PLEASE don’t add me to your newsletter list just because we are friends on Facebook
July 14th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Just a couple of days ago I accepted a new friend on Facebook.
Next thing I know there is an email in my In Box..
"Thanks so much for connecting with me on Facebook. (deleted bit which might identify sender) Each month I provide clients, preferred clients and friends with a e-news ezine about (deleted company name to protect the guilty). If you do not wish to receive the ezine, please let me know and I will not add you to my list. "
How would you respond to this?
With over 600 friends on Facebook Heaven help me if all of them added me to their lists. And what would happen to people with the full quota of 5,000 friends? As if our Email boxes weren't full enough already!!
Of course if you are growing a business you want to convert friends and fans into potential clients and customers. But there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. And in my humble opinion putting someone on your email list without their permission just because they have accepted your friend request on Facebook is NOT the right way to go about it.
Do you send all your family and friends your Business e-zine? (I doubt it!)
I don't want the newsletter but now I am forced to take action to stop it. NOT a good start to a relationship.
So how do you do it?
By inviting Opt In's NOT requiring Opt Outs.
1. Make an offer too good to refuse.. a free e-book, e-course, special report.. Whatever will appeal to your target market.
2. Promote your fabulous offer by providing a link on your Facebook Page in the box just underneath your photo.
3. Invite people to take up your fabulous offer by providing an opt in box on the Welcome Page of your Business Page. That's what it's for!
4. Of course if you want to you can also use Facebook Pay per Click advertising and target your ads directly at people who are in your niche.
Then you will know that the people who are ADDING THEMSELVES to your email list genuinely want to be there. But PLEASE don't add me to your newsletter list just because we are friends on Facebook.
Love to hear your thought and ideas or perhaps you'd like to join me in a rant or rave.
Posted in Random Rants & Raves
3 Responses to “PLEASE don’t add me to your newsletter list just because we are friends on Facebook”
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I totally agree and think that is soooo rude. I don't mind if I receive a message telling me about their site as an fyi and so then at least it is up to me whether I sign up or not, but to just assume, that really pisses me off….
In fact, I am also fed up of receiving friend invites without any mutual friends, any introduction or explanation about why they are wanting to connect in the first place! Some people I have refused 3 and 4 times, marking that I do not know them – to receive yet another friend invite. I find it bizarre…..
Was the person Australian? If so, then they've broken the spam laws. Australian Spam law requires either Express or Inferred Consent and they obviously didn't have either. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_310572 Allowing for an opt-out is not acceptable.
Regardless of spam laws, it's really bad business practice. Build a relationship with the person, show them your value and then ask if they would be interested.
Hi Melinda,
No not Australian. And since then I have spoken to them personally and they are absolutely devastated about what they have done, have taken everyone added inappropriately off their list and are sending personal apologies. A great learning experience I think.