They want you to spam people?

[Lead]

Quote from email I received today.

Dear Overture Client,

'Overture's referral rewards generated over $800 for us.'
-PayPerClickSearchEngine.com

Overture's Referral Rewards program has helped many advertisers like you earn credits to their account. And here is your opportunity to take advantage of this great program. Earn a $10, $25 or $50 credit to your account every time you refer a new advertiser* to Overture through March 31st 2002. Plus, each advertiser you refer will receive a $10 welcome credit.
Here's How:
We've created and attached a special e-mail message that you can use to tell your referrals about the benefits of advertising with Overture. All you have to do is paste your personal URL in the body copy of the attached word document, and send it to your referrals to start earning your credits.
......
E-mail your referrals.
You're ready to e-mail your referrals and start earning. Send it to as many potential advertisers as you can, because the more advertisers you sign up, the more money we'll credit to your account. This program ends March 31st 2002, so it pays to begin your advertiser referrals today!

At the end of the program, we'll e-mail you to let you know how many of your referrals signed up, and confirm the final bonus credit amount you'll receive!

Thank you and good luck,
Lisa Morita
SVP & General Manager
Online Business & Marketing


I could be mistaken, but aren't they condoning SPAM?

You're ready to e-mail your referrals and start earning. Send it to as many potential advertisers as you can,

Lead :hi:

[ihelpyou]

Gawd yes they are. They worded it very badly. I know that was probably not there intention, but that is the way it came out in the email. If I receive ONE single email as to Overture from anyone, I will prosecute them and the sender to the maximum. You can bet on that.

[MsSearch]

I don't think they their intention is for you to spam people....but you will be rewarded if you recommend Overture's services to others.

[ihelpyou]

Very true but if I get an email from someone who I have zero contact with, and they have that overture Url in it and solicit me, That is Spam.

[Kal]

I agree with Doug. This is very irresponsible marketing and without an official "affiliate" program to justify it, it's nothing more than a spam campaign to induce more spam campaigns. :eek:

[MsSearch]

I agree that this was worded poorly...

What about if you were to set up Overture accounts on behalf of your clients using yourself as their referrer? (of course, this is with the permission of the client)...then you could take advantage of receiving the rewards (credits to your account)...

[Lead]

Since all Overture customers have web sites, they should have given you a link or banner to put on your web site to sign people up, not promote unsolicited email.

Lead :hi:

[ihelpyou]

VERY good point Lead. That would have been the professional thing to do instead of telling their newsletter list to SPAM all advertisers whether you know them or not. All advertisers could mean Every web site on the net... right?

[litmania.com]

I hate to defend those people at Overture, who are polluting the net, but I don't think they meant to condone spam; as someone said earlier, it's just badly worded.

[Mel]

I cannot see how this could automatically be considered spam. If for instance youhave an opt-in email list of individuals who have asked to be notified about marketing opportunites then sending this message to them would not be spam.

Just because the subject is something you do not like does not automatically classify the message as spam.

[Lead]

That is a good point.
You could be right about opt in mail lists.
But most people don't have opt in mail lists of web site owners.
You may though because that is your business.
I am sure looking back on it they agree it was worded poorly.

[ihelpyou]

Send it to as many potential advertisers as you can, because the more advertisers you sign up, the more money we'll credit to your account.
YES. Very badly worded. To me that says, "Send it to as many potential advertisers as you can, because the more advertisers you sign up, the more money we'll credit to your account." .. :)

They are telling us to send to as many "potential" as you can. That means all web sites on the net. Very badly worded. They don't say to your opt-in list, they say "all potential".