My first SPAM complaint!

16 replies
I just received my first complaint from a subscriber after sending a broadcast via AWeber. I don't really understand why though. Firstly, I do not spam my list as it is rather new so am just in relationship building stage. I send about one broadcast a week and have not done a hard sell as yet.

Why not just unsubscribe instead of complaining about the sender?

My question is does this happen often and if so, how does it affect your account with the AR if at all? I don't want to be labelled a spammer!
#aweber #complaint #spam
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    It's not uncommon. It can affect your account if the percentage is too high. I'm not sure where that line is drawn. Maybe someone else will.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author UMS
    If it's just the odd spam complaint here and there, don't worry about it.

    People forget that they subscribe to a list and if they have lots of other spam in their mailbox, they can bundle in your email as well in the spam list.

    I'm assuming you have double-optin for your list though?
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Hooper-Kelly
      Hi aleksbogata,

      Hopefully you set up a double opt-in for your subscribers. That's paramount.

      It's also important to have a name they recognize, because it's been proved that folks decide whether to open an email, based on the 'From' field, rather than the subject line. So your very first task is to 'educate' them that they are going to receive valuable info from you.

      And here's the real skinny: on their email you can show when they subscribed to the list, the URL they did it from, their IP address and other stuff.

      Hopefully, that will act as a gentle reminder that you are NOT a spammer and they asked for you stuff.

      Here are links to a couple of 'How to do' articles on Aweber:

      https://help.aweber.com/entries/2166...n-My-Messages-

      https://help.aweber.com/entries/2164...e-My-Messages-

      Final tip: ensure every email contains something a great value (something they can action immediately and get an instant result).

      That way, they will be less inclined to cut their own throat by labeling you as a spammer and thus not getting any more great info from you!

      Warmest regards,

      Paul
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      If you want to stack the copywriting deck in your favor with tricks and hacks producing winners like: "$20K in three days" "650 sold" "30% conversion", then you might like to know I'm retiring and will spill the beans to two people. More info here.
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  • Profile picture of the author aleksbogata
    Thank you both. You know I did not have double opt-in. I was trained to use single. BUT am slowly becoming convinced that double is the better and more ethical option.
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    Who's your favourite coach/mentor: Alex Jeffreys -v- Kenster -v- Stuart Ross?

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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      Just accept it as a given. Some people will complain.

      Double opt-in will severely hinder your opt-in rate because of free email provider spam filtering systems. Many confirmation emails are lost.
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      • Profile picture of the author aleksbogata
        Originally Posted by Daniel Evans View Post

        Just accept it as a given. Some people will complain.

        Double opt-in will severely hinder your opt-in rate because of free email provider spam filtering systems. Many confirmation emails are lost.
        This is why I am still on the fence. Very undecided which is the best way to go for me right now.
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        Who's your favourite coach/mentor: Alex Jeffreys -v- Kenster -v- Stuart Ross?

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        • Profile picture of the author smwordsmith
          Even though the double opt-in has the potential to hinder the growth of your email list, it can accomplish two things, the first of which is what you want, reducing the likelihood of the spam issue.

          The second, and perhaps more important to you as an internet marketer, is that the double opt-in, if done correctly, can help you to build a more responsive list, which should be the more desirable.

          Be certain to remind the subscribers to add you to their contact list to prevent your emails from landing in the spam folder.
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          Sheila

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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Hooper-Kelly
      Hi alekbogata (again),

      Originally Posted by aleksbogata View Post

      Thank you both. You know I did not have double opt-in. I was trained to use single. BUT am slowly becoming convinced that double is the better and more ethical option.
      It's not only more ethical - it's a darn sight SAFER, too!

      And, done correctly, you don't need to lose any subscribers because they fail to click the link on the confirmation email. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

      Warmest regards,

      Paul
      Signature
      If you want to stack the copywriting deck in your favor with tricks and hacks producing winners like: "$20K in three days" "650 sold" "30% conversion", then you might like to know I'm retiring and will spill the beans to two people. More info here.
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        Originally Posted by Paul Hooper-Kelly View Post

        Hi alekbogata (again),



        It's not only more ethical - it's a darn sight SAFER, too!

        And, done correctly, you don't need to lose any subscribers because they fail to click the link on the confirmation email. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

        Warmest regards,

        Paul
        Aweber confirmation emails supposedly come from a different IP than the other emails that are sent out through them. Many web based email providers have this IP blacklisted and thus the mail goes into Spam / Bulk.

        Therefore, there's not a right or wrong way of doing things since it's out of the list operators control. It's not just a case of ensuring that no spammy words are within the title and body of the email.

        In a nutshell, confirmation emails are filtered.

        As an example, rake through a double opt-in Aweber subscriber list and note how many Gmail'ers are unconfirmed in contrast to other web based emails (and domain based emails). You can test for yourself also with your own Gmail to see that the primary reason is because confirmations fall into the spam / bulk folder.
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      • Profile picture of the author PCH
        Paul,

        slightly off the OP's topic, but I'm sure he'll be interested in your answer to this too if you wouldn't mind...

        When you say, "Done correctly" in your post, can you explain what you mean regarding not losing subscribers when they don't click on the confirmation link.

        The reason I ask is because I found that using a double opt in form, only about half of those who clicked the 'get access' button bothered to click the confirmation link too.

        Which made me inclined to use single opt in even though I know it can be fraught with danger.

        Would you care to explain please Paul? Thank you



        Originally Posted by Paul Hooper-Kelly View Post

        Hi alekbogata (again),



        It's not only more ethical - it's a darn sight SAFER, too!

        And, done correctly, you don't need to lose any subscribers because they fail to click the link on the confirmation email. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

        Warmest regards,

        Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author fated82
    Don't bother about complaint emails. Most of the time, it's because they are lazy to click on the unsubscribe button or just can't find it.

    As long as you are providing good content and your kit is targeted, you should be fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vednor
    I wouldn't really worry about it if I were you. It's something you'll get used to soon. But keeping the ration to a minimum has to maintained. Perhaps you can keep your next email message short, and give your subscribers a clear message to unsubscribe if they don't want to see your updates.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Blades
      My first SPAM complaint!
      Congratulations, you are on your way to being an internet marketer

      Don't sweat it though, there will always be an odd ball or two who will hit the spam button, even though they signed up for you emails
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      " I knew that if I failed, I wouldn't regret that.
      But I knew the one thing I might regret is not ever having tried. "

      ~ Jeff Bezos

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  • Profile picture of the author Stefan Shields
    Don't spend time worrying about this. It happens, move on and continue giving the rest of your grateful subscribers quality for their time.
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  • Profile picture of the author cuie
    I tried with double opt-ins and got equal amount of complaints. It is just nature of the game.

    Try to state as clearly as possible that

    1. Your message is not spam
    2. How did the receiver end up to the list and when
    3. How can they unsubscribe
    4. What value are you providing them (which they will be missing if they unsubscribe)
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  • Profile picture of the author xpesos
    This is very normal, some times users cannot remember when they had subscribed you and among all the other emails which might be mostly spam, they can also report your's as spam, me too got couple of complaints while i was highly on target

    Originally Posted by aleksbogata View Post

    I just received my first complaint from a subscriber after sending a broadcast via AWeber. I don't really understand why though. Firstly, I do not spam my list as it is rather new so am just in relationship building stage. I send about one broadcast a week and have not done a hard sell as yet.

    Why not just unsubscribe instead of complaining about the sender?

    My question is does this happen often and if so, how does it affect your account with the AR if at all? I don't want to be labelled a spammer!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8758341].message }}

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