Email Marketing - Legal Copy?

7 replies
Hi all,

I've been approached by a company to use a product of theirs for free in exchange for collecting email addresses and I'm not sure what legal information I need to provide to the visitors.

The product is an ebook which costs around £20 ($30) and is available globally. For my company newsletter, I would add the typical 'subscribe to our newsletter and receive the download...' blah blah blah, but how do I also add that their email address will be handed over to this company. I don't know what the company will do with the email address, so should I be adding some sort of disclaimer? The legal information online is confusing.

Any info would be great.

Thanks,

J
#copy #email #legal #marketing
  • Profile picture of the author schttrj
    Originally Posted by jodiesmitham View Post

    Hi all,

    I've been approached by a company to use a product of theirs for free in exchange for collecting email addresses and I'm not sure what legal information I need to provide to the visitors.

    The product is an ebook which costs around £20 ($30) and is available globally. For my company newsletter, I would add the typical 'subscribe to our newsletter and receive the download...' blah blah blah, but how do I also add that their email address will be handed over to this company. I don't know what the company will do with the email address, so should I be adding some sort of disclaimer? The legal information online is confusing.

    Any info would be great.

    Thanks,

    J
    As a matter of fact, you DO NOT have to do anything.

    Your readers will be guided to a squeeze page that will inform about the email subscription process to them.

    Moreover, they will also get a chance to confirm their email address once they subscribe.

    That's how it works.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8938141].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jodiesmitham
      Thanks for your response.

      I don't think I made myself clear. The idea is to have a squeeze page on my site which allows people to sign up for my newsletter in exchange for the ebook download. The company providing the ebook want the email addresses of those who subscribe. Therefore, I need to warn those who subscribe that their email address will also be given to this company.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8938151].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by jodiesmitham View Post

        Thanks for your response.

        I don't think I made myself clear. The idea is to have a squeeze page on my site which allows people to sign up for my newsletter in exchange for the ebook download. The company providing the ebook want the email addresses of those who subscribe. Therefore, I need to warn those who subscribe that their email address will also be given to this company.
        You're absolutely right, ethically if not legally. And don't bury it in a privacy policy or tiny print in your footer.

        Just tell people that you're offering the £20 ($30) ebook free thanks to a private arrangement with the vendor. Due to the terms of the arrangement, they will be contacted by the supplier.

        Tell them that if they want the book without sharing their info with the supplier, they can purchase it at [link - straight or affiliate (which requires its own disclaimer)]
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8939034].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author jodiesmitham
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          You're absolutely right, ethically if not legally. And don't bury it in a privacy policy or tiny print in your footer.

          Just tell people that you're offering the £20 ($30) ebook free thanks to a private arrangement with the vendor. Due to the terms of the arrangement, they will be contacted by the supplier.

          Tell them that if they want the book without sharing their info with the supplier, they can purchase it at [link - straight or affiliate (which requires its own disclaimer)]
          Thanks John.

          To the others, thanks for your feedback. I will also benefit as the subscribers will be added to my list. I just wanted to get the copy right, so the visitors *know* they will be added to my list AND the vendor's list.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8942926].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    Why use their ebook? If it only costs $30 then they are getting some very cheap subscribers on you.

    I would use your own opt-in bait. Why give up your subscribers?
    Signature
    Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
    All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8938767].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RussellW
    Originally Posted by jodiesmitham View Post

    Hi all,

    I've been approached by a company to use a product of theirs for free in exchange for collecting email addresses and I'm not sure what legal information I need to provide to the visitors.

    The product is an ebook which costs around £20 ($30) and is available globally. For my company newsletter, I would add the typical 'subscribe to our newsletter and receive the download...' blah blah blah, but how do I also add that their email address will be handed over to this company. I don't know what the company will do with the email address, so should I be adding some sort of disclaimer? The legal information online is confusing.

    Any info would be great.

    Thanks,

    J
    As Mr Stangel said this seems like a great deal for them but not so much for you.

    Honestly you could create a couple of your own free reports in a few hours or so. As long as they're on message and ultra-relevant you'd have some good bait/ freebie signups. And you'd get to keep your subs to yourself.

    What does your company (the one you have a newsletter for) do?

    Good Luck
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8939269].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author yakim1
    What niche are you in. I have hundreds of squeeze pages and I will give you a report for free that you can use. if you PM me.

    I agree, this is a bad arrangement for you. You should counter offer to add their product advertisement to your site in exchange for a commission. That way you earn income and it would be their job to collect the buyer information.

    So approach this as an affiliate would look at this because this is not a good joint venture for you.

    Best regards,
    Steve Yakim
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8943262].message }}

Trending Topics