* Adding people to your opt-in list without their permission - SPAM! Inviting people to join your list is one thing, but adding them without permission is a definite NO-NO.

* Visit every board you can, leave an ad and never come back - SPAM! Message boards have specific rules for posting and are usually for people to discuss and learn from each other, not for posting ads.

If you are unsure as to whether something is spam or not, visit some boards and ask other more experienced netpreneurs. It is better to be sure than to be accused of spam. Join some discussion lists also, to learn more about spam and what you should or should not do.

Message Boards:

http://www.free-publicity.com/cgi-bin alk.cgi http://www.bizweb2000.com/wwwboard/ http://start-smartz.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi#post

Discussion Groups:

mailto:pubsonly-subscribe@topica.com mailto:Newbies911-subscribe@topica.com mailto:epub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Visit these sites for more information on what spam is, what to do about it and how to avoid it:

http://w3.one.net/~banks/spam.htm http://www.arachnoid.com/lutusp/antispam.html http://www.spamfree.org/ http://stopspam.sparklist.com/

Be cautious of way you conduct your business. Some people are tolerant of spam (if you are not a repeat or offensive spammer) and will just hit delete button, but some will report anything they think is spam.

Do some research on spam and how not to become a Spam Artist!

3.) Record their IP Address, you do not have to tell them that you are doing it, but do it. Although IP Adresses CAN be forged, if they are not aware that you ARE doing it, chances are it will be REAL. If you do NOT know how to do this, just copy and paste this code into your subscription form. Copy - input type=hidden name="env_report" value= "Remote_host,Remote_Addr"

4.) Make all fields on your form REQUIRED and if someone has a FISHY looking email address, don't add them to your list. Here is code necessary for making all of your fields required. input type=hidden name="required" value="first name,lastname,email"

5.) If they persist that your ezine is "SPAM", your best bet is to contact your ISP and web host immediately. Make them aware of situation and also forward them a copy of persons subscription request (with full headers) and ALL correspondence with complainant (full headers). In most cases your ISP will appreciate your honesty and nothing will come of it, even if person DOES complain.

6.) My last bit of advice is, try to maintain a good working relationship with your ISP and web host. Both my ISP and web hosts are all well aware of what I do online, they also know I take ALL of precautions that I can in respect to my businesses. Over past few years I have gotten to know them on a "personal" level - which is nothing but a BENEFIT to me in long run, should a situation such as this should arise. And I encourage you to do same ;o)

If you have been falsely accused of spamming or are now being blocked because of it, you CAN fight back! Go to: http://www.e-crucible.org and file your complaint, as there is a pending lawsuit against "Anti-Spammers", ISP's and hosts that utilize these programs.

Article by Laurie Rogers Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved