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Emailing to .gov addresses

by jonkovach
7 replies
I put together an email campaign - three email blasts over the next three months. I am mailing to certain titles within the National Park Service, which is a first_last@nps.gov email address.

...or, I'd like to. I use MailChimp, I built the campaign, imported the list (~1,100 names) and BAM... got an error message. Here it is:

Omnivore Warning
Our automated abuse-prevention system, Omnivore, has flagged your recent import for issues that could affect the delivery of your campaigns. Your list is likely to trigger spam filters, or generate bounces and abuse complaints.
Internet service providers set strict limits on undeliverable mail and abuse complaints, which we have to abide by as an email service provider. Omnivore uses these limits to help determine when it's necessary to issue a list warning.

I am trying to read more about this online, but can't seem to find anything relevant. I want to comply with laws, and the last thing I want to do is cause a problem with the NPS (they are a very good customer).

Does anyone have any thoughts of how to proceed? Or... IF I should proceed?

Thanks,
Jon
#addresses #emailing #gov
  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    I've been mailing purchased data for over 16 years. I never mail to .gov or .edu addresses. They are just more likely to generate complaints.

    What offer are you planning to send to users at NPS?

    You state..."they are a very good customer" Can you elaborate?
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Emailing to .gov addresses...

    I put together an email campaign - three email blasts over the next three months...

    Omnivore Warning...
    No doubt you're now on a NSA watch list.
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  • Profile picture of the author dburk
    Hi jon,

    Bulk unsolicited email violates the policies of virtually every ISP and ESP on the planet Earth.

    If you did not get explicit permission from each person you are emailing then it is considered to be unsolicited email, if it is also more than a couple of emails it is will be considered bulk email.

    Bulk + Unsolicited = Spam, blacklisiting, complaints, accounts suspensions, possible legal action, and more.

    I hope that clarifies the situation for you just a bit.

    Don Burk
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  • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
    Originally Posted by jonkovach View Post

    Does anyone have any thoughts of how to proceed? Or... IF I should proceed?
    Has it ever crossed your mind to possibly inquire with the people at MailChimp as to what the issue might be and the best way to proceed.

    It's just common sense as no one here is privy to what it is you are attempting to mail.

    I am a genius, but I'm not a mind reader.

    Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author jonkovach
    Okay - thanks for the great information everyone. It sounds like I should NOT proceed, by any means. Trust me, the last thing I want to do is violate the trust I have with NPS, or violate any kind of laws!!! We have not done much email marketing, and I don't want to do the wrong thing.

    In terms of permission... how do I get that? I mean, I understand when I visit a website (Pella windows, for an example) and a pop-up window comes up asking if I want to save 25% today to enter my email address... I do that, and now I'm getting tons of marketing emails. But, where is the consent for that? Does anyone have any examples of websites where permission is gained that way? I'm assuming there is just something in their "fine print". Yeah?

    I have customers, and a great email database right there. But, because they are my customers, do I have the right to email them? Or do I need to somehow get them to consent? Any articles on doing that with existing customers?

    Sorry for all the questions - I like the concept of email marketing, but haven't done much with it. And I don't want to do anything wrong. Or worse, stupid.

    PS - I did inquire with MailChimp, and I have yet to hear back.

    Thanks so much,
    Jon
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    • Profile picture of the author dburk
      Originally Posted by jonkovach View Post

      Okay - thanks for the great information everyone. It sounds like I should NOT proceed, by any means. Trust me, the last thing I want to do is violate the trust I have with NPS, or violate any kind of laws!!! We have not done much email marketing, and I don't want to do the wrong thing.

      In terms of permission... how do I get that? I mean, I understand when I visit a website (Pella windows, for an example) and a pop-up window comes up asking if I want to save 25% today to enter my email address... I do that, and now I'm getting tons of marketing emails. But, where is the consent for that? Does anyone have any examples of websites where permission is gained that way? I'm assuming there is just something in their "fine print". Yeah?

      I have customers, and a great email database right there. But, because they are my customers, do I have the right to email them? Or do I need to somehow get them to consent? Any articles on doing that with existing customers?

      Sorry for all the questions - I like the concept of email marketing, but haven't done much with it. And I don't want to do anything wrong. Or worse, stupid.

      PS - I did inquire with MailChimp, and I have yet to hear back.

      Thanks so much,
      Jon
      Hi jon,

      Anyone that directly provides you with their email address has "opted in" to receiving email from you. If the email is acquired from a 3rd party list provider, scraping or any other indirect method then it is unsolicited bulk email, not "opt in".

      So, yes, a customer that provides you with their email is considered opt-in, However, if the email is obtained in any other way (not directly to you by the owner), it is generally considered unsolicited bulk email (spam).

      An email that comes from a web form may, or may not be, an "opt in", it all depends on if the owner of that email provided it, or not. If it is a typo, or 3rd party entering the email address, it is not an opt-in. That is why many email marketers use a "double opt-in" method of confirming the email is genuinely opt-in.The email recipient is required to confirm the email subscription so double opt-in method removes any chance of a typo or 3rd party submission, thereby ensuring the email list is truly opt-in. That is the safest approach, though not an absolute requirement to be considered opt-in.

      Hope that helps.

      Don Burk
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      • Profile picture of the author jonkovach
        I love the information. Thank you.

        This makes list building sooooooo hard. Wow.

        One last question. I was able to integrate MailChimp into Wufoo (what I use for forms). It actually sends an email after someone fills out my form and makes them opt-in to the mailing by clicking something on THAT email. Talk about exhausting.

        I was hoping I could just either include an opt-out checkbox on my contact form, or just list a small disclaimer at the bottom telling them they are getting put on a marketing list. Is that not possible? MailChimp seems to be forcing me to send an opt-in to use them in marketing.

        Thanks,
        Jon
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