Hello Divas,

So I'm almost at the finish line with lauching my VA biz. I plan on sending the email to friends and family making the announcement, and also telling them to pass it along.

However, in my "getting ready mode" over the past few weeks, I've acquired a long list of email addresses of potential clients that I plan to target. I had searched various directories, etc. to acquire these email addresses, and was all amped up about sending a newsletter to all these addresses until I read some articles that say doing this is spam.

I know the email newletter I send won't look like your typical spam, but I'm still conflicted about whether or not I should send to the email addresses that I have. Anyone have any advice on how to proceed??

Thanks so much,
Amaya

Hi Amaya,

My understanding of SPAM is that it's any unsolicited email. So if someone didn't specifically ask for more info about your company or your e-newsletter, it could be considered SPAM. I think the exception is if you already have a working relationship with them, but don't quote me on that as I'm not 100% certain. To be on the safe side, I wouldn't send the e-newsletter to anyone who didn't request it (the exception being family/friends - hopefully they wouldn't turn your email in as SPAM!) Hope that helps!

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Tammi Metzler ~ The Write Associate
Free call: "How to Write Email Subject Lines That Grab Attention!"

Here in Australia our Spam Laws are not as strict although it wouldn't surprise me if they do change soon to match the US. Here if we meet someone at a networking event and they give us their business card then we can send them an email. It's not spam to email someone from an event about your business. Personally (because I've only just started networking IRL) I would email once and invite them to join my newsletter list then leave it up to them to sign up. Check the law and see exactly what you can do.

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Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

My guess is that it would be spammed in most instances, but whether it is or not, it's probably not an effective tool. You'd be very lucky to get much in terms of response. The impulse is to let the world know about your skills and offerings, but the reality is that people and businesses have to be personally cultivated before they'll buy from you. Better to find the few names on your list that you have some kind of connection to, and strategize the best ways to sell to that particular person.
I sent out a postcard to businesses culled from the Yellow Pages a couple months ago, but I realize it makes little sense to try mass coverage like that, on any kind of limited budget. Much more cost effective is any kind of targeted or opt-in marketing.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

One thing to consider is how many addresses do you have to send to? If it is in the hudnreds and you send out a blast, you also risk getting shut down by your ISP for 24 hours (at least for sending mail). I'm speaking from experience. I didn't do it for my business, it was for a political party I volunteer for. I've since told the President of the riding association that we are going to have to get a Vertical Response or similar account for future mail blasts.

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Julia

I don't agree with soliciting via email. As tempting as it is to send email blasts in an attempt to garner some attention for your business the best way isn't always the quickest. I think you run the risk of hurting your reputation if you spam people.

However, sending to friends and family would be fine since you already have a relationship with them.

Try other less intrusive methods of marketing.

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)

As everyone else has mentioned so far - spam laws are pretty tough on the sender and can result in your domain being blacklisted by the rec'vers ISPs which would essentially put you in a black hole when it comes to future emails - marketing-relative or otherwise.

I'd agree with the other statements that unless you have email addresses of people who have specifically asked to rec'v your business info to find another way of marketing yourself.

For now, try adding a professional signature to ALL of your email - it's 'free' advertising and will start getting your info out to those with whom you have regular contact via email.

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Originally Posted by shari VA

I don't agree with soliciting via email.

I agree Shari; last summer I was invited to participate in a webinar with a marketing guy and his comment re contacting people by email was that it was okay if you have a relationship with them - if you don't know them, use snail mail. I do all of my direct marketing by snail mail. Yes, it does cost money, but it has been effective for me. I get so much junk email that I really resent it and even deleting it is a waste of my time, so I don't use it as part of my marketing activities. It's kind of like the high tech version of those junk faxes that used to get sent out (and probably still do).

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Julia

One thing to keep in mind - some people have set up their email programs to direct any incoming suspected spams right into a junk/spam folder.

And once the possible spam email was directed to a junk folder, the sender's email address was automatically added on a blocked list.

I remember a case once a while back someone I knew sent me an annoucement email and it was suspected to be a spam so my program directed it to a junk folder and blocked his email address. So for a while all of his important emails that I was expecting ended up into the junk folder. I didn't know that until I scanned the junk folder and spotted his emails there so I removed his address from the blocked list.

I like what Tess suggested in regards of your email signature. You can also add your website address in your signature as well.

I like all of your feedback and comments...its really helped me with making this decision. clearly, doing the blast is not the way to go, so i'm gonna chuck that idea. thank you guys for all your wisdom and insight.

amaya