Internet Marketing Tycoon

**TWD** · 06-30-2010, 02:32 AM

If a client wants to send out unsolicited email advertising to everyone who has bought her product from site launch until now (about 200 customers),
what are the implications.

From what I have read there is a possibility of spam complaints being sent to the website hosting company and in theory could lead to the website being closed down. Sounds extreme but people say it has happened.

At the very least it is bound to piss off a few people.

How hard should I argue against the idea, if at all?

**chrishirst** · 06-30-2010, 08:21 AM

unsolicited emails are ones sent to unknown email addresses or to people you have had no previous dealings with.

Sending courtesy emails to people who have purchased products or services is NOT sending unsolicited emails.

**TWD** · 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Sending courtesy emails to people who have purchased products or services is NOT sending unsolicited emails.

It seems like there is a narrow gray area.
According to my web hosting company's TOS.

Quote:

If you want to send out a newsletter, you must have a double opt-in system. This means that if someone has provided you with their email address, you must then send out an email saying something like, "You have just signed up to receive our email newsletter. If this is correct, please reply to this email. If you did not intend to sign up for the newsletter, delete this message and you will not be bothered again."

You must also have an automated opt out link - a link somewhere in the email that they can click to unsubscribe. It must be automated, so that upon clicking the link, they are automatically removed from the mailing list.

So are courtesy emails outlawed? Here is what they have to say.

Quote:

If the email is sent regarding their original purchase, then it is probably fine. If it is sent regarding a future possible purchase, then it is probably a problem.

**chrishirst** · 06-30-2010, 09:11 AM

If the first email is one that says "Hi you bought XX ...."

If that's now "illegal" somebody had better tell every Amazon and Ebay seller!

**TWD** · 06-30-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

If the first email is one that says "Hi you bought XX ...."

If that's now "illegal" somebody had better tell every Amazon and Ebay seller!

Sounds like you mean the original sales confirmation email?
I don't think anyone is disputing that's OK.

It's more an issue of whether its Ok to contact the customer 6 months after the event and try to promote your latest gear.
It might not even be a question of "legality" but a question of whether it runs foul of your particular hosting company's TOS.

Hosting companies have a vested interest in not getting on anyone's spamming blacklist so they are likely to be very hard line about enforcing non-spamming practices.

**chrishirst** · 06-30-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Sounds like you mean the original sales confirmation email?
I don't think anyone is disputing that's OK.

Nope

Message that follow after delivery;

"Would you like to review product XYZ"
"Are you happy with your purchase" etc.

The whole "can-spam" thing is about stopping the MASS emailers

Rear 1129087654320@whatever.com

It's not about stopping you from sending legitimate messages to existing customers. Give those customers a way to say "No thanks" and you should be fine.

**WebhostGIANT-Rob** · 06-30-2010, 10:02 AM

Just do not allow them this kind of activity. I do not think that would be big lost for you

**TWD** · 06-30-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WebhostGIANT-Rob

Just do not allow them this kind of activity. I do not think that would be big lost for you

Opinions on the tv series LOST are covered in a different thread. Don't get me started...