Should you send spam (unsolicited commercial email), knowingly or otherwise, you will be putting your business and your reputation in grave danger. Spam has become the scourge of the Internet!
Internet Service Providers (ISP) can and will black-list you and shut you down ie turn off your access to the Internet - remember that not only is your domain logged but also your computer IP address.
Typically, today, when you join an opt-in list, you are asked to confirm your subscription via email.
Definition: Opt-in email is email sent to people who have given their permission to be contacted via email on a particular subject. It builds on existing relationships with customers, newsletter subscribers, affiliates, business contacts and sales leads.
Definition: Spam is basically ...
- Unwanted email sent by a company or person with whom the recipient has had no prior contact.
- Unwanted email sent to someone who has specifically requested to be removed from the sender's mailing list.
Here's a list of 6 points to consider BEFORE sending any emails to your list ...
1. If your message is being sent to people you have no relationship with, it's spam.
2. If your offer is fraudulent or promotes fraudulent activities, it's spam.
3. If you're using deceptive subject lines to trick people into opening your message, it's spam.
4. If you're using a phone or nonexistent "From" email address or name, it's spam.
5. If you're forging the headers on your message, so that it looks like it came from someone or
somewhere else, it's spam.
6. If you do not include an easy way for recipients to unsubscribe from your list, it's spam.
The 7 basic rules you MUST follow to avoid being accused of spamming are ...
1. Keep records of how and when people are added to your list.
2. Track requests to opt out and remove people who opt out immediately.
3. Post your Privacy Policy on your website.
4. Investigate third-party service providers.
5. Be careful when using rental list.
6. Use a real return email address.
7. Provide easy instructions on how to unsubscribe from your list.
Eg: You are receiving this email because you are a XYZ Member. This update is sent out as a courtesy to our members about once a week to keep them abreast of important news events and changes to XYZ. If you wish to no longer receive these emails, that's fine, but we don't recommend it! It's vital that you stay abreast with what's happening in order to get the most out of your daily XYZ practice. If you understand the above and you still wish to stop receiving these updates, please send a blank email to: leave-XYZ@domain name.com
Fran Piggott is an experienced marketer and always looking for ways to increase sales for her clients. She is the author of AWeber On Steroids - Discover 18 superpower tactics for managing your most valuable asset in Internet marketing!
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