10 replies to this topic

[lister]

What do people do in a situation like ours?

We have an excellent offer to give people in a particular niche an offer which they cannot fail not to want - its basically giving away free leads.

This is a genuine question - how do we approach potential business partners w/out seeming like we are spamming?

Asked another way - I guess we can send out email suggesting a meeting or further information - after all - how do people connect otherwise? As long as we give them the opportunity to easily opt out is that ok?

What is the spam threshold compliant level - i.e. if you get like 10% spam reporting are you "blacklisted?"

[Jill]

This is a genuine question - how do we approach potential business partners w/out seeming like we are spamming?

On an individual basis, by either email or phone call.

[Michael Martinez]

If you're approaching a small number of people or businesses, what Jill suggests should work fine. If, however, you believe you should be contacting dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people, then you need to consider a pay-for-outreach plan like advertising, a publicity push, maybe soliciting interviews with some newsletters, sponsoring events for professional associations, etc.

[chrishirst]

We have an excellent offer to give people in a particular niche an offer which they cannot fail not to want - its basically giving away free leads.

Isn't that what press releases are REALLY for?

[Mikl]

Why not post the information on a website that is targeted at your niche, and invite anyone interested to contact you. If the offer is really that good, word will get around.

[chrishirst]

Why not post the information on a website that is targeted at your niche, and invite anyone interested to contact you. If the offer is really that good, word will get around.

Good Heavens! Surely you're not suggesting that people do some real marketing????

[1dmf]

Sending Unsolicited Mail When Intention Is Good?

There is no such thing, spam is spam, if it is unsolicited. In certain industries it is even illegal as it is a form of cold calling which is banned in Financial Services in the UK!

I believe in the USA there are very strict laws on postal junk mail, which again is unsolicited.

You need to rethink what your doing and if it is a genuine enquiry to a company relating to their business and using the methods they provide on their website for these enquiries , then it isn't unsolicited.

If you are going to gather emails and bulk send indiscriminately, then that is spam!

[PatrickGer]

Can you identify any websites / blogs in your niche, where your 'target audience' hangs out?

Contact bloggers / websites like that, and work out a deal (a guest post or similar) - that way it'd be completely white hat, imho (or not?).
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Another way would be pay-per-click ads....

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Can you identify blogs/websites in your niche, that say "if you have anything interesting / want to advertise, reach out to us"? if so, that shouldnt be spam, imho.

PS: keep in mind only theoretical ideas, here...no idea if the return on investment will be there.

[EzinmaChimaraoke]

You could start a Facebook Page with a welcome page that offers free leads to your niche with an opt-in form Then post as your page on other pages in your niche. This will spread the word without spam.

[lister]

Thanks for all of your helpful replies.

The email that I would like to send is not spam since it is an invitation to a very simple and honest service which they will immediately understand since it is so transparent.

I will have to get creative!

[Jill]

The email that I would like to send is not spam

It doesn't matter what the offer is or how good it is. It is spam if you're sending it in bulk, unsolicited, to people who did not opt in to receive it.