Is it SPAM? How to reach prospects for the 1st time with email...

Federico, you could approach businesses via email, if they list their contact details on the site. The best approach is to tailor your pitch to the specific business, rather than sending out a blanket "one-size-fits-all" bulk mailshot - that's a sure way to come across as spammy.

When you approach a business, make it clear that you've spent time studying the site and maybe come up with a few constructive ideas in the letter. I know it wasn't yours, but the email example above is unlikely to attract many customers as it is because it focuses far too much on the service provider - count how many times it mentions "I". In fact, you could use it as an example of how not to construct an approach letter.

Make it personal, and make it all about the prospect.

Good luck.

Feedle6,

You are right, definitions of what SPAM is vary greatly and you will get a lot of different opinions about how to contact businesses/persons via email without appearing to spam.

This is just my own opinion ... it is best to use some type of squeeze page and let prospects contact you first. Then you will have the opportunity to make contact with them multiple times thereafter without appearing to be a spammer because they voluntarily signed up to hear from you - they specifically requested you contact them.

As Frank has said, if a business has a web site and contact information and welcomes input or questions, to me at least, that is also an invitation for you to contact them regarding something in the niche.

The example email that you gave is very common but rarely productive. Why? Because it's easy to tell that you (the recipient) are among many others who are being approached to buy something and because you have no previous contact, you are being asked to sit through the offer being presented in the hope that you will spend money with the company. No matter how the sender "paints" his email ... it is still seen as "unsolicited commercial email" by most people.

Personally, I never respond to emails like you mentioned. If I want some information or service, I will lead out and find it on my own without being pressured into a buying decision by one company before I have all the facts. I'm guessing many others treat these emails the same way.

Good luck with your marketing efforts,

Steve

I can only tell you how I screen out spam. If I recognize, and trust the person sending it (aka, the "from" field). It's not spam. Everything is goes right into the trash.

If you are in the US then follow the can-spam act and you will be legal.

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/busi...guide-business

I would find your emails as spam and annoying.

Why don't you just go door to door?

This way, they see your face.

At its most basic, spam is 'unsolicited bulk email'. You need both to fit the definition of spam.

One-to-one emails to businesses about doing business may be unsolicited, but they should never be bulk.

When crafting your approach letter, keep in mind that your objective is NOT to make a sale in the initial contact letter. It's to start a dialog about whether or not you should be working together.

You could lead with a request for assistance, perhaps with a very short survey. Offer them a white paper or something as a thank you. Make it clear that the paper is theirs whether they help you or not.

Of course, the white paper covers a topic they might be concerned with. And includes perhaps a case study involving one of your successes. And your contact information.

If you can get them to opt in, so much the better. Follow up by dripping links to interesting articles, blog posts, podcast episodes, etc., along with more case studies and survey opportunities.

Here's what might happen...

> They trash your message unopened. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
> They read your message, but the timing is not right. They download your paper, and may call someday.
> They read your message, download your paper, and opt in to your list. You have a pretty good chance to score either business or referrals.
> They read your message, download and read your paper, and pick up the phone.

Whatever you do, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT send an inquiry like the one you posted.

Yep; create a helpful Wordpress blog, guest post, blog comment, build your email list, create products and services, position yourself as an authority, then folks will come to you, pre-qualified, and your emails will not only NOT be spam, your readers and customers and clients will look forward to them.

Honestly if the email is considered by YOU as unsolicited it is SPAM.

I get these things all the time as well. I just hit the SPAM button...BUT occasionally something comes in that is useful. I still consider it spam, but I may continue to receive their emails for a while.

Most of the time these offers are a one time thing.

Is this SPAM?

Did you ask for more information from the sender?

Did you fill out a form somewhere requesting more info regarding SEO?

If so, then you basically asked for the information that you are getting.

However, if you didn't ask for it, then YES this would be considered SPAM.

Now about promoting this way?

I wouldn't send bulk email to anyone with a heart beat. But if you did generate your own leads that are specifically 'targeted' to your offer, then that's a better idea.

They aren't very effective.

The better approach would be to reach out to people via social media first

Think the b2b rules are more relaxed for unsolicited emails compared to just emailing people