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This is a
very subjective question and it's definition is very
dependent on whom you ask or listen to. There are so many
definitions floating around that each person or body will
give you a slightly varied definition of "SPAM"
- however, the most common definition is simply "sending
unsolicited commercial e-mail".
Now there are formal rules and
definitions appertaining to SPAM which almost gives you
the impression that you can't send anything to anyone -
but of course that isn't so.
How To Avoid Spamming...
E-Mail is a method of communicating
with
other users - it should not be used
for blatant
advertising to people
who haven't asked for information on your products or
services. Providing you take note of this fact, are a
responsible person, and you use your common sense, you
should stay clear of Spamming.
Here are three pointers that will
help keep you on the straight and narrow where SPAM is
concerned:
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NEVER
send
advertising media to anyone that has not
asked for it - in other words, if they
have not directly supplied you with their
name and email address (called "Opt In")
then don't email them with your
advertising.
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NEVER
send
adverts to people on your Opt-In list
without including an "Opt Out" method -
a simple statement will suffice saying
something like:
"If
you do not wish to receive further
mailings from us, please click
here"
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(note
- this is an example, not a link)
The link
should be linked back to your automatic responder, or any other method of
collecting names and addresses, along with
automatic or manual removal of their details depending on how your set-up is
configured - but
DO honour their
request to be removed!.
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NEVER
try to
get anyone to "Opt In" by
giving them false information either on
your web site or in your email header -
for example, if you are asking people to opt in by offering your latest
information on "Web Site Design" - then make sure that the
content of your reply is about
"Web Site Design" - not full
of advertorial hype for other products
that you're also selling.
Likewise, ensure that the subject header
of your email is honest and relates to
the content contained within the body of
your email - whatever you do, do not use
a header (as some so called marketing
experts advise) that "...grabs the
attention - no matter what the content of
the email is...".
Those
sort of tactics are bad news - Do NOT do
it! -
you will get the reputation of being
dishonest - and remember here - to become
successful you have got to build up trust - plus,
you will be running a high risk of being
reported for SPAM!
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If You are Reported
for SPAM...
....the
risks can be high - it can result in:
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Loss of
Internet Connection |
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Loss of
your Internet Service Provider (ISP). |
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Loss of
your website |
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Loss of
your email account |
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Loss of
anything or everything related to your
email account |
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In
extreme cases you could face civil /
criminal penalties. |
There is only one
simple and straightforward answer
Don't Do It !!
DON'T SPAM
Get great tips and advice on
individual marketing techniques (that do not involve spamming!) in our book Web
Site Marketing Madezi
Discover the Solution
Here 
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