[Ron Curry]

(Note from Ron: This applys to dumb jokes, chain letters, etc. etc. as well.)


Never, ever, ever, never send anyone an email about anything, (especially your product or service) if the recipient did not specifically email you for that information and you are responding to their request.

Contrary to those who argue this point with me when I ask them to cease spamming myself or my clients, sending UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email) is not an accepted practice of cold calling or lead generating online.


un·so·lic·it·ed
Not looked for or requested; unsought

The way online works is you should have a great looking Web site that gets found when looked for - that is one of many ways to generate leads online. Emailing strangers is not one of them. Worse yet, to do so and include an attachment not only shows of lack of respect for those you are emailing, but your lack of understanding in regard to the very technology you are using! Your actions will most certainly have a negative effect on your reputation or future business potential.

Common courtesies go a long way online when trying to foster relationships of any kind - including the perception you understand how to correctly use technology. Include an overly large attachment (over 100K) that is not compressed in a format that requires one have the same software as you do (don't count on the fact they do) will cause those on the other side to wonder what else you don't get. Why would someone want to do business with you when you pull that? Files should only be sent in a format that you know the other side has the appropriate software to view - because you asked first! (No, not everyone has MS Publisher or Power Point.)

To assume that what you determine to be informative or useful will be accepted in kind by people you may not know very well, or at all for that matter, is a poor assumption at best. To assume that folks "need" the information you want to provide as though if given a choice, they wouldn't know better and you need to send it anyway is perceived as condescending. These actions can produce dramatic reactions from those sick and tired of being sent info/files/attachments they didn't request and wouldn't request if given the opportunity. This includes not only commercial sales collateral or SPAM but for the "send to all your friends" emails that many who have been online for sometime now have filtered directly to our trash.

Do not just forward "informative" emails that say "forward to everyone you know". In fact if the email says that - you're safe to just hit delete. Dime to a dollar "everyone" will not appreciate your efforts. Doesn't matter how nice or commendable the topic supposedly is. Especially if you just click forward and add a list of emails and do not include a personalized:

"Hi, John, thought you might find this interesting".
Jane


To assume that because so many people are sending junk email that means it is "O.K.", acceptable or the same as cold-calling off-line, you couldn't be further from the truth. Cold-calling online is called SPAM! Spammers get their accounts cancelled by ISPs every day. Credible, ethical business folks simply do not email potential business contacts or customers they do not know about their commercial enterprise, services or products without permission first. Especially if the files are large and software specific.

There is no government law or statue that now authorizes this type of email as many Spammers state at the end of their junk mail. You don't believe everything you read do you? If so, you are the type these Spammers are counting on! Remember, online one can type anything they please - that does not make their claims ethical, true or accurate. There are no remove lists when it comes to Spammers or companies you have not had previous contact with. Never follow instructions from unscrupulous Spammers that state you just need to hit reply to be removed from further mailings. That is an outright lie. Because, if you do, you will have just confirmed you are a LIVE account and your junk mail will increase exponentially as your email address is resold over and over again.

Those who SPAM, (send junk email) are looked at as lazy, obnoxious, unethical, and unable to make a buck the right way - by working hard, by doing their due diligence, by having a credible product or needed service that one can view at their nice looking Web site that gets found when looked for. Run from the business that when you point out their SPAM is not appreciated they flame you back with name-calling and accusations that you don't get it. These are the worst folks of all and they deserve to be reported to: Spam Cop which will weed through the email to determine where it really originated from and report them if possible.

Have you noticed how most Spammers do not have a Web site (or if they do it is the epitome of amateurish) and/or they hide their email identity? Why do you think that is if spamming folks is O.K. as they would like you to believe?

Because they would be reported to their Web site hosting company and most likely their Web site, if they have one, will be shut down.
Their ISP will cancel their account upon receipt of Spam complaints or ensuing mail bombs.
Their Web site or company name would end up on the many black-list sites run by people on a mission to portray Spammers for what they are. Snake oil salesmen!

If you are not sure how to market your product or service online within established guidelines, hire a professional to help you out and keep you out of trouble.

When it comes to SPAM, just remember what your mother use to say: "If everyone jumped off a bridge - would you?".


[ More Info? Article: How to Identify and Handle Spam ]


As a courtesy to your fellow Netizens, don't fill their mail boxes with email only you feel is important with out their permission first.