What is responsible email marketing?

A responsible email campaign involves carrying out email marketing by following certain guidelines, right from obtaining email lists to sending out mails. Permission based email marketing or opt-in email marketing can also be termed as responsible email marketing but not to that extent.

Permission based email marketing Vs Responsible email marketing

Permission based email marketing as name suggests involves taking permission from recipients of e-mail before sending them any mails. But there are some basic points to be followed for a permission based email marketing campaign to be termed as responsible email marketing. The following points illustrate as to what permission based email marketing should involve to be considered as responsible email marketing.

Permission based email marketing should involve

1.) Obtaining email addresses by legitimate means like opt-ins 2.) Sending emails with a functional opt-out box 3.) Handing un-subscription requests at-least on a weekly basis 4.) Providing valid contact information and proper signatures with every mail 5.) Sending mails following a specific frequency at all times

Permission based email marketing should not involve

1.) Collecting email lists from email vendors or by using email software programs 2.) Sending mails with porn (without clearly stating so) or potentially damaging materials 3.) Sending emails with false headers that may create obstacles in tracking mail 4.) Sending emails with false IP addresses 5.) Sending mails that do not have a reverse DNS lookup with domain name 6.) Sending emails with misleading subject lines and mail content 7.) Sending mails from a computer that you do not have access to use

So only in-case permission based or opt-in email marketing has these qualities can it be considered as responsible email marketing.

How to collect email lists to carry out responsible email marketing?

EMAIL MARKETING IS THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL subject in Internet world now and is linked with a more controversial subject of Internet security and Privacy rights. This article is not about trying to show advantages of email marketing or email based CRM solutions, but to render a situation which will make you think about finding ways to make your campaign successful. This article will also assist you to address your strategy based on your specific consumer/product environment and needs.

As you start your week on Monday, rested and ready for another busy and challenging week of action, first thing that crosses your day is 84 un-invited emails and you begin to wonder how on earth did your email address make it on all those lists, unknown to you. And forcefully, you begin to unsubscribe each list until you hit one that really gets your attention: “Dear Mike, Thank you again for being a loyal mobile Customer. To reward you we are offering you 10% off of your next cell phone bill. Please visit a specific website and enter this pin number: 45658, and discount will be effective.” You go to website, excited at idea that someone does appreciate your business and you get 10% off of a cell phone bill.

What comes to mind when you think about your email? Email is for communication among your co-workers, a quick note to a family member, and probably JUNK MAIL. As a marketer, it is a necessity to ensure that none of your potential or existing consumers ever gets impression they are getting junk email from you.

The challenge How do you effectively use your database of email addresses without upsetting anyone, and, as importantly, maximize your return for your marketing efforts? How and when do you decide that email Marketing should be a serious and vital part of your Internet marketing efforts? Most likely you have been a victim of these email phenomena as your consumers are.

Brand Dilution After looking at many headlines such as “Spam Becomes Public Enemy #1” in numerous trade publications, many marketers are wondering if it’s a good idea to keep a distance from email marketing for a while. For many years, email has allowed advertisers to reach consumers directly. They could inexpensively incite immediate customer response. Now, media planners’ attitudes toward email marketing are changing. The word is around to distance marketers from controversy surrounding Spam. It’s difficult trying to defend this marketing method to clients. Above all, we’re concerned with effect renting email lists might have on clients we represent along with potential customer.Some Web users see enemy in every email marketing message, whether they gave permissions to Opt-In or not. Unwanted email is unwanted email, it’s dumped in Deleted Items folder regularly. Most email software now includes tools to eliminate Spam or unwanted emails. With these billions of messages and deep-seated resentment toward this sleazy online marketing practice, consumers have a new email mantra: Delete first, ask questions later. Spam not only results in poor campaign results, but also creates a negative perception for a clients’ brand.

Does this dismal state of affairs mean we should abandon email marketing until Spam problem is over, once and for all? email has a lot to offer. Marketers can’t afford to turn their backs on a medium with so much proven potential and reach.

Is there still hope for email-based customer communications? Are there ways to reach clients’ target markets via email without putting their brands at risk?