Is there anything in the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 that prevents one businessman from sending an unsolicated advertising email to another businessman?

I see several conditions that must be met, but I don't read anything that outright prohibits it.

Thanks.

Alex

Dear Alex:

I used to write B2B emails for a company.

And it was, as far as I understood it, unsolicited emails. I never thought that I was writing spams. I was given the busy business owner some important news about how to grow his business and how to get new customers while cutting his or her lead-generation costs. But once a businessman even called to complain, and of course, his email address was removed.

I am not a lawyer. But I think that, as long as you clearly put an unsubscribe link into your email messages, then everyone is happy. If they don't want to hear from you, then they'll unsubscribe automatically.

Also, if you're using a service like Constant Contact, you'll get to know whether your emails are even being open...and that alone will tell you how welcome your messages are.

I would also look at this in a different perspective. If your email messages are news, if they are truly helpful, then I am sure the businessmen will welcome those information-based emails. And if you're sending pitches only, you will get kicked out.

Hope that helps.

Sincerely,

Unfortunately - all the Can Spam act really did was make spam ok as long as you met the conditions of the law, so there's nothing that outright prohibits it as I read it.

That said - how well do you react to unsolicited emails that you get? Do you even bother to read them, or swear off ever doing business with the company that send it to you?

Even if you're sending free info to someone that can legitimately help them in their business, I personally don't think it's worth sending someone an email about it. I know it's tempting because there's really nothing cheaper than sending email, but I think a real old fashioned letter would produce better results.

Cheers,

Steve

Thank you Swans and Steve ... much appreciated.

In my personal email account, I delete anything that looks like SPAM without reading it. In my business email account, I'm more cautious ... if the subject line looks like something I'd be interested in (i.e. it could help me), I open the email and start reading.

Agreed. I'm also thinking about using postcards. Businessmen are soooooo busy these days, it seems to me the "naked letter" approach would be best. The email or postcard (or both) will be a device to get the businessman to read my sales letter on the web.

Alex

Can I ask what sort of profit margin is involved with this product or service? What is the lifetime value of an acquired customer?

Michael, it's an e-product requiring personal customization + approximately 1 hour of over-the-phone consultation. By necessity, it will be limited to 40 copies.

The niche itself is very small with only about 6,500 individuals nationwide in it.

These folks do require other services and products, but at the present time, I'm not in a position to provide them.

Alex

OK Alex, so what is the price point?

That's something I'm still mulling over. No less than $495, maybe as high as $995.

I will be offerring a 6-month, no questions asked guarantee. Does the sale price have a direct effect on the number of returns?

Alex

OK.

You have a product with a big price tag and a fat profit margin-- meaning you can afford to spend a ton acquiring a customer.

So why be a cheap date with emails & post-cards?

My gosh Alex you should be hitting these folks with a direct mail sequence capped with a phone call. I'd even consider mixing in a free gift and possibly a fed-ex delivery on one of the pieces.

Michael, thanks for the fresh perspective! It's very easy for the developer/marketer of a product to become too narrowly focused, isn't it?

Alex