Why do we hate unsolicited email so much? Have you ever asked yourself that? Could it be we have been programmed to do so? With all the hype over the Canadian Anti-spam Law and Trojan emails in the news, we are always on the alert when an email sneaks its way into our inbox from a sender we don't recognize. But, is it really all SPAM?
I have managed email marketing for clients for over 7 years. I see unsubscribe messages that make my toes curl. And the vitriol embedded in the rejection just seems to be getting more intense as time goes by. As with social media, when we can communicate incognito, we tend to use language we wouldn't if it were face to face. What I find very interesting is that often some of the most ungracious unsubscribe reasons given are offered by people who do their own email marketing. I suppose I incorrectly assume a supportive common thread among entrepreneurs. The adage "what goes around, comes around" is very true, as a small business owner you are your brand. If you get negatively personal in any kind of electronic communication, you may find others won't be so interested in what you have to say. But what can be equally damaging, is when an email is reported as SPAM with no reason given.
I have managed email marketing for clients for over 7 years. I see unsubscribe messages that make my toes curl. And the vitriol embedded in the rejection just seems to be getting more intense as time goes by. As with social media, when we can communicate incognito, we tend to use language we wouldn't if it were face to face. What I find very interesting is that often some of the most ungracious unsubscribe reasons given are offered by people who do their own email marketing. I suppose I incorrectly assume a supportive common thread among entrepreneurs. The adage "what goes around, comes around" is very true, as a small business owner you are your brand. If you get negatively personal in any kind of electronic communication, you may find others won't be so interested in what you have to say. But what can be equally damaging, is when an email is reported as SPAM with no reason given.