When Is It Spamming?

24 Comments

Comment by Jason on February 7, 2008 at 3:38pm

In my opinion, I don't think it would be spamming as long as you are not soliciting, and are just providing them with an update on your current business standing and your intentions for your business. To me it would be spamming if you were to outright ask them to purchase something.

Comment by Jon D. Speer on February 7, 2008 at 3:47pm

So if I were to share information about an upcoming event where my business is speaking, this would be acceptable? The event is to provide information. There will be no explicit sales pitch.
Thanks for your feedback.

Comment by Jason on February 7, 2008 at 4:02pm

It would be acceptable, that is not what I would consider to be spamming at all. Your main goal is to just inform people of upcoming events for your business and let them know that you will be having a speaking engagement upcoming that they are welcome to attend.

Comment by Michelle Connell on February 7, 2008 at 4:36pm

I completely agree that it is not spamming. I personally love using Constant Contact to send out mass emails, updates, newsletters etc... to my customers. Many of them thank me for any reminders and new things I let them know about. I think we are all so "nervous" that we are going to overstep our boundaries with our customers that sometimes we forget they appreciate the little things. Good luck!

Comment by Jon D. Speer on February 7, 2008 at 4:56pm

Michelle & Jason - Thanks for your great comments and insight.
j

Comment by Joh Padgett on February 7, 2008 at 5:04pm

Spamming is generally accepted to mean any kind of unwanted email from someone you don't have any kind of contact with prior to receiving the email. What you wish to do is considered more like email marketing.

In fact, I just had a related discussion with some folks here about an experience I recently had with Exact Target, the local email marketing specialist that aims its services at larger clients. Constant Contact and MyEmma both were recommended to me by SI folks and a friend also turned me onto Your Mailing List Provider as well. These are companies who specialize in helping you manage your email lists and send mass emails to market your company or product.

Comment by Kyle Lacy on February 7, 2008 at 5:30pm

Emma and Constant Contact are amazing platforms.

Comment by Lorraine Ball on February 7, 2008 at 7:52pm

Seth Godin says “Real permission is different from presumed or legalistic permission. Just because you somehow get my email address doesn’t mean you have permission.”

As a serious eMail marketer, with numerous clients who do the same, I don’t want him to be right, but I know he is. People are tired of reciveing emails they didn’t ask for, unsolicited sales pitches and requests for their attention.

The challenge? We have to be better marketers to earn their permission!
For more on this subject see Godin's post:
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/01/permission-mark.html

Also read Jim Cota’s notes on the subject! http://www.rarebirdinc.com/blog/2008/02/if-you-read-nothing-else-today-read.html

And just FYI, Constant Contact will tell you that unless they have agreed to receive your email it is spam.

How to overcome this? Give them an option to unsubsribe and respect the request.

Comment by Bob Hettel on February 7, 2008 at 9:07pm

I spent several years in a formal life dealing with this issue. Nothing like being locked in a conference room for 8 hours with lawyers and corporate execs debating goverment regulations.

Essentially any email that is sent unsolicited (some has not opt'd into) is considered spam, in particular if the message is aimed at selling you something. However, emails aimed at people you have existing relationships with and are not specificly selling - such as reminders, newsletters etc... do seem to have some excemption.

I do however agree with Lorraine on Seth Godwins take that unless I specifically ask you to send me e-mail you are probably in my mind sending me spam; and much like junk mail I may or may not be all that upset - in particular if we have a relationship.

In the end it is a fine line but if they are your active customers you are probably fine legally. However you will need to provide a means to opt out and make sure they are your customers.... If you are sending e-mail to purchased lists or prospects that have not specifically opt'd in you may be crossing a legal line.

Comment by Jim Brown on February 7, 2008 at 9:48pm

All Email is Spam.

I actually did a workshop on that subject. I pray that soon we will understand that 'mass' anything - is not the right approach. Targeted, relevant messages, will actually drive MUCH higher responses than email 'blasts.'

Even in the idea of 'permission based' marketing... sure one day I might give you 'permission' to send me email. However, lets say as you send me your monthly newsletter, I increasingly care less and less, and then the next time I'm having a horrible day and I get your email... guess what... it's SPAM.

I strongly believe that 2008 will be the year of 'triggered' email. Meaning emails are sent to small groups based on specific action they have (or have not) taken.

This, coming from and email marketer - who LOVES email.

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