Can I use email addresses if no opt in? more details inside..

7 replies
So with one affiliate if the customer completes an action I was getting $20. If they even enter there information (not giving me compensation) then the affiliate lets me know about it on a page. On this page it shows me the customers email address and gives an option to remind them with a preloaded email they send after x amount of time.

I know a customer needs to double opt in to be able to add them to a newsletter...-- but there's a couple hundred of these email addresses and I'd like to add them especially since they're targeted to similar products I can advertise. Is there anyway I can use these email addresses to add them to a list...Can I use them to communicate about the offer itself, about similar offers or send a opt in to that email?
I want everything to be legit of course...What all can I do with their email address?
#addresses #details #email #inside #opt
  • Profile picture of the author phinneus
    By the sounds of it your not the one collecting the email address. Your affiliate is but is offering that information to you.

    I would be very sketchy on marketing to them addresses unless it was you collecting them or a coregistration deal. Check the affiliates privacy policy and email them and ask if its they allow you to follow up directly.

    I personally would not use them unless the affiliate gave the ok and it was ok according to there privacy policy
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  • Profile picture of the author CouponPotion
    Right, that's exactly what's going on. I did not collect the emails.
    So basically, as much as I would like to use them, I will stay away.
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  • Profile picture of the author lauuuer
    The only way of building a list and doing email marketing is with Double Opt In.

    The information you got is the same as anyone selling email lists but you got them for free.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by CouponPotion View Post

    I know a customer needs to double opt in to be able to add them to a newsletter
    This is incorrect.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by CouponPotion View Post

    So with one affiliate if the customer completes an action I was getting $20. If they even enter there information (not giving me compensation) then the affiliate lets me know about it on a page. On this page it shows me the customers email address and gives an option to remind them with a preloaded email they send after x amount of time.
    First, we need to clarify some information. The way I'm reading this, you are the affiliate and the company whose affiliate you are was paying you when someone completed and action. If a visitor enters their contact information without completing the payable action, you are given the option of having the vendor send a reminder email after a certain amount of time. Correct?

    Or is the vendor giving you the email and a pre-written template email to send on your own?

    It makes a difference.

    If the email is going out from the vendor's account in the vendor's name, you should be okay with a single follow-up about the offer they initially volunteered their information for.

    If the vendor is asking you to send an email from your own account, that's different. You have no previous relationship with the visitor - they gave their contact information to the vendor, not to you. So unless the vendor's privacy policy allows for contact by affiliates (and it might well), the vendor is asking you to spam on their behalf.

    Originally Posted by CouponPotion View Post

    I know a customer needs to double opt in to be able to add them to a newsletter...-- but there's a couple hundred of these email addresses and I'd like to add them especially since they're targeted to similar products I can advertise. Is there anyway I can use these email addresses to add them to a list...Can I use them to communicate about the offer itself, about similar offers or send a opt in to that email?
    I want everything to be legit of course...What all can I do with their email address?
    Technically, confirmed opt-in (aka 'double opt-in') is not required. Many third party services do require it to discourage spammers from using their service. It's the same reason many services won't allow you to import outside lists.

    That said, those addresses don't belong to you. Those people opted in to receive information about a specific offer from a specific vendor, not to land on your list and get offers from strangers.

    Without reviewing the specific privacy policy, TOS and affiliate agreement for exceptions, it sounds like you can't legitimately do anything with those addresses.

    Sorry...
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  • Profile picture of the author Sabrina001
    Not a good idea if you send email to the list that is not opt-in. Because this will not only increase the spam rate of your email campaign, but also harms your sending reputation if you are doing in-house email marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author CouponPotion
    Thanks for all the replies everyone. After reading the replies I realize now that it was silly to ask. I knew the answer just needed someone to say it for me to realize it I guess. I wouldn't want some stranger using my address in this method and I won't use these ones.
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