Curious on mailing list ettiquette

[ragandstone]

I have recently discovered mailchimp, an online service made to send out mass email for small businesses. I want to start a mailing list. Is it inappropriate to use emails from folks who have already purchased from me, even if it's not necessarily with their direct permission? I don't want to burn bridges here, just build 'em!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Never put someone on your mailing list that did not specifically choose to be on it!

From now on you could ask your future customers (during a transaction) if they would like to be on your mailing list. But don't contact former customers, since that would be spamming.

[Former_Member]

Look over the maimchimp guidelines closely, as you have to follow government laws here.

You can't add anyone to your mailing list unless they have specifically requested permission for you to do so.

I would suggest sending a friendly convo via Etsy to all your previous customers inviting them to subscribe to the mailing list. You could include an incentive like, "Join our mailing list for a 10% off coupon!" And then just make sure all new subscribers get the emailed code.

This way, you're inviting them and giving them the choice. I think (even without considering the laws) that is much more professional, too.

[Former_Member]

Note: I'm not sure if you can contact previous customers because of Etsy TOU's. You'd have to look that over.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Nope, you cannot do that.
It is spam.
The only reason you got their mail address was to handle their purchase.

[ragandstone]

K, thanks. But I still think maybe since folks have already show interest (and purchased something from my shop) It is not really spam? There's got to be some validity to that?

[Former_Member]

If Etsy TOU's say the only reason you can contact them has to be directly pertaining to their order, than it would still be spam.

I've purchased from a lot of shops over the past few years on Etsy, and I wouldn't want to be randomly contacted just because I made a purchase.

Just start putting some kind of mailing list sign up incentive in your shop announcement, policies, and in the message to the buyer after someone purchases.

[Former_Member]

I say I wouldn't want that and yet I suggested possibly doing that if TOU's said you could. They apparently don't, but I didn't ever send an invite to customers because not everyone appreciates it.

Just good business practice to be an non-invasive as possible :)

[ragandstone]

cool, thanks for the help!

[wildwomanbeads]

You're going to have a happier mailing list if you allow people to opt in rather than have to opt out of something they didn't choose.

You might choose to send out an initial mass mailing to your customers, announcing something new about your shop (a contest, a new line of items) and use that as an opportunity to say you'll be emailing new info x number of times a year (I never do more than 6), and if they want to be on that list to be the first to know about new things, you might get a nice % of your people opting in.

I have several bead artisans who send me monthly newsletters with their new products, but I'm good with that since they first gave me the chance to buy in.

Happy customers!

[Former_Member]

I would make my first mail campaign a sign-up campaign. Mail chimp automatically allows people to opt out, they just have to click. You'll get a notice too.

Send out an invitation to join your newsletter via mailchimp. Those who don't want to be on the list will opt out. Using mailchimp this way will save you time and keep all your email invites private.
The recipient will think its a personal request from you and not spam.

The majority of business on the web so this.
Good luck!

[Former_Member]

oooops sorry that ought to read:
The majority of businesses on the web do this type of promotion.

[artangel]

I find it irritating to be added to mailing lists I haven't subscribed to. If I buy something from a shop that really doesn't mean I'm inviting them to email me on a regular basis.

I use Mailchimp, and they ask you to confirm when you add someone to your contact list whether that person has consented. I have heard that if you get a lot of unsubscribes (which you may well do if you add people without their consent) Mailchimp will look into it.

What you can do is add your mailing list details to your shop announcement, blog etc, and ask your customers if they'd like to sign up when you convo them to let them know their item has shipped.

[WildflowerSalvage]

This sounds like a wonderful advertising strategy going forward. From here on out, when a customer makes an order..ask them if they would like to receive discounts or sales brochures. You can also add a spot on your Facbook page for sign up. Tweet for signup as well. I would follow the Etsy rules to the letter...there are a ton of people who sit around and wait for a shop owner to make a mistake...then POUNCE. I know this is not in the spirit of Etsy, but I have seen this behavior in abundance.
The rules state that you need permission to do mail outs..cover your own behind and dot all the I's:) You can put me on your list!

[ragandstone]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and suggestions, The words "non-invasive" resonate best.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Besides on social media, you could also ask people to join your mailing list in your shop announcement or on your profile.
Or in your message to customers in each transaction confirmation.
Or all three of them...

[SilverMoonBathandSpa]

I really don't understand why it's wrong or considered spam. I consider it part of follow up and customer service. It's all part of good sales skills.

I can understand not overdoing it and as long as there's an opt out option I really don't see how anyone who made the choice to be your customer in the past would be upset or offended to hear from you.

I would personally be glad to receive an email or newsletter from someone I previously purchased from and if they started to send too many or I found them imposing, I would just opt out.

[CapeCodArtnNature]

you can add your mailing list sign up link in your note to buyers so they have a chance to opt in when they make a purchase. You can also add the sign up link to your blog, FB, Twitter, etc.

[merryalchemy]

I've been following some of the threads relating to mailing lists and would like to have a link in my message to buyer and/or my shop announcement to sign up for my list. Is there some type of service that I can sign up for that manages this sign-up? In other words, where would my link go to? In the past I've just asked people to email me, but no one ever signs up this way, understandably. Mail chimp seems to be a service that sends out blasts once you have the list, but not a service that manages requests to be put on your list.

[merryalchemy]

Nevermind! I should have done more research first. Mail Chimp does have a sign-up form feature. I'm going to give it a try.