How Mass Email Works

A few folks asked me about my recent email inviting them to subscribe to my newsletter. Some asked where the email addresses came from. Others called my invitation spam. Here’s my explanation so that I don’t have to tell the story more than once:

1.) I sent mail via the address you provided me by agreeing to link to me via LinkedIn.
2.) I sent an introduction to a service I thought you might want, because you’re in my circle of contacts and because for me, they’re one in the same (my passions about social media, and my contact list).
3.) I sent the introduction with a clear opt-out option so that you could choose to never receive emails from me in that format again (per the canned spam) law.

I use Blue Sky Factory for my email distributions because they have a high standard of what goes out from their platform. They are up front with how they deal with perceptions of spamming, so because I’ve followed their recommended methods for sending an introduction to such an email, I feel that I’ve done it “appropriately.”

Is every email you didn’t ask for spam? No. Is asking someone who considers themselves in my professional circle whether they want to also receive my newsletter spam? No.

There’s a huge difference between spam and “I didn’t want this.”

Or I think there is.

What’s your take? Let’s talk about it here.