I'm pissed after receiving an email from a "big name" Internet marketer.

The subject line read, "Karl, a personal message from [name witheld to protect the obnoxious]."

Unfortunately for me, the message was not personal. It was a promotional mailing for another Internet marketer. Not one word of personal content.

Yes, his subject line worked; I opened his message. Some on this board would say he did his job. But I think Mr. Big Name has abused my trust. He's crossed a line.

And though I'm pissed, I won't unsubscribe. I'm on Mr. Big Name's list because I purchased his $1500 product and I need to keep the conduits open to receive updates about the product I purchased.

Am I out of line? Am I overreacting to a deceptive subject line?

Just how far should we go to get people to open email?

--Karl

I don't think you're out of line at all. If you can't unsubscribe, I'd simply delete unread anything further from him but I'd also send a note of dissatisfaction to the list owner.

No, Karl, you're not out of line. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. I think I received the same email you're talking about. I find this tactic very irritating.

I don't think you're out of line at all. And as a noob, I think it's reassuring to see you bring this topic up for discussion. It's nice to know not all internet marketers use such sleazy schemes.

Excellent point, Karl.

You raise the bigger issue of the utter lack of taste some people show in their marketing efforts.

For example, I was appalled recently to see someone using the name of a deceased big name Internet marketer as key words in articles designed to drive traffic to a particular website.

The bounds of decency are crossed when the personal isn't...and the dead are abused as an SEO tool. Can't imagine what surviving family members would think if they came across an article that misused their loved one's name in this manner.

Some will argue that the money spends the same regardless of the tactics used to get it. Maybe. But the personal price is too great.

Regards,

-Mike

Karl,
What I would do is simply email him or her and let em know how you reacted to this email.

If the marketer gets enough negative feedback (and perhaps unsubscribes), there is a good chance he will have second thoughts on doing this again.

If it continues, I would just unsubscribe.

I usually don't have a big problem with offers as long as there is some decent content I can take away, but when I start getting hammered day in an day out, it's time to leave.

Thanks for the feedback.

In the case of this Big Name marketer, he usually doesn't hammer his list (often less than 1 email per 10 days), which is why I took his subject line at face value. Also, he and I are connected by a project. He's the largest affiliate who's been advising my client. A personal email from him seemed very likely.

I have received several "personal" emails from other marketers over the past 8 weeks and they also teed me off.

In some cases the "personal" was a reversal of expectations. The personal aspect was about the marketer's own life. Still, deceptive. They know what they're doing.

As a copywriter, I understand the importance of open rates. When I'm writing for clients (and even on some personal email), I spend as much time on subject lines as I would on headlines. I try to balance curiosity and the promise of a benefit with integrity and relevance. It takes a bit of effort to pull it off.

And that's where these marketers are being damned lazy and counterproductive. It's easy to get a room's attention by yelling "fire!" But try selling them after you've done that.

no offense guys, but don't you all have better things to do than to complain about someones email?

Davemiz,

This is about copywriting. Email is merely the vehicle.

Why protect him? This guy isn't an idiot and if he's crossing the line, then let it be known...to all. Obviously he thinks you're brain dead (sorry Halbert) and can play these games. I agree with Primo's comment about writing back and telling him his e-mail was bullsheyet.

I get e-mails from pikers too. Probably the biggest PIKER on my list is Carl Galletti. Anyone ever hear of him? This guy has sent me 17 e-mails since October 8th and all the e-mails are PIKES for someone elses product. This guy hasn't sent one e-mail of any substance. . .ever. (I've been on his list for 3 months so that's probably 60 e-mails piking someones product.) This guy is the yang to Makepeace's yin.