[Jacqui]

Was wondering if any of the experienced/seasoned affiliate managers here apply some specific set of strategies or tools to ensure that their email blasts are not considered as spam by their recipients.

By strategies I mean do's and don'ts on your email content. Perhaps phrases or statements to avoid in creating your email template.

For the "tools", I'm referring to your highly recommended software to be used for sending email blasts.

Thank you.

[markwelch]

I think that when you use the term "email blast," you're absolutely starting with the wrong attitude -- which will likely deter many folks from providing helpful advice.

[MichaelColey]

I think it boils down to:

1) Where did you get the email addresses, and
2) What are the recipients expecting.

If they didn't give their email address to you, specifically to receive the email blasts that you're sending them, it's likely going to be perceived as spam.

[rematt]

Originally Posted by Jacqui

By strategies I mean do's and don'ts on your email content. Perhaps phrases or statements to avoid in creating your email template.

The only strategy that you can use to avoid sending SPAM is to send your message only to those that have EXPLICITLY agreed to receive them. The content doesn't change the intent or perception and if your intent is an "email blast" I can almost guarantee you that it will be perceived as SPAM.

-rematt

[Lanny]

I'm not an AM, but I agree with the other people who answered previously. Do not do this!

Not sure what you are selling, but this will lead you into problems. Find ANOTHER way to market your product(s). "Email blasts" are NOT the way a reputable company tries to market their product(s).

[SPnelson]

for more information on email campaigns and SPAM, visit this site: The CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business | BCP Business Center

This is the standard for all email campaigns. It has very exact details on what you can and can't do.

Good luck on this one.

[Jacqui]

Originally Posted by markwelch

I think that when you use the term "email blast," you're absolutely starting with the wrong attitude -- which will likely deter many folks from providing helpful advice.

Interesting reply. Instead of the term "email blast" may I know the most appropriate term?

[Jacqui]

Originally Posted by MichaelColey

I think it boils down to:

1) Where did you get the email addresses, and
2) What are the recipients expecting.

If they didn't give their email address to you, specifically to receive the email blasts that you're sending them, it's likely going to be perceived as spam.

Thanks for the clarification, Michael. Reminds me of some newsletters that I always receive without me giving my email address for subscription of for whatever purpose. If there's a link through which you can opt out, will that make these newsletters exempted from being categorized as spam?

[Jacqui]

Originally Posted by rematt

The only strategy that you can use to avoid sending SPAM is to send your message only to those that have EXPLICITLY agreed to receive them. The content doesn't change the intent or perception and if your intent is an "email blast" I can almost guarantee you that it will be perceived as SPAM.

-rematt

Thank you, rematt. So far that's what we are applying - Requesting for permission prior to sending any email, newsletter, updates, etc. Although there are some who must have forgotten that they have given their permission to include their email address in the mailing list, they would email back with an angry tone

[Jacqui]

To clarify further and to clear up some speculations , I, along with the rest of the men and women in our company do not do "email blast" from the context which can be categorized as bad attitude.

I must have used the wrong term. I must have gotten that term from "somewhere". But rest assured that we do not do such a thing. Thanks to everyone for correcting and clarifying such term.

The only reason I asked, which has been answered bull's eye by Michael, is for me to know how to come up with the best strategy in sending updates and notifications to affiliates that they won't consider as spam. So far, we are on the right track.

The The CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business | BCP Business Center by SPnelson will be a great help.

[SPnelson]

So when you say "email blast" do you mean newsletters to affiliates regarding your program with in a specific network?

[Jacqui]

Originally Posted by SPnelson

So when you say "email blast" do you mean newsletters to affiliates regarding your program with in a specific network?

Yes, SPnelson.

[2sillycows]

Florida makes 63 million dollars selling your private information to businesses.

Well appearently people seem to think that selling private emailing lists are spam... but what if you are the Government?

Would it be okay to sell your private information with home address, date of birth, type of car (and all other private information on your driver's licence: FLORIDA SELLS YOUR DRIVER LICENSE INFO

Just to let you know the Govt. is profiteering and selling private info that would be concidered spam if you and I did it.

[2sillycows]

Originally Posted by Jacqui

Instead of the term "email blast" may I know the most appropriate term?

The reason some get huffy about "Blast" is because that is a term that is used in the black hat spammer forums when they use a list of 1million or so emails to send out to a purchased or scrubbed list.

Blast = "Shotgun blast" = you just shoot buck shot everywhere and then see what sticks.

Blast is also a the term spammers use when they scrub or purchase a list of blogs that will accept comments on their thread. There are a few programs out there that do this.

The term that people who want to make you think they are completely legit would use is: Email Campaign

out