If you want to market by email - learn the rules.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - by Jim Mosier

Filed Under Section(s): Rants and Raves , Internet Marketing

You know, I have long suffered from a condition that makes me easily annoyed with people who don't have at least a little respect for my personal e-mail address.

As many of you know, I have been known to buy a house or two in my time for investment purposes. As such, I am a member of a Real Estate Investors Association. During our meetings, new investors who are trying to build up a list of contacts are always asking for cards or passing out email list sign-up forms. I have no problem at all with this practice as I think it is a great way to build a network.. However, where I am going with this is that there should be some certification required before people are allowed to send out a message with over just a few recipients. ESPECIALLY if it is a marketing message.

Let me phrase it differently: Putting a group of recipients that don't know each other in the "TO:" box of a message instead of the "BCC:" box of a message should be a crime. This is one of my biggest pet peeves - ever - and it seems there is always a new batch of nitwits that don't have the common sense to figure it out. I mean, really, it's bad enough that every time I buy a product online I have to search the page for that conveniently pre-checked box that subscribes me to another newsletter that I don't want.. Why should I have to be constantly replying to people and explaining to them that there are some simple rules you should follow, out of common courtesy, when sending an email.

SO:

I have come up with what I think could be a polite, but effective way to curb this. Instead of replying with my normal, canned response, I have come up with a new response. Here it is:

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your message, but I think you might have have broken one of the rules.

Please visit: http://www.pleaselearntherules.com/

Thank you and regards.

Yes, as you may have guessed, I also created the Please Learn The Rules web site. Now before you go on ranting about how much time I must have on my hands, consider that I have about a half hour in putting that site online (most of which was re-wording the text several times so people don't get offended). Then think of how much time it takes to skim through 40 or 50 emails a day that you have no interest in, just to find out you have no interest in them. In that respect, you could say I did it for the benefit of everyone.

Feel free to send along any rule-breakers you come across to the site also. Let's take back our inboxes and spread the word!

Thanks for your time.

The author, Jim Mosier is the lead developer and solutions architect for Mosier Information Services, a company that specializes in Web Development and Database Development. In addition, Jim helps small business owners develop a systems strategy that enables them to run their business more efficiently.