Ask Aunt May: Spamming?

Please settle an argument for me. I’ve just received a promotion offering me 3 million targeted email addresses for $50. It sounds like a good deal and we need the leads but my business partner doesn’t think we should buy it. What do you say?

Need New Leads,
Oshawa, Ontario

A: Dear Leads,

Where have you been for the last 10 years? Have you even heard of PIPEDA? The answer is no. Absolutely not. What you’re talking about is SPAMming that list - you don’t have permission! Your partner is right for several reasons - first of all, those email addresses were probably harvested off the Internet using a software tool, a little practise that’s illegal in the US under CANSPAM. Not to mention PIPEDA. Second, the list is probably full of useless “info@” and “sales@” addresses that go nowhere.

If you need leads, there are plenty of ethical list brokers out there more than willing to send your messages to a well managed list for a reasonable fee. Meanwhile, send me the $50. I saw a lovely little purse that will go wonderfully with my Sunday hat and I promise to tell everyone in the store about your business - much more effective than that CD!

Aunt May