I’ve been accused of spam … so what?
All the talk about being accused of spam and if you don’t know any better … you just might be thinking … oh well, right?
The thing is … spam is a lot more serious these days than people really think it is.
Just to give you an idea … here’s an excerpt from my (hopefully) soon to be released ebook Producing Newsletters That Get Results
What Could Happen
Getting accused of spam could harm your relationship with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). The last thing you want is to have your internet connection interrupted as a result of a spam complaint.
Web hosting companies and law enforcements have cracked down on spamming - big time. Hosting companies simply do not tolerate it anymore. If you have your own hosting and you’re accused of spamming you very well could loose your hosting account. This of course depends on whether or not the accuser can prove it. This is a very simple task. All they have to do is pass the entire email onto your hosting company.
The FTC also has a page on their website that shows people exactly how to submit spam to them - again very simple. Simply forward the offending email to spam@uce.gov The FTC takes all the emails forwarded this address, sticks them in a database and uses them to pursue law enforcement actions against the person who sent it. For more information, feel free to visit the FTC Spam Home Page.
And I know this because I have reported spammers in the past.
To answer your question no, I don’t take spam lightly. I don’t have the time to deal with it. A simple forwarding and I’ve done my share to help stop the spam.
But you don’t have to take my word for it …
Here’s a quick overview according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of provisions in place:
- - You cannot use false or misleading header information.
This must be accurate and identify you or who you are affiliated with.
- - You cannot use deceptive subject lines.
You cannot use one subject line to encourage someone to open the email and have the contents of the email say something different.
- - You must offer an opt-out method.
This is so that the receiver can choose to not receive any other mail from you. There is a misconception about this law that says this is for mailing lists only. By law, this is not so. This includes any commercial emailing at all. This includes business opportunities.
- - The email must be identified as an advertisement and you must include a physical postal address.
You must let it be known that you are sending out a solicitation email which is an advertisement. You also must include your postal address along with opt-out instructions.
As I said, that is only a brief overview …
Be sure to read the entire CAN-SPAM Act before sending out your next email.
I mean no offense here but … even if we’re considered friends doesn’t give you the right to bombard me with links to your website or telling me about your newest business venture. If every friend did that to me, I’d have an email box full of spam from just friends. Heck, I don’t even send my own mother links to my newest website!
And remember … Ignorance is NOT an excuse! Familiarize yourself with all the laws and abide by them with every single mailing you send out.
And if all that doesn’t bother you … maybe this will …
Each Violation is subject to fines up to $11,000.00
Spam sucks - just don’t do it - it ain’t worth it!
Increasing in Him,
Anita
Topics: Business Stuff, Resources for Your Business |