scottiecl
04-10-2002, 10:23/10:23AM
Many people who browse here are of the opinion that ALL UNSOLICITED EMAIL IS SPAM.
In that case, requesting links from other website owners is SPAM.
We think that has value to both sites, and it is personalized, so it doesn't count as SPAM. But it does, in the strictest definition of the word.
A better definition would be:
Unsolicted email that has no value to the reader is spam
"opt-in" emails sent to people who didn't know they were opting-in are spam
"opt-in" emails that are not of the same topic as the original "opt-in" point are spam.
Now, how do you decide if your unsolicted e-mail is spam or not? You always walk a fine line there. If you are promoting gambling, porn, any kind of drugs, make money schemes, super designer sunglasses, or financial services, you fall smack dab into the middle of the SPAM category. No one wants your junk.
If, however, you have a newsletter about whitewater rafting and a list built from customers to whitewater rafting stores, your email is likely to have value to the reader, even though they didn't request it.
I know I get a movie theater newletter that I never signed up for, but I enjoy it and it has value to me- it lets me know about special deals and upcoming events.
I get unsolicited e-mails offering me special deals in my industry and I take note and sometimes even purchase.
The point being made is VALUE. Rushing in and buying a list from the Internet and sending them your hard-sell e-mail is going to get you in trouble and likely get your site shut down.
The core of viral marketing is in email marketing vehicles that get forwarded from user to user because they have value- how did you get Elf Bowling a few years ago? Did you go looking for it or did someone send it to you?
Games, coupons, event listings, jokes, pictures, information & articles- all of these things (if done well) are likely to be passed from user to user by people who KNOW they are interested in the topic.
If you think about building an email campaign the same way you want to build a website, with VALUABLE CONTENT that is truly targeted to the user, you are not doing anything wrong.
Unlike a website, more content is not necessarily better- keep your goal in mind. What do you want the email to DO? Get people to sign up for newsletters, buy a product, come in to your store, etc. Keep it focused.
E-mail lists you or your customer have compiled are the best way to start- you already know a lot about this list and who is on it. Any lists you rent or buy are risky but consider the credibility of the source. Scraping e-mails off web sites is bad news.
Unsolicited email should only be sent ONCE to a user. Give them the option to continue to receive your information but after first contact, the ball should be in their court. Don't ask them to unsubscribe. This has become such a scam to validate email addresses that no one will unsubscribe- they will simply report you to your hosting company.
JUST MY OPINION -feel free to disagree!
In that case, requesting links from other website owners is SPAM.
We think that has value to both sites, and it is personalized, so it doesn't count as SPAM. But it does, in the strictest definition of the word.
A better definition would be:
Unsolicted email that has no value to the reader is spam
"opt-in" emails sent to people who didn't know they were opting-in are spam
"opt-in" emails that are not of the same topic as the original "opt-in" point are spam.
Now, how do you decide if your unsolicted e-mail is spam or not? You always walk a fine line there. If you are promoting gambling, porn, any kind of drugs, make money schemes, super designer sunglasses, or financial services, you fall smack dab into the middle of the SPAM category. No one wants your junk.
If, however, you have a newsletter about whitewater rafting and a list built from customers to whitewater rafting stores, your email is likely to have value to the reader, even though they didn't request it.
I know I get a movie theater newletter that I never signed up for, but I enjoy it and it has value to me- it lets me know about special deals and upcoming events.
I get unsolicited e-mails offering me special deals in my industry and I take note and sometimes even purchase.
The point being made is VALUE. Rushing in and buying a list from the Internet and sending them your hard-sell e-mail is going to get you in trouble and likely get your site shut down.
The core of viral marketing is in email marketing vehicles that get forwarded from user to user because they have value- how did you get Elf Bowling a few years ago? Did you go looking for it or did someone send it to you?
Games, coupons, event listings, jokes, pictures, information & articles- all of these things (if done well) are likely to be passed from user to user by people who KNOW they are interested in the topic.
If you think about building an email campaign the same way you want to build a website, with VALUABLE CONTENT that is truly targeted to the user, you are not doing anything wrong.
Unlike a website, more content is not necessarily better- keep your goal in mind. What do you want the email to DO? Get people to sign up for newsletters, buy a product, come in to your store, etc. Keep it focused.
E-mail lists you or your customer have compiled are the best way to start- you already know a lot about this list and who is on it. Any lists you rent or buy are risky but consider the credibility of the source. Scraping e-mails off web sites is bad news.
Unsolicited email should only be sent ONCE to a user. Give them the option to continue to receive your information but after first contact, the ball should be in their court. Don't ask them to unsubscribe. This has become such a scam to validate email addresses that no one will unsubscribe- they will simply report you to your hosting company.
JUST MY OPINION -feel free to disagree!