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Opt-in Abuse

by noangel
14 replies
I have had to forego getting updates I am entitled to for products
I've purchased, simply because instead of provided updates as per
the opt-in agreement, I'm subjected to an avalanche of affiliate ads
every day, sometimes more than one a day.

Please people... have one list for those who purchase from you and
are entitled to receive updates and another for those who don't mind
being accosted with emails and being treated like a daily cash cow.

Angela
#abuse #optin
  • Profile picture of the author azmanar
    Hi,

    When buying products, the more ethical businesses offer 2 extra check boxes to opt-in:
    1. I would like to receive news updates on the product
    2. I would like to receive promotional materials from 3rd parties

    I think it is high time that we should emulate such culture. I found most branded companies such as Sony and Serif, are doing that. I have consistently been buying their products as a loyal customer.

    I'm thinking of doing that when I launch my online products. Probably the implication would be a slower pace of growth in my list, but my list would more valuable.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zack Lim
    For me personally, I will have one email address that is specially used to register for products that I have purchased. In that case, I will be able to read the emails occasionally to see whether there is any updates.

    I agree that it can be frustrating when subjected to an avalanche of affiliate ads
    every day as it has happen to me before. I would say just unsubscribe from that list as it is not worth it to kill your body cells by getting angry over it.

    As Azmanar has mentioned, I agreed that it is a good idea to offer 2 extra check boxes to opt-in. Customers will be happy and it is a long term approach to run a business

    Zack
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveFinch
    Originally Posted by noangel View Post

    I have had to forego getting updates I am entitled to for products
    I've purchased, simply because instead of provided updates as per
    the opt-in agreement, I'm subjected to an avalanche of affiliate ads
    every day, sometimes more than one a day.

    Please people... have one list for those who purchase from you and
    are entitled to receive updates and another for those who don't mind
    being accosted with emails and being treated like a daily cash cow.

    Angela
    I'm with you on this Noangel.
    I've unsubscribed myself from every list that does this. I can only assume that some people continue to do this because it makes them money, and they're not that concerned about irritating the likes of you and I. Let's hope that one day these people opt for the two check box lists that azmanar mentioned.

    All the best
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  • Profile picture of the author Zeus66
    That's a fair point. No serious list marketer wants to annoy people. If he/she can't be bothered to provide value and good info in their emails - even when making a sales pitch - they get what they deserve (a flood of unsubs). Some just don't care, and that's their prerogative. As long as they provide that unsub link then they can "churn and burn" if that's their choice and you can get yourself off their list.

    But the OP's point is well taken. If you offer updates, don't hold those people hostage to your constant blitz of pitches just to get a crucial update later on. Segment your lists.
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    • Profile picture of the author kbailey1734
      Some of these lists when you UNSUBSCRIBE will have an option to unsubscribe you from affiliate emails and just keep you on the program update list.
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  • Profile picture of the author noangel
    Thanks for your support guys.
    It's good to know I am not alone in feeling this way.

    Angela
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Originally Posted by noangel View Post

      It's good to know I am not alone in feeling this way.
      You are not alone. In fact, this is the third or fourth thread on the topic this week.


      Paul
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      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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      • Profile picture of the author salegurus
        Originally Posted by noangel View Post

        I have had to forego getting updates I am entitled to for products
        I've purchased, simply because instead of provided updates as per
        the opt-in agreement, I'm subjected to an avalanche of affiliate ads
        every day, sometimes more than one a day.

        Please people... have one list for those who purchase from you and
        are entitled to receive updates and another for those who don't mind
        being accosted with emails and being treated like a daily cash cow.

        Angela
        Totally agree with you on this one Angela.

        Originally Posted by azmanar View Post

        Hi,

        When buying products, the more ethical businesses offer 2 extra check boxes to opt-in:
        1. I would like to receive news updates on the product
        2. I would like to receive promotional materials from 3rd parties
        Great idea, will it be implemented? I doubt it...

        Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

        You are not alone. In fact, this is the third or fourth thread on the topic this week.
        Paul
        Well hopefully people are starting to take note.

        Final Thoughts:
        What happened to providing your subscribers with quality information, building trust and keeping them interested?
        Instead it seems like the new trend is, get them on your list and then try to milk them for every penny by bombarding them with tacky sales-mail ...
        Theo
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  • Profile picture of the author Coby
    I just unsub - rarely will there actually be any updates...

    with a few exceptions like software...

    If they can't provide me value then they don't deserve me on their list - just like I don't deserve people on my list that think I "abuse" them...

    The one instance when there was an actual update that I missed due to unsubbing I was able to get it from their website with a quick Google search...

    Just unsub and hit em where it hurts
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    • Profile picture of the author Adam Sussman
      Originally Posted by Coby View Post

      The one instance when there was an actual update that I missed due to unsubbing I was able to get it from their website with a quick Google search...
      One way around this is to bookmark the download page. Works most of the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author noangel
    Really Paul, I did not know that.

    So with this being a contentious issue, let's hope a couple of
    people take it on board and become more ethical marketers.

    Angela
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Originally Posted by noangel View Post

      Really Paul, I did not know that.
      No problem. Yours was at least rationally phrased. That's not the case with most threads on this subject. We get at least a few of them every month.


      Paul
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      Stop by Paul's Pub - my little hangout on Facebook.

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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Baker
    This is what I am hating about the WSO section lately. You will get sellers saying that you need to sign up to their list to receive updates, but yet you never receive said updates and instead are blasted with bloody affiliate offers. I'm sick to death of people who have no ethics and think the world revolves solely around money. Yes money is an important part of our lives, but it's not the be all and end all! If more marketers actually performed ethically there wouldn't be such a bad reputation amongst the IM community!
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