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Question about list building

by GeorgR.
5 replies
If you have a payment system like DLGuard, every customer email is added to a database.

So i am sitting on a "list" of a few thousand customers where i know they are interested in IM and related products since they purchased my products.

The problem is, the customers have really not explicitly "opted in" so i am having a little dilemma.

I remember that i often get other emails from other marketers where i myself purchased something, emails which usually go like:

"Hi, XYZ here, you are receiving this email because you are a customer of mine/bought XYZ ...etc.." <- and then possibly promoting a new/related product to the existing customer clientele.

My dilemma is that i dont know whether i can use my "list" *at all*, even the above would be probably not allowed?

Or is there a way i can send out emails to my "list" and then ask people whether they want to sign-up for my newsletter/information..and then only use the people who signed up in this second step...basically making an "opt-in" list that way?

g.
#building #list #question
  • Profile picture of the author Mike Long
    If you want to conform to the letter of the law as it is currently written, I think you're going to have to go with the second option, and even that could be a touch dicey.

    On the other hand, when I make a purchase from almost any specialty brick and mortar vendor (REI for example), I start getting catalogs from them without being asked, and without specifically signing up for them.

    From my own moral, ethical standpoint, I would consider those who have purchased from me to be a member of my "list", and I would contact them. For anyone who complains, I would apologize profusely and offer to immediately move them to a "do not contact" list so they won't be reached again.

    ~Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Million
    Sign up with an autoresponder company like iContact, which will let you import lists and email them without requiring confirmation. If you get a lot of complaints you'll have issues, but if these people purchased something from you then make your first email something like this:

    Subject: "New Version of XXX - Free Upgrade for Customers" or "XXX Bonus - For Customers Only"

    Email:

    "This is an upgrade (or bonus) for your order of XXX. You can download it here:

    www.whatever.com/bonus

    We've got more exciting things coming out such as x, y, and z. You'll get some of this for free as being a loyal customer of XXX.

    Feel free to email me at whatever@whatever.com if you have issues downloading the update/bonus.

    Warm Regards,

    Yourname"

    ---

    Something like that should eliminate most or all of any complaints you could get and re-establish rapport with your list.

    Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tyson Faulkner
      I'd definitely go with Scott's idea. If they have purchased something from you, then they opted into your list with their credit card information, not just an email address.

      If you want to move them onto an autoresponder list, send out a couple emails with an updated product link, some free bonuses, or something else that will compliment the original product.

      I would have no problem emailing them since they opted in through a purchase, which is much more targeted than someone who just signs up using an email form.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clint Butler
    Contact them, they expect it, just make sure you give them a method to unsubscribe from your list to ensure you are in compliance with CAN SPAM laws. Iif you need a low cost autoresponder send me a PM and I'll direct you to one I use.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Million
    Also, forgot to mention that you can import a portion of your list and split test 2-3 different emails and see which one gives you the lowest (or no) complaint % & unsubscribes, then take that winner and email it out to the rest of your list.
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