The Big Bad Tim Linden
My post yesterday, The Big Bad List, generated quite the feedback. 47+ Comments on the post, and 23+ Posts in NMF about it. Today I just wanted to clarify, that while the name of the post was The Big Bad List, the owners of the exchanges listed aren’t big and bad.
That and me saying “I’m calling you out!” in NMF, was really just me getting people’s attention. It worked, but I think there was more negativity than intended.
The issue at hand is something that needs to get fixed, but it’s not an overnight thing. (unless your Tim Rash who already fixed Fast Easy Traffic). It will take time as there are different scripts and people involved, and it’s been an accepted way of doing email in our industry for so long.
So please, don’t send hate mail, don’t delete your accounts, etc just because of this issue. The goal of the post was to bring up the issue, and point out that it does exist and it’s widespread. 20 exchanges in 24 hours, but I’m sure if I checked the past week it’d be over 100.
Oh, and in case you thought I was the expert, well I’ve had a copy of the LJ script for 24 hours now and haven’t figured out how to make it a one click delete yet. And on top of that I added Blue-Surf to the list when it was a transactional email that didn’t have the unsubscribe link (CAN-SPAM doesn’t apply to those), and I even typo’d his exchange URL. Sorry Scott!
Hey Tim
Its Ok! but Im running over to the forum to check out the goss!
Im sure you noticed that my mail from yesterday DID have both my physical addy and an unsubscribe link at the bottom?
Just a question….does this info also need to be in return replies to support tickets?
I for one am glad to have useful info on how to run my exchange properly, professionally and legally -so thanks!
Take care – Kym
Support tickets would be transactional. CAN-SPAM is more for mass / commercial emails ;-)
Hey Tim,
First of all I dont see the need to back track for pointing out what everyone should have already known.
Second as an active surfer in almost all of the exchanges listed i personally don’t care if I get 3 or 4 a day I’m not going to unsubscribe so I don’t miss anything. (I understand they must be compliant with the law)
Third one of the exchanges which seemed to be singled out without being mentioned by name does send multiple emails a day from site and from sister site amounting to the same thing, however these are 2 of my favorite exchanges and I look forward to the promos and the offers coming my way. Maybe I am naive but I feel a personal connection to these two owners and their support. The offers they have made have helped me tremendously and they have always (usually within minutes) been available to assist me in any way. I am not afraid to say that I have trust in David Foley and Ray Casey and Earle Taylor of Traffic Taxis and Volcano Hits and I will seriously consider any advice and offers they send me.
And I feel more secure in what they tell me over some of the “Big Names” whose sites I also surf only to look at their pages over and over.
I would rather get 5 emails promoting the same program than look at the same site 90 outta 100 times while surfing.
Anyways good looking out for all your colleagues and for having the conviction to stand up for what you believe!
merth
I agree Robert, nothing at all wrong with multiple emails daily. I usually send 5-6 emails a week myself but I see no reason an owner shouldn’t send more if that’s the service they wish to provide.
I saw a couple people complaining here that they’re getting numerous emails a day from exchange owners. I’ve seen this mentioned several times recently.
My point in response was that these people are complaining about 1 or 2 owners. Not the majority, or even a significant minority. Just one or two.
Anybody who doesn’t want that service can easily unsubscribe instead of complaining about an issue that is not anywhere near as widespread as they apear to be claiming.
There is plenty of choice here in TE World.
Yes I agree as well. I’m not back tracking on the being compliant, I just think some of my wording caused some people to react harsher than anticipated. It needs to get fixed, but it’s not like those owners are purposely not having the links.
Hi Tim,
I heard all about it thru the grapevine!
thought it was great of you to be so open!
thanks for keeping us surfers in on the owners stuff!
Beth
Sure got folks hopping, though, and it’s really in everyone’s best interest.
Karen Taylors lastest blog post..Have Florida swampland to sell? I’d probably buy it!
Hi Tim,
I did not see anything wrong yesterday
I don’t mind e-mails of promotion on the site I joined, but i dislike when they send e-mails out just to promote here link on another site. After al is this not what the TE are all about so you look at the sites and then join if you want?
Jolen
Hey Tim, Controversy Sells, I followed you on the Twitter tweak and have over 200 following me now. I will always come to your blog just to see what you are up to. Check this hub out for a little controversy of mine.
Have a Wonderful Day, Timothy Millar
http://www.hubpages.com/hub/no-more-long-sales-letters
Timothy Millars lastest blog post..Search Engine Optimization Marketing
is it free to register, and how about google adsense receipt it
Thank you so much for bringing this up with a bang. I really do think there should be a one click delete method for ANY list that you run. Logging in to delete your email is just too mcuh since many times a user wont even remember his/her password.
Hey Tim,
Picked up the mod yesterday and have it installed now. Also added in my detailed information. Believe this now holds true to the CAN SPAM rules. Thanks for the advanced warning.
Sean Supplee
visitmaniac.com
Great!
Hey tim,
I have a question about T.E.’s in general if you have time i would love to hear your thoughts.
Do you think its wise for exchange owners to offer free memberships to get people to sign up?
Hope to hear from you…
Thanks,
John B.
Hi Tim,
I have two comments.
One about the question just asked; Do you think its wise for exchange owners to offer free memberships to get people to sign up?
I would not have signed up for any TE if it were not for the free membership. Many of the TE’s that I join, I upgrade. It is a few that I don’t upgrade, mostly due to a shortage of funds. But even with that, I usually see something I buy from the TE owner or one of it’s members.
As for the number of emails, how many is enough and how many are too much. I don’t keep count of how many I get. I read and respond or read and delete. And sometimes if the headline don’t seem interesting, I just delete.
BTW, I read all the emails from SX as they are usually something I can use right away.
Note: If you can find an expert that can write in such a way that everyone know exactly what you mean, Let me know. I have research language for years, and no one seem to know what I say most of the time and disagree even when they do know. LOL
Thanks
Sherwood
a.k.a. topflight at SX
(reply to an inquiry of mine based upon this blog)
Tim Linden is making a complaint… anyone can complain. That’s not what Can-Spam is about.
I was one of the early (pre signage) advocates of Can-Spam, and stay up to date on it.
LEGALLY: If you are asking about the actual law, all UCE must contain an opt-out link. However, a weekly newsletter is not “unsolicited”… it is a requirement of membership. Remember that sending a message to someone with whom you have a relationship (such as someone who joined your site) is NOT spam. Example: If you buy a ticket from ticketmaster online, you agree to their terms, and they can not only email you, but can sell your email to their advertising partners. That’s not spam, but their partners have to have an opt-out link, or it is spam.
The thing you saw in (–edited) is the ability to not get emails from your upline… your referrer and their referrers. That has nothing to do with the weekly statistical email. The default agreement on (–edited) sites is that the subscriber/joiner must supply a valid email address and agree to receive a weekly statistical email.
There are practical (non technical) reasons for this… :
1 – If they don’t/can’t receive email, how can you tell them a site has been rejected?
2 – Also, you can get marked by email providers for constantly sending to a bad email address.
3 – If they buy something, it’s possible you won’t know who bought it if their email addresses don’t match up.
4 – As a vendor, how will you communicate to them things they can buy? Some members rarely log in.
That is why at —— sites, you can only opt out of system mail by closing your account…. The email is part of the membership requirements.