MLM Directory

Opt In Email Marketing - Legal or Not?

I have a customer list from my online business that is 20,000 strong with duplicates deleted. Unfortunatly my site has never offered a "join our mailing list" and now I have a list of 20,000 customers. I'd like to start sending out regular customer specials but I dont' know if I can do this. I'd like to use iContact.com to do it. I receive regular emails from companies that I buy from all the time. I'll buy something from company a and within a week i'm getting a newsletter or a deal of the day type of thing. Always with an "unsubscribe" option. I received one today from a very reputable company saying "you are receiving this because we have had a business relationship in the past".... Here's my 2 questions: 1. Can I market to my 20,000 customers simply because I've sold to them in the past? 2. If no to question 1, can I send an email to all 20,000 asking them if they'd like to receive emails from my company. If yes, click here if no, you'll not hear from me again. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Aaron

Public Comments

1. Depends upon which state your customers reside in. In California, it is illegal to send unsolicited business e-mail (as well as many other states), even if it is to ask them if they want mail.
2. Aaron, Marketers use this information all the time. If you have an opt-in list which is nothing more than consumers saying that they give you permission to send them email then it is fine. If you already have a list of 20k I would strongly suggest that you do send out some marketing to them. Here is the thing. usually on the terms and privacy policy, when soliciting an item to someone there is a statement mentioning somewhere that they are giving you the right to send them email. However, you cannot sell, trade, etc. and it should be for your own use. Here is my suggestion, if you are going to use a resource such as iContact. What you should do is set up your iContact account while still maintaining the list that you have already achieved. Once you have created your iContact account then just send a simple email to your list explaining that you are moving over your list set up and that you would like to make sure that it is alright with them to send them email. They will do one of two things, sign up (preferrablly double opt-in) or they will ignore your email. If they ignore your email then that is someone who does not wish to receive future emails from you. Think of it this way. If you were to buy a physical product from a company such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, wouldn't you be more likely to use the coupons related? It is the same concept, just do not overstep your boundries. I hope this helps you out some.
3. YES YOU CAN. Send them a email let them know who you are and from what web site. let them know that they were a very faithful client to you and your company and you have a new site you like them to visit . It is not illegal to send your list emails regarding other offers that you have. make sure you have a have a link at the bottom of your email allowing them to unsubscribe if they want to do so. and let them know that if they do n't want to receive any more email they can remove them self very easy.
4. This site covers everything you need to know about email disclaimers & related email law. Apart from the legal aspect of disclaimers this site also includes sample email disclaimers, books and links. Legal Issues Is Email Marketing Spamming? Spamming is a huge problem with emails; a ‘spam’ email is an unsolicited commercial email that is sent without the person giving permission. So is email marketing to your address list spamming? The simple answer is no; if someone has agreed to receive emails from you then providing you follow legal guidelines it is not the same as spamming. For More Info : http://www.expertinseo.com/email-marketing.htm