Recently I received an unsolicited email from a non-named company. Not a great start to an e-relationship with this company.

From: Cathy
Subject: Requesting a quick 15 Minutes Conference Call

I didn’t recognize the name, nor did I recognize the domain of the email address “emaillist.us”. When I even go to the site it’s not really live.

Then I open the email, because I have to see what it’s all about. The opening line is: “My name is Cathy Simpson and I am with the online marketing division.” So I think, online marketing division of what company? Who is this person? Why does she want to set up a meeting?

The email goes on to read: “I came across your company website and found that we have a potential customer list who might be interested in your products or services.” Ok, I’ll keep reading because as a small business owner, I’m always on the lookout for someone who wants to do business with us. Not surprisingly, I was SCAMMED. They went on to talk about all of the spam lists they have to sell me, not once coming back to what may have drawn me in, which was the potential for them to give us business, quite the opposite!

I now want to unsubscribe, so I scroll to the bottom of the email to find a line that I can barely read in light powder blue: “We respect your privacy. If you want to stop receiving emails from us, please send a reply with the email subject line as “Leave out”.”

Plus there is no postal address which is against the CAN-SPAM Federal Legislation.

All in all, a terrible email marketing experience for the recipient. Here are things to keep in mind to avoid this:

1. Avoid “tricking” people into reading your emails, it’s not good business and it makes for a sour taste for your recipients.
2. Use your company name instead of a bogus title like “online marketing manager”.
3. Use your postal address so people know where to find you.
4. Make your unsubscribe message easy to read and easy to react to.

Here’s the email:

Have you had any experience like this?

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