I didn’t sign up for your newsletter

I go to a lot of conferences. It’s a great place to meet new people, start conversations and solidify relationships. There’s always a lot of networking involved and I always come home with gaggles of business cards. We all do right?

When someone hands you their business card, you reciprocate with one of your own. Then, a week later I would magically start to receive newsletters I never signed up for. You too? Sometimes there’s an unsubscribe at the bottom – other times there’s not.

Correct me if I’m wrong but when I said, “Hi it’s nice to meet you!” the next words out of my mouth were NOT “please sign me up for your newsletter…” were they?

I thought I’d be smart and start handing out a different card at conferences. That still didn’t work.

Then I switched to just stickers.

Great buzz and you definitely stand apart from the crowd but I still get the crap newsletters. How’s this instead…

JUST STOP IT!!!

Can you hear me now?

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Mike Mueller

Mike builds the custom Apps that create the Tabs that make Custom Facebook Pages special. He builds Discount WordPress Blogs and shoots commercial high def video. He's an avid hockey fan, rides a motorcycle (a really fast one), loves strong beer and good red wine.

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http://twitter.com/lorennason Loren Nason

I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to sign you up to all those lists…

Anyways….

I got a stupid flyer in the mail from some dolt in the LA area inviting me to his auction.
Why?
Because he adds anyone he meets to his list and blows his money ineffectively on mailers to the WRONG target audience.
http://twitter.com/bryonythomas Bryony Thomas

Yep, assumed email permission is a pet hate of mine. It sets the relationship off on the back foot right away. Approached differently, I might well have signed-up to a given newsletter, but when it is assumed it really irritates me. Here’s my take on the matter: http://www.clear-thought.co.uk/in_thought/art/29/content-marketing-permission/

http://jasonwheeler.biz Jason Wheeler

I like to ask permission with a double opt in intro email after I’ve personally met someone. It seems to be pretty effective.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Loren-
I thought it was you!
; )
Love the ones that are local by nature. Had one that actually wanted me to come to the block party. It was in a town in upstate NY and I’m in San Francisco? Really?

So your getting the US Mail version too?
Is your mailing address on your card?
http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Bryony –
You are right on with that article.
Just left a comment there.
http://jasonwheeler.biz Jason Wheeler

Yeah mike this happens to me all the time. I just unsubscribe. Or who knows sometimes I find some value and a business relationship.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

But is it right for them to add you without your permission?

http://jasonwheeler.biz Jason Wheeler

When I approach someone and get their card I always ask “do you mind if I stay in touch with you every now and again?” If yes I will add them to my list. I’ve never had anyone get annoyed or accuse me of spamming. What do you think about this approach?

I think the key is to obviously let them opt out when ever they want and more importantly add massive value. If you show value in what you send they will enjoy it. I agree I can’t stand the hundreds of templated news letters that are full of junk nobody reads.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Just my thoughts but…
Why not be straight forward and up front from the start, “I have a wonderful newsletter with great content I’d like to send you. There’s a link to unsubscribe at the bottom should you ever choose to.”

Instead of “do you mind if I stay in touch with you every now and again?“?

As for people getting annoyed – how do we know? Many people just delete or mark as spam and go on their way. Few people are going to call you on it. I rarely do. (http://twitter.com/MikeMueller/status/23263354351 excluded)

http://jasonwheeler.biz Jason Wheeler

I agree with exactly what you are saying in being forth right an up front… However I personally never use the word “newsletter” since that is not really what I send. One thing you are right about for sure is spam is a fine line and we all should do are best to avoid sending things to people that don’t want them.

http://www.clear-thought.co.uk/ Bryony Thomas

Hi Mike – just quoted you in my own rant on the subject having found someone who readily admits to using the assumed permission approach. Enjoy: http://www.clear-thought.co.uk/in_thought/art/79/email-marketing-permission/
http://twitter.com/ITAndrew Andrew Lafreniere

you have to remove all references to your email and just use forms for contact on your website….just give people a card with a QR code, no name, no other information…just a plain card with a QR code…it works.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Andrew, I love the idea of just a plain blank card (with or without a QR code).
I’m going to have some unprinted right away!

I didn’t sign up for your newsletter

JUST STOP IT!!!

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