How many e-mails have you received that contained
the following "disclaimer" (or something similar)?
This email is NEVER sent unsolicited. THIS IS NOT SPAM.
You are receiving this because you have either answered
a classified ad, posted to our FFA pages, are on the same
opt-in list or have sent me something in the past. If you'd
like to be removed, see instructions at the bottom of this
message.
What a lark! I want so bad to be able
to shoot a blazing message back to the sender and *SCREAM*
at him/her -- "You're wrong!! THIS IS SPAM --
because I have NEVER answered any classified ad, NEVER posted
to your FFA pages, am NOT on the same opt-in list, and I have
NEVER sent you anything."
Of course, to do so would be a waste of both
my time and energy. All that I would be doing is letting these
scumbags know that I actually received their unwanted, unsolicited,
stupid e-mail message so they can put an "active"
mark next to my name in their address database.
SPAM is actually a tricky subject. Some say any unsolicited mail is considered SPAM, but what about
a note from your long-lost cousin who moved to Timbuktu ten
years ago? Or an invitation to your 25th high school reunion?
These might be unsolicited, but would probably be welcomed.
A more accepted definitition of SPAM is unsolicited, unwanted e-mail sent out in Bulk that advertises some
website, product, or get-rich-quick scheme.
Some defend the right of legitimate business
owners to send out promotional e-mails to current and/or past
customers, even though the recipients have not 'opted-in'
to receive such correspondence. It's quite probable that such
an e-mail would be well-received; however, what must always be taken into consideration is the risk you assume when you
do this. If even one person complains to your ISP or web host,
you could lose your website, your Internet connection, and
the mailbox you used to send the message. When there are so
many other ways to effectively and safely promote your business
on the Internet, is it worth taking the chance?
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that the real
SPAM culprits are going to go away anytime soon. All we can
do is make sure we don't allow ourselves to be taken in by
them or to unwittingly join their ranks.
Nan Yielding has nearly 10 years experience as an online business owner. She is the owner of Writing-Etc.com and offers internet marketing services and assistance to help website owners attract more customers and increase sales.
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