth their weight in gold. I listen over and over. I have no other opportunity to hear Italian spoken at a normal rate. Please keep doing what you do. ”
Claude emailed: “For what it’s worth Daniel, I love your emails. They are full of invaluable information. As far as I’m concerned, all the work and effort you put into them is priceless. I’m learning tons thanks to you. I very much appreciate it. I would not want to do without your invaluable help and great sense of humor.!”
George kindly added: “Having been learning Italian for 2 years, I must say that your website is the best I have used by far . Look forward to buying more books from your published list.”
Gerald liked the euphemism: “Grazie, Daniel, per il nesso a Treccani.it (fra “incavolato”). Sara molto utile!”
Daniel (an American lawyer, not me) commented: “Hang in there, man. I love what you do, by the way. And your response to Jan is both brilliant and very Christian. As a busy avocato non con tempo libero I simply hit delete when I have no time to “play Italian.” Keep up the good work. I hope you make millions!”
Greg wrote in: “As the saying goes, you can’t please everyone. Don’t be too upset. I’m very thankful for your website.”
And finally there was Anastasyia: “Guys…you made me laugh a lot reading this e-mail… )))))You are making fantastic work here, i know i am one of the thousands, but THANK YOU!!!!!”
John Thomson says
Dai Daniel, dai
non ti preoccupi
sono con Karen e Nina
ma, non devo usare le parolacche
siamo con te e grazie
John
Daniel says
Grazie a te, John!
Kelli Courtney says
We love you Daniel! You and this website are very ‘cool’! There isn’t anything else like this out there;
your Italian language newsletters, even this one, are the best!
Daniel says
That’s kind of you, Kelli. Thank you.
Jo says
Hi Daniel
Well I’m inspired to leave a post today because I and I’m sure many others, really appreciate all the free content, online exercises, listening exercises and audio books and all the work that goes into creating these by you and the teachers. I’m registered on quite a few Italian learning (or language learning) sites and this one is absolutely the best! So don’t worry about the odd plonker. You guys rock!! Ciao, Jo : )
Katy Wheeler says
Hi Jo and Daniel – I logged in specifically to post a supportive comment, but I see Jo has already said exactly what I was going to say. Keep up the good work – it’s been great and long may it continue! 😀
Daniel says
Hi Katy,
Nice to hear from you. And thanks for the smiley face.
Daniel
Daniel says
Ciao Jo,
Nice to hear from you again after so long! Hope things are going OK for you. And thanks for the cheering comment!
Daniel
Sieglind says
Some people simply have no idea how much thought, effort and time goes into what you do Daniel. Or they simply had a bad day….. On the other hand, look what a lovely trigger for us to rally around and tell you we love what you do!
Daniel says
Every cloud, Sieglind. Thanks, you’re right!
Veronica Byrne says
Ciao Daniel…
Love your humour!
Daniel says
Ciao Veronica,
Thanks. Unfortunately, Italians often don’t understand my jokes… Writing in English for you guys is a lot easier!
Janet says
There is plenty of value on your website and in your emails. Pay no mind to one nay-sayer!!
Daniel says
Thanks for your support, Janet!