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A very dirty list

by obscenelygreen
7 replies
The short version of the story is that, against my advise, my boss has begged, borrowed, swapped and bought an enormous list of around 70,000 email addresses. They have all come from similar companies to our own so I'm sure there will be some valuable contacts in there.

I've now been given the task of working out how to best utilise this list.

I'd like to send an email allowing those who would be interested (many probably would) to opt in to a clean list and then try and convince my boss not to run it into the ground like he has the old one.

However, if I just dump them all in to constant contact or similar and blast out an email then we'll doubtless get so many spam reports that our account will be closed instantly.

What's the answer? Could I open a few throw away accounts with bulk mail providers to give me a few shots at getting people on to the fresh list?

Please don't advise me not to use the list, or the 'right' way to do email marketing etc. I know that this is far from ideal but my maniac boss will use the list whether I say so or not. My job here is to limit damage and get the best results possible from an admittedly unpleasant situation.
#dirty #list #mailing list
  • Profile picture of the author scrofford
    Originally Posted by obscenelygreen View Post

    The short version of the story is that, against my advise, my boss has begged, borrowed, swapped and bought an enormous list of around 70,000 email addresses. They have all come from similar companies to our own so I'm sure there will be some valuable contacts in there.

    I've now been given the task of working out how to best utilise this list.

    I'd like to send an email allowing those who would be interested (many probably would) to opt in to a clean list and then try and convince my boss not to run it into the ground like he has the old one.

    However, if I just dump them all in to constant contact or similar and blast out an email then we'll doubtless get so many spam reports that our account will be closed instantly.

    What's the answer? Could I open a few throw away accounts with bulk mail providers to give me a few shots at getting people on to the fresh list?

    Please don't advise me not to use the list, or the 'right' way to do email marketing etc. I know that this is far from ideal but my maniac boss will use the list whether I say so or not. My job here is to limit damage and get the best results possible from an admittedly unpleasant situation.
    Yeah, IMHO you could send out an email allowing those who want to opt-in and clean the list like you said. That's what I would do, of course someone may come up with a better idea here.

    Does your boss have any clue as to what spam is and what doing that can do to a business? I know you know, but I'm just curious. I hate bosses like that lol! They think they know it all because they are the "boss."
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  • Profile picture of the author Freddie
    Originally Posted by obscenelygreen View Post

    The short version of the story is that, against my advise, my boss has begged, borrowed, swapped and bought an enormous list of around 70,000 email addresses. They have all come from similar companies to our own so I'm sure there will be some valuable contacts in there.

    I've now been given the task of working out how to best utilise this list.

    I'd like to send an email allowing those who would be interested (many probably would) to opt in to a clean list and then try and convince my boss not to run it into the ground like he has the old one.

    However, if I just dump them all in to constant contact or similar and blast out an email then we'll doubtless get so many spam reports that our account will be closed instantly.

    What's the answer? Could I open a few throw away accounts with bulk mail providers to give me a few shots at getting people on to the fresh list?

    Please don't advise me not to use the list, or the 'right' way to do email marketing etc. I know that this is far from ideal but my maniac boss will use the list whether I say so or not. My job here is to limit damage and get the best results possible from an admittedly unpleasant situation.
    Change boss. Switch jobs.
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    • Profile picture of the author Doug Wakefield
      Print out a copy of the ICann spam rules so he knows that he is potentially opening himself up to huge lawsuits. Make sure this is dated, such as in a memo to help you later.

      Then if the boss still wants to proceed, make your call.

      He should know that simply sending out an email to that list could cost him upwards of 16k per email. Thats a lot of bank if he hits the whole list and it gets tracked and brought up in a suit. Just sending one unsolicited commercial email to one name on that list would likely cost more than he paid to get the whole thing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Doug Wakefield View Post

        Print out a copy of the ICann spam rules so he knows that he is potentially opening himself up to huge lawsuits. Make sure this is dated, such as in a memo to help you later.
        Absolutely. This ^^^.

        Make sure that you're protected, first. And keep a copy of that, yourself. This can easily turn into Disaster City and you need (at least!) to have it acknowledged and on record that it was not your responsibility and that you advised against it, unambiguously and in writing.
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      • Profile picture of the author GotLiveChat
        Originally Posted by Doug Wakefield View Post

        ...Print out a copy of the ICann spam rules so he knows that he is potentially opening himself up to huge lawsuits. Make sure this is dated, such as in a memo to help you later.
        ...
        business ftc gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business
        (put dots between business ftc and gov) This details the rules of sending unsolicited commercial email.
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    • Profile picture of the author CTonline09
      Originally Posted by Freddie View Post

      Change boss. Switch jobs.

      That was my thoughts exactly

      If i was you i would definatley clean the list down to people that want to be emailed your offers.

      What the point in emailing 70,000 people that have no interest in your product or offers?

      Clean it down then get results simple.
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  • Profile picture of the author PuremedsJ
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      I would take the advice of the people who suggested you inform your boss of the potential problems, including any legal issues that might apply wherever you live.

      The relevant law can vary wildly. Spam is not illegal in the US, but providers can be brutal on spammers, and there are other issues that can arise. It will become outright illegal in Canada soon. September, I believe. The EU and the UK have data privacy laws that can have sharp teeth, although enforcement varies. Oz has its own spam landscape, with interesting movement at the top of the agencies handling things.

      Depending on where you live and how the addresses were collected and will be used, your boss may be asking you to take part in an illegal act. Take appropriate precautions.

      If he insists on sending it, make sure there's a phone number in the message. Preferably one that you don't have to answer personally. It would also be good if the From address were one he has to read. The response may be enough to discourage him from any future adventures in spamland.


      Paul
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