No, not the gooey canned mystery meat, but having worked in Spamtown, USA I couldn’t help but think of the gelatinous food.
SPAM, when it’s not coming from a can, is another word for junk e-mail. And the CAN-SPAM act, created in 2003 attempts to control “the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing.” So before you compose that next e-mail newsletter, stop and review whether you’re in compliance with the law. Here are a few easy ways to ensure you’re not a SPAMer.
1) Make it easy to opt-out. If you’re using a reputable e-marketing tool, like iContact or Constant Contact, this is the easiest step. These providers include an “unsubscribe” link and manage the unsubscriber list for you. If you’re still sending e-newsletters from Outlook, discontinue doing so immediately and subscribe to a email marketing service.
2) Respect your subscribers. Assuming you are using an email marketing provider, your subscribers have the option to report your message as SPAM. So don’t overload your subscribers with 5 newsletters every day. Once a week is more than enough, one a month is plenty.
3) Don’t be deceptive. It’s important each and every piece of email marketing you send out is clearly identifiable as coming from your company. This holds your company accountable for the content, and assures your readers that you’re not asking for a cash advance from Nigeria.
It’s easy to avoid becoming a spammer, but if you want more information on remaining in compliance with the CAN-SPAM act, visit the FTC website.
