It astounds me the number of small business owners
(including creative freelancers like designers, photographers, etc) that I've
met either through business or personal relationships that assume that I would
be clamoring to get on their business newsletter.
Whether I've known these people for a while (perhaps we're
friends) or I said, "Hi" to them while washing my hands next to them
in the Chili's bathroom over the weekend, small business owners nowadays
mistakenly push to get as many people on their newsletter list as they can -
even if they haven't gained permission. I am sure it's happened to you as well.
The sad thing is that some of these people I am friends with
- I like them, but that doesn't hide the fact that they are assuming that I
want to receive a mass communication about their company. In most cases, I don't - there just isn't enough time in the day. Do you assume the people you know want to regularly hear about your freelancing business?
Whether it's friends or people you bump into at a networking
event, now the norm seems that small business owners just assume everyone wants
to hear from them via newsletter...and even if they don't they'll just
unsubscribe and it won't be a big deal.
Look, having a periodic communication with people that
you've worked for, met, etc... is cool - just don't assume that everyone you meet
wants to receive your news. Have a double opt-in policy for your newsletter or
auto responder (that's what I have), it sends an initial email to the recipient
informing them they've been added to a list and asks them if they truly do want
to receive that information.
Get clear permission to talk to communicate with someone first, then send them your newsletter or auto responder.
Good points. Just because they bought from you doesn't mean they want to hear from you! :)
The newsletter service that I use, which has a double-opt-in policy, is MailChimp (www.mailchimp.com).
Scott
Posted by:That Software Guy | May 11, 2008 at 12:39 AM