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Chain Letters and mail lists

by keiyam
9 replies
Hello,

I receive dozens of chain letters every week and I have been wondering what is the actual purpose of that ? I mean there are too many mails like "send this mail in 10 people to be lucky otherwise something bad will happen.." or any kind of slide show of third world children heart-taking images in a .ppt file etc.

So, I decided to start collecting emails from "forwards".. I just made a list with 760 unique email addresses, while many of them include the people's names. What would you do next ? Please advice or suggest any ideas..

Thanks
Chris
#chain #letters #lists #mail
  • Profile picture of the author dynamyt100
    These mails are sent on the off chance that they will get clicks hence generating income or traffic to the target sites. Many of us simply ignore them and some of us actually believe what we see. By collecting the addresses you have created a mialing list correct ? You can now use this ammunition to send your messages to people as well. Even if you get a 5% hit rate that would be worth considering. I personally use mailing lists for product specials and newsletters - the body of the mails actually contains interesting information which encourages the end user to visit my sites.
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    Domestic Flights South Africa
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    • Profile picture of the author keiyam
      Originally Posted by dynamyt100 View Post

      These mails are sent on the off chance that they will get clicks hence generating income or traffic to the target sites. Many of us simply ignore them and some of us actually believe what we see. By collecting the addresses you have created a mialing list correct ? You can now use this ammunition to send your messages to people as well. Even if you get a 5% hit rate that would be worth considering. I personally use mailing lists for product specials and newsletters - the body of the mails actually contains interesting information which encourages the end user to visit my sites.
      Yes I created a mailing list, not one of a specific niche but I know that the addresses are active and that one is very important.. The thing is that a mailing list of 700+ people (that can easily grow longer) is a GREAT tool to make some money and multiply the list itself! I am actually thinking about make a survey or better to.. listen to any idea that anyone has tested and proven working.

      Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
    A mailing list is good, but only if the leads are targeted.

    The leads from chain letters are probably not targeted at all to any specific niche. They can also report your emails as being spam, which will affect you in some way.

    Just be careful with what you're doing.

    -Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author keiyam
      If I send them an advertisement, or another chain letter (with the link to unsubscribe at the bottom) am I doing any voilation? If I send them a plain message "please click in any of the ad sense advertisements" for example and "send this to 10 people" am I doing any kind of violation of the law or something ? (Just asking)

      Is it a good way to send them a survey to understand their hobby's and stuff or to send them a newsletter for example, about general local news ?

      thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        [DELETED]
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        • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
          Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

          Yes; it's spam.

          It's (understandably) one of those "Catch-22" situations in which, if you use your own ISP to send them emails, you can lose your internet connection when recipients report "spam", whereas for much the same reason no reputable autoresponder company will let you import such a "list" and effectively use their IP number instead of your own.

          In fact, it isn't really a "list" at all, within any meaningful sense of the word in the context of internet marketing: it's simply a collection of email addresses.
          Exactly. It's just a collection.

          Here's the CAN-SPAM Act information.
          Code:
          http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/ecommerce/bus61.shtm
          -Shaun

          P.S New picture, Alexa?
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        • Profile picture of the author keiyam
          Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

          Yes; it's spam.

          It's (understandably) one of those "Catch-22" situations in which, if you use your own ISP to send them emails, you can lose your internet connection when recipients report "spam", whereas for much the same reason no reputable autoresponder company will let you import such a "list" and effectively use their IP number instead of your own.

          In fact, it isn't really a "list" at all, within any meaningful sense of the word in the context of internet marketing: it's simply a collection of email addresses.
          Yes, I almost agree with you, but I want to be informed from someone more experienced and that's why I am asking. As I have done nothing about sending yet, it doesn't mean that I will or I won't do. Corporations that send you mail in your house don't have a niche marketing or list, they simply send leaflets and some will read them-some will throw them in the rubbish. So what's wrong with that?
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