Some people, in a desperate attempt to get us to open their email, use outright lies.
Got one today from a person I’ve worked with before. The SUBJECT was:
So of course, I opened it with happy anticipation…
But the email said:
“That is what you will see flooding your email box
at the end of this month.“Go here to see what GURU Mark says about this upcoming
brand new mega launch…”
I emailed the sender right back, asking why he’d had to tell me a lie to get me to open his email.
His quick reply:
“Sorry Kim….
“Just a tactic we use to make sure the emails get opened.”
So that’s what it’s come to. Outright lying as a tactic among online ‘friends’ to get us to open emails. This is the second time someone’s done that to me of late. I got off both lists.
Am I wrong to have this reaction?
P.S. This was not a network marketer. He’s an affiliate launch sales manager. That means he promotes launches of certain online programs to folks he hopes will market the program for him.
I'm a big fan of your blog. Everything I have read I totally agree with.
I also hate those emails. I get them all the time and they are usually from people I who's list I never asked to be on.
They drive me nuts. I've never sent them an email because I thought they would never reply.
I made similar post about peeves I have with twitter DMs http://curtclapier.com/156/are-you-kidding-me/
You may like it.
It's sad. These poor people are just doing what they are told by their sponsor. However, they MUST know it's wrong. They must know it's illegal. Anytime you get one of these, forward it to the US Government to spam@uce.gov
We all need to band together and get these spammers fined. They can be fined up to $10,000 per occurrence. I generally pick one or two to respond to and see what their reaction is. If they are nasty and not willing to stop their shenanigans, forward their email to the email address above.
Okay. So you opened up their email, got irritated, and then opted out of of both lists.
Now how stupid is that on their part?
On top of all that, they lose credibility.
When will these "gurus" learn?
The ones who don't resort to this sort of tactic stand heads and tails above all others.
Honesty really is the best policy.
Paul
Eat Well. Live Well.
PurpleGreenPops.com
I totally agree with you. I would have also gotten off the lists. When it comes to sales, we need credibility. I want my customers and potential customers to see me as a friend and solutions provider, not someone who's so desperate they have to lie.
Honesty is always the best policy.
I really dislike when people do that. What's the point? We might open the email, but just will get upset. As far as myself, even if I was interested in whatever that person sent me, I would not buy from him or her or join.
So the bottom line is…BE HONEST!
Kim, I agree that misleading tactics like that should not be used. They certainly give legitimate marketers a bad name. Keep up the great work, I really enjoy your blog!
Roxanne, I believe it would not be considered spam if you have ever done business with, or requested information from the sender. I send periodic e-mails to both categories, and rely upon them to opt out if that is their preference.
Best to all.
I totally agree with you. Lie to me to get me to read your stuff, you lost me as soon as I know it wasn't true.
People seem to behave as if the laws of Spirituality and / or Thermodynamics do not apply in the arena of Network Marketing…
Just do what ever you want, when ever you want to who ever you want…
Such behavior is imistakably criminal to the tune of numerous Felony charges…
Wicked, wicked, wicked.
Wow! How DESPARATE can a business get? I also hate those emails that have a "no reply" policy so you can't unsubscribe. Unlike Kim's you can't get back to them with any comments or get off their "list". Not nice at all!
So sad. I think it's all about character. I get those too, and people like them give network marketing a bad image.
Ironically…I'm the one that Kim was speaking about.
She contacted me directly about this, and I've since realized it was not appropriate…and won't be doing anything like that in the future.
Sometimes you just get caught up in trying to get the best results for your clients…you go to far…and you have to have someone tell you that.
I'm very happy Kim did 🙂
So…yeah…again, I want to apologize to Kim and the community, and hope that folks understand that everyone does stuff they realize, in hindsight, wasn't 'right'.
Warmest,
-David
David,
You have guts for fessing up! I must be part of the majority here… I delete those emails and don't want to work with those people.
Brenda
Interesting that when your email arrived on this topic the next email in my inbox had this as its subject
ZERO COST "DIRECT TO MAILBOX" ADVERTIZING, Get it "Only Here"
Of course it will cost me something. Of course it is hype and lies. What do they have to gain?
Makes it hard to accept credible information when it comes through – we are so inundated with the lies and hype!
Thanks, Kim
Phyllis said:
Roxanne, I believe it would not be considered spam if you have ever done business with, or requested information from the sender. I send periodic e-mails to both categories, and rely upon them to opt out if that is their preference.
Unfortunately, if someone has not specifically requested the info you are sending (ie: newsletter, mailing list, etc…) FROM YOU, it is spam. If they say they didn't request it, you had better have an opt in autoresponder form and be able to prove to the US Government that the person specifically requested information on that topic from you. They will want the opt in page URL and the IP address and date/time stamp that goes with the form submission.
Believe me, someone tried to turn me in before and I had to supply the US Government with all of that information. Spam, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
Your emails MUST include a way for the receiver to opt out as well as your PHYSICAL mailing address.
Deceptive headlines are automatically spam no matter what. Regardless of whether the receiver opted in or not.
Unfortunately, there are way too many people out there emailing without knowing the LAW. Google CAN SPAM law. Here is a direct link to the law. This is the FTCs site.
Hi Kim,
I love your site and your great advice. I agree wholeheartedly with you. I've done the same thing (unsubscribed to sites, deleted subscriptions to some "guru's" who were just out to gain sales and not dispense good advice, etc.) I've also dropped so called "friends" because of their spamming.
Keep up the good work!
Diane Kolessar-Berl