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How can I use a mailing list without spamming?

I am a total newbie to internet marketing and I am excited by the many opportunities I've found. Recently, I joined a new group through an affiliate link and when I paid, was given a list of 125,000 names and addresses. I want to send an affiliate marketing email to them. How should I start doing it without violating SPAM regulations? I need help, please!!

Dave's Answer:

Well, I'm not sure how to say this, but odds are good that any message you send will be considered spam, regardless of how you phrase things. The problem is, the people on that list didn't sign up to get mail from you, they signed up for some other list or agreed to get mail from someone other than you.

The only way I can imagine that this is untrue is if, when people signed up for the other list, they also checked a box saying "I'm interested in receiving email from third parties with related offers and information" in which case you might well be clear to send out a message.

Nonetheless, my suggestion is to send out one message to the list then trash it.

Before you do, however, set up a separate list that people can join, test it extensively to ensure it works right, then send out a message like this:

Hello there. I'm sending you this message because you signed up to receive useful and important information from XXY YZZ and he thought you'd appreciate hearing about my new list.

My name's X Y, I have a background in XX (I've been doing that for quite a few years now) and am creating a new list called XYZ where I'm going to share my insider experiences and tips to anyone who'd like to join, absolutely free. Hopefully you'll sign up: I promise it'll be a great information source.

Ready to join me and learn more about XX? Splendid! Please click on the link below and join your many colleagues on the list:

http:// some url or other

As a special thank you, I'll send you a copy of my new ebook "Fifteen Things You Never Knew about XX" absolutely free. It's a great way to get started and I'm sure you'll find it well worth reading.

Thanks and regards,

your name
your email address

That's the best recommendation I can offer, and I'd still encourage you to go back to your list source and ask for details of exactly what expectations the people who are on the list have in terms of your message. And good luck to you!

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Categorized: Building Web site traffic (Article 7023)
Tagged: affiliate marketing, joint ventures, mailing lists, spam
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Comments

Better also include your physical mailing address in that one email as well, to stay legal. good luck! - j

Posted by: jeff at November 30, 2006 9:36 AM

I have to agree with Dave. I can't imagine why anyone would literally hand over a mailing list of 125,000 names for absolutely no cost. Seems fishy to me. There are much safer ways to build a list. I'd try emailing everyone on you personal email list and ask them to join your new list.

Just a thought... : )

Brian
medifast

Posted by: Brian Stephenson at December 1, 2006 5:23 PM

Wow they just handed you 125,000 leads - those must be good solid leads! NOT!

First question is how old are these leads? If they are older than 1 hour then throw them away. These people have alreaady forgoten that they gave someone permission to send them an email.

I wouldn't even send the email that Dave suggests. Even if you followed the CAN SPAM regulations and put in an opt out link and your physical address in the message. These leads are totally worthless and if you send them an email you will be considered a spammer. These people will wonder why they are getting an email from you, most will just delete it, some will reply asking to be removed (some politley and some with some strong workds), and some will report you as a spammer.

Look at those this way - if you recieved an email from a total stranger sellnig some program that you either never heard of or may have heard of but don't remember signing up to a newsletter what would you do? I would delete it before I even read the first line.

I would not use these leads for anything - you have to ask yourself if it is worth te trouble.

If you are looking at getting leads then I suggest you look into coregistration and get real time delivered leads - now those are valuable!

Posted by: Chris Stirling at December 6, 2006 8:12 PM

I have a lot to say, but ...

I have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but most of all I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a chai!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!