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[A225]Add Email To Spam

by Steve Lillo, Ste

We're discussing the effective use of email lists and bulk email for website and business promotion. Bulk email essentially consists of sending the same message to some number of recipients at the same time. Spam is characterized as sending bulk mail to recipients whom you have had no prior contact or permission. This would include purchasing an email list from a list provider and sending email to that list - even if the provider tells you that everyone on the list has "opted in."

The issue of whether or not to send Spam can be summed up in three words - "don't do it." Since the passage of the CANSPAN Act it's currently illegal under Federal law to send specific types of messages that could be classified as SPAM. Sending SPAM is also generally not permitted by Internet Service Providers under their "terms of service" agreement. Many internet service providers will issue a warning on the first occurrence and cancel a client's service on the second. The reason for zero tolerance is that while the responsible party can literally send millions of messages almost for free, the costs associated with sending, delivering and receiving spam are incurred by the recipient whose time is spent processing unwanted mail as well as the service providers that transport and store email. It's estimated that the worldwide cost is over $100 billion per year. Currently the volume of SPAM is responsible for around 90% of all email traffic.

The other reasons for not sending Spam are the impact it can have on your reputation and the risk of interruption or cancellation of service. Another critical issue for service providers whose client's send spam is that mail sent from their network can be blocked by other service providers trying to stop spam from reaching their clients; potentially affecting thousands of customers.

So, if we can't send Spam, what can we us bulk email for?

Bulk email is great tool for keeping in touch with your clients and customers, sending newsletters, service messages, announcing special offers and more. It can also be used to keep in contact with prospects on an ongoing basis and is an effective sales tool for generating new business. Systems can be implemented that make it easy to send automated messages on a regular basis, even allowing you to send a series of messages. Systems can also be implemented which make it easy for visitors to subscribe to your list. Subscriber management features also make it easy for you to add, delete, schedule and send messages as required. Some systems also provide the ability to track a message to see what percentage of messages are opened, and if there's a link in the message, what percentage of messages had clicks.

Important Tips:

* Create an opt-in email list on your website. Give the visitor something for free where they need to provide you their name and email address to receive it.

* Don't buy a database of email addresses and send them bulk email - this is Spam.

* Collect email addresses on a "sign up sheet" at public events, trade shows and presentations. Let them know on the form that they will be added to your email

* If you send bulk email to your list, make it easy for them to unsubscribe. You also need to include a physical address and phone number at the bottom of each message.

* Be sensitive to your list - people are busy and they get lots of email. Give them an ongoing reason to open your messages.

Spam has been a problem for over a decade and plagues literally everyone who uses the Internet these days. From free email accounts to highly protected corporate servers, spam finds it way into our everyday lives. Spam has gotten so bad that even free email accounts offer some form of spam protection.

An industry was born when this stubborn form of unsolicited advertising started it's ruthless assault on the world's inboxes. Anti-spam software went off the shelves upon it's first arrival as savvy surfers realized that they couldn't take the intrusive emailings any longer.

While anti-spam software is still utilized today spam still finds it's way into your inbox unless you decide to be a complete hermit and ban email altogether. With anti-spam software you may also find that many awaited emails may get trapped in the spam box, and even worse, accidentally deleted.

Software may help your situation, but a majority of the problem actually lies within you. If you have signed up for newsletters, more information on a money making opportunity, or signed up for a paid to survey site you more than likely have already set you inbox up for a total ambush.

When signing up for anything online, make sure you read all the terms and conditions in regards to releasing your information. Many companies make money by selling or renting a list of emails to companies and sometimes crooks. The more your email is put into forms, the more chances you have at having your email attacked. If you frequently sign up for offers and deals, you are probably setting yourself up.

When signing up for offers online one step is to uncheck any boxes that state an offer to receive third party emails. Third party emails will be considered permission based and legal however you may find you get more than you bargained for, so be forewarned.

Always read the fine print that lets you know the legal details of your submitted email address. Most sites will state they will not resell your email to anyone and while it may be true, it may also be false. Examine the site requesting your information, if it seems shady and your unsure of the integrity of the site, leave it alone.

Beware of money making and work at home sites that are vague in their descriptions of the opportunity. Many of times these sites will ask you to give your email to them before sending you your money making information. What happens with many of these sites is that they are in the business of selling leads, in this case, your information.

I am not saying these sites necessarily sell your information to criminals, but they do offer the leads as MLM leads for other work at home people needing to recruit new members. When they mention you will be contacted shortly by a representative, they mean several people with MLM opportunities.

Many of times these kinds of leads get funneled down as buyers loose interest and are resold to less savory characters at a far lesser price. It is when this happens the quality of emails will really deteriorate and begin to become annoying and possibly harmful.

There are other methods of creating email databases to spam. Some spammers will use randomizing software that randomly creates emails and many of us win the lucky lottery on this method regardless of how we guard our addresses.

All in all spam is nothing that will be disappearing tomorrow. It is up to you ultimately however to protect your address as best you can to not become a victim of 100+ daily spam emails that some are victim to already.

Article Source : Pg. 6

About Author

Both Steve Lillo & Aaron Siegel are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Steve Lillo has sinced written about articles on various topics from Email Advertising, Web Development. Steve Lillo is President of PlanetLink a website design and consulting firm which specializes in creating websites which get results. They also provide their Web Rx Service for assessing and increasing the effectiveness of existing websites. PlanetLink ca. Steve Lillo's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.

Aaron Siegel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Mobile Phone Reviews, Email Advertising and Family. TopSavings.Net - are easy to compare and order online. Compare major providers in your area by entering simple email and p. Aaron Siegel's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.