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October 16, 2007
[AM] S_amalot or not?
Just posted to the AdMarketing list
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Hi all--
We've been looking at e-mail lists lately for a client acquisition mailing. We're actually trying to find N. Va. small-mid-size government contractors. Unfortunately, we can't use Washington Technology's e-mail list- most of the companies on it are to big for our client.
Turns out that list brokers, and others in the business, define *permission based marketing* in interesting ways. It doesn't seem that the lists we've looked at have gotten permission to mail to the names that they rent or mail to. Yea, some have phone verified and then created opt-out lists, some have address appended, and some lists have been compiled from directories but none have been given permission or seem to have a relationship with recipients. It's not that anyone is dishonest, it's just that they purposely play in the grey area of e-mail marketing.
Now, I know that there are all kinds of definitions of *permission* but at the end of the day-- isn't it still about whether you been given permission to mail or even have a relationship? The kicker for us is that many of the list owners assume no responsibility should problems arise. It strictly a 'buyer-beware' scenario. And, from what I understand, it's pretty tough to reverse blacklisting.
Can anyone feel my pain? Have you faced a similar situation when trying to rent a list? What do you do? Mail with one eye closed and hope for the best? Adding insult to injury is that most of the free world continues to Spam away!
It goes without saying that a house file is more potent and obviously a good thing but that's a conversation for another day. Also, a quick tip of the hat to Bill Fletcher over at http://www.rightlists.com who doesn't like to rent Spam lists!
Comments? Please post 'em to the list and thanks! Mitch
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