Archives for October 2012

Want To Import An eMail List?

As more businesses begin to understand the importance of eMail Marketing, we are getting more questions on importing contacts into the list.
I have written about eMail Marketing elsewhere on this blog site. You can scroll down and click on the category eMail to get the related articles. And this is what FTC has to say about CAN-SPAM Act.
eMail service providers use reputation logic to decide if the message sent is wanted by the receiver. It’s a complex algorithm but it involves bounce rate, spam complain and subscriber engagement
Most eMail Marketing vendors will advise that you can only include those who have expressed an interest in subscribing to our email list either through a web form or some written explicit form.
That is to protect you from being perceived as spamming, which has its consequences. Here’s a process flow diagram that will help you prepare for your email list import.

What If I Include An Unsubscribe Button?
Here are some common questions raised.
“Must I really get explicit permission from my contacts before I include them in my email database? What if I give them an option to unsubscribe? Is that good enough?”
Answer: The unsubscribe link will be included in all emails but that unfortunately does not replace getting permission from the contact.
“But at least we are respecting them and giving them the option to opt out. We are respecting their choices, right?”
Answer: Most eMail vendors will agree that this is not permission-based marketing and advise against including them in your mail. This is proceeding without getting permission although giving them a way out. More often than not, people get annoyed and you may be penalized for that.
“But we have been receiving these mails regularly!”
Answer: Yes, lots of them all the time. And we do not like being sent emails we did not ask for. Just as we do not like getting unsolicited sms blast.
So Here’s a a little mind map diagram that will hopefully pain the picture a little clearer.

Permission Based Marketing And Friday Night Pizza Movie

Click on the diagram and it will expand.

Would you rather your friend asks if he can come over for Pizza this Friday or just appear at your door step? He is after all a friend who knows you and likes you. And imagine him calling on you every other Friday without asking for proper permission …