Email Marketing List Etiquette: 12 Tips on What Not To Do With Your Ezine List

There is a HUGE problem with entrepreneurs and email marketing that absolutely drives me crazy. Any time I bring up this problem every single person agrees with me and some people get very passionate about it. But it still happens.

Frankly, every time email marketing is mentioned at a presentation, seminar, workshop, or in written articles, this problem is addressed. So I know the problem isn’t due to a lack of information or ignorance.

So what is this huge problem? It is people adding other people to their list WITHOUT permission. Um, yeah … that would be called SPAMMING!

I am appalled at how many lists I get added to after attending meetings, networking events, and conferences. The funny thing is that I didn’t opt-in on their website, I didn’t ask to be added to their list, and I didn’t purchase anything!

Now, that doesn’t mean I am not interested in what they have to say or what they are doing. I just want to be granted the freedom to get their information on my own terms. I want to be given the freedom to subscribe to their blog in my Google reader instead of in my inbox. I want to be given the freedom to visit their website for new information. I want to be given the freedom to click on links posted on Facebook or Twitter.

The bottom line is that I deserve to have a choice as to what my inbox is being filled with.

With that in mind, here are some basic “what not to do” reminders on email marketing list etiquette:

1. Just because you asked for my business card at an event and I gave it to you, it doesn’t give you permission or the right to add me to your marketing list.
2. Just because you subscribed to my list, doesn’t mean you can add me to yours. It was your choice to join mine. Don’t I deserve the same option?
3. If you add me to your list without my permission and I ask you to remove me from your list, do not threaten to unsubscribe from my list in retaliation. Give me a break. If you want out, just click unsubscribe. It is okay and you won’t hurt my feelings. All it means is that you aren’t a good fit for me.
4. Do not automatically add everyone you know to your list. Respect overcrowded inboxes and give them a choice of how to receive your information.
5. If you don’t include an unsubscribe link in your email messages, you are a spammer and you are forcing your information on the recipient. Do not make it hard for people to unsubscribe. If you do, and they have to waste a lot of time trying to figure out how to get off your list, they will not like you very much.
6. Do not share your list with friends or strategic partners unless the people opting in are told in a very prominent and clear manner that they are going to be added to multiple lists.
7. Do not send me emails every day. My inbox is full enough and really, you should be a little more organized and group information together.
8. Your ezine has a specific focus, topic, or niche it serves. Stick to your niche and stay on topic! If I subscribe to an ezine from a nutritionist to get tips on eating healthy, I expect to receive just that. Don’t send me articles on marketing, or starting a business. Or if I subscribe to a business consultant’s ezine who is providing tips on running a business, he/she should not be writing about how their life stinks and they’re just hanging on week after week.
9. Do not fill your ezine with a giant laundry list of products that I should buy so you can earn affiliate commissions. Stick to just a couple that you actually use. Otherwise, it seems insincere.
10. If you’re not using a service that does it for you, make sure you process unsubscribe requests immediately.
11. If you are going to share some personal story about your weekend or what you have been up to, that’s great. But PLEASE try to make it relevant to what you’re writing about that week. Figure out a way to tie it into your topic or use it as a lead in to your article.
12. Respect your list. Do not waste subscribers’ time with fluff content and slick sales messages. Provide relevant, timely, and valuable information they can use.

Do you have any tips to add? Stories to share?