5 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
5 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Email Marketing to People Not on an Opt-In List...

by J R Halchak
4 replies
I've done a lot of email marketing design / copy and helped send out campaigns through traditional opt-in and borrowed lists.

I have a potential client who wants to market, to grade schools schools all over the US, his product line via email but there's no conceivable way to get them to all opt-in and his budget isn't huge so there's little chance of attempting to get them to.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas? Should I just compile a list for him and bulk mail some CAN-SPAM compliant emails or is there a better solution? Also, if this is indeed the most viable option, what would be the best software solution, something like exim perhaps?
#email #list #marketing #optin #people
  • Profile picture of the author rts2271
    Hey JR I am going to be out this evening but I can give you a few ideas and methods to obtain the list you need to communicate with. And no before they all rush in and tell you you can't do this it's legal, it's ethical and it's not going to cause the boogeyman to jump out at you.
    Signature

    Ralph Smith
    Mercenary development and deployment.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4441469].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mel White
    Okay... speaking from experience in dealing with schools: that won't work. Any of it.

    There are "gatekeepers" in the schools, and everyone gets hundreds of pieces of mail each day. They get "special offers" from everybody and their dog. Each school district works differently, and even if one teacher or one principal wants something, someone else may be able to deny it to them.

    Go local for your first shot. Pick a few schools, talk to them (by phone) and ask how to get the information to the right person. Once he's got some sales, THEN he's got a little momentum (and people talking about his product.) Conferences are a good place to hand out flyers or postcards advertising a product as well.

    But (I'm talking from personal experience with a company that sells packages to schools) a blind email will get you zero results.
    Signature

    Webmaster - Friends In Business
    http://www.friendsinbusiness.com/board1
    http://www.friendsinbusinessblog.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4441637].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laurenswuyts
    There is a program that gathers emails from facebook. Maybe that way you can get a lot of email adressses?
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4441679].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author J R Halchak
    I appreciate the insight guys. I know schools are tough, this guy has been doing his own article writing / blog posting (not very successfully) and has randomly had a school or two contact him.

    I'd prefer to get him info on an email campaign, and already have the means to get the list but if anyone has any better ideas as to how we can market to these schools cheaply, that insight would be appreciated as well.

    rts2271, I look forward to your post, thanks.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4443569].message }}

Trending Topics