KIM M. MACPHERSON WROTE:
>It depends on how specific the original opt-in language was.
>Of course, with the spamming climate being the way it is,
>it's better to be safe than sorry...yes, I would highly
>recommend that you get their permission again and be
>specific as to the kinds of info you're going to send them.
>Start off with a traditional "You are receiving this
>because you were subscribed to _____" and then give them an
>option -- immediately -- to "unsubscribe." Make it loud
>and clear.
Another thought along these lines. When I see something that
says "you are on this list because you requested
information" or similar statements it safely tells me that
this is unsolicited spam. While that kind of notice should
keep you safe the reality is that so many spam emails start
that way that I believe many people assume its spam
regardless of why you tell them they are on the list.
Remember that alot of us get a considerable amount of spam
and arent interested in reading through the entire email to
find out that its from a company that bought a company we
gave our name to.
I would try to find out if the list was used by the old
company. If they did engage in email campaigns to the list
then anyone opposed to these emails has probably been weeded
out. If its an option for you I might try to send out the
first message under the old name and email address of the
company that was bought out. If you have rights to the name
than this tactic would be perfectly legitimate.
In the body of the message you can explain that the company
was purchased and that future emails will come from the new
company name. You can also give them the opt-out option if
they so choose.
I think this approach will get you past the initial reaction
of "Im being spammed". If the old companys list is an asset
than their name is as well. It would be wise to use it to
get in the front door.
Brett Rosen
AlphaSphere Corp
Web development and common sense consulting
brettr_at_alphasphere.com
http://www.alphasphere.com
Received on Fri Oct 22 1999 - 06:43:34 CDT
