NONE: Re: ONLINE-ADS>> Is spam costing us more than we think?
Re: ONLINE-ADS>> Is spam costing us more than we think?
Claire Schaeffer (cschaeffer_at_provenedge.com)
Wed, 17 Dec 1997 12:37:11 -0500
David,
Our numbers are *very* different, but so is our product, so I have to
wonder if we're comparing apples to rutabagas. ;)
Trying to eliminate as many variables as possible, I took a look at
October and November (looking at the same time period as your numbers)
and approximately 91.7% of our contacts tell us it is okay to e-mail
them (note: given someone else mentioned bogus entries, let me hasten to
add that we also get phone and mailing address information and bogus
entries are already weeded out of this number -- which is why I can't
give December stats, those bogus entries don't get weeded until the end
of the month).
I didn't find the forms where you have the opt-in/out on your site, so
you may have the following information, but just in case -- be sure to
include exactly how you intend to use the information you request from
surfers. I read an article several months ago (have no clue where, of
course) which stated that out of a surveyed group, the number one reason
people did not complete online forms was because it was not clear what
the site collecting the information intended to do with it (in
particular, no clear statement that they would not sell the data).
Perhaps there are similar concerns about opt-in/outs -- e.g., if I tell
*you* it's okay to e-mail me, do you sell my e-mail address to spammers?
We include the following statement (which we also live by) at the top of
any form we ask customers to complete (the asterisk points to another
question on the form which I have also included below):
"Thank you for your interest in Proven Edge! Prior to downloading our
Trialware, please take a few moments to complete the following
information. Unless you grant us permission to pass this information on,
it used by Proven Edge Inc. only. We understand that your privacy is
important to you and we pledge that we will not release this information
to any party outside of Proven Edge without your prior approval.*
*Would you like to receive product/offer information from other
companies which serve the small business community?"
FWIW. ;)
Sincerely,
Claire A. Schaeffer, Proven Edge, Inc.
mailto:pweb_at_provenedge.com http://www.provenedge.com/
FREE Seven Business Tips VIDEO Offer, FREE Trialware Download
"The One-Program Software Solution for Today's Small Business"
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