Marketing to an email list

[Tigris]

Hi guys,

over the last 4-5 years I have obtained quite a few client email addresses.

I am aware with GDPR I need to obtain permission to market to those email addresses.

Previously I have used mailchimp for other small online businesses I had (integrates with quickbooks which is where the email addresses are).

Would I be correct in thinking I could send out an email to all the contacts with an opt-in box, those who do so I can then send over an email once in a while offering any new services?

 

[MilesWeb]

Hi guys,

over the last 4-5 years I have obtained quite a few client email addresses.

I am aware with GDPR I need to obtain permission to market to those email addresses.

Previously I have used mailchimp for other small online businesses I had (integrates with quickbooks which is where the email addresses are).

Would I be correct in thinking I could send out an email to all the contacts with an opt-in box, those who do so I can then send over an email once in a while offering any new services?

Yes, sending an email to the opt-in list shouldn't be problematic. As you would be sending once in a while, it should be fine and chances of users unsubscribing would be minimal.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Either send them a message to ask them to opt out or send a marketing email with the option to unsubscribe (which communication should have!).

 

[Tigris]

Cheers guys,

will look into that.

Was a little concerned with GDPR/sending out an email to my existing customers who haven't opted in.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Give them a chance to opt out!

As they have been customers, there is a simple case of legitimate interest!

 

[AlanJ1]

As far as I am aware you cannot email them marketing unless you have a CLEAR opt-in under GDPR.

Give them a chance to opt out!

As they have been customers, there is a simple case of legitimate interest!

You can sometimes email these customers, but 1000% not opt-out. It HAS to be opt-in.

Look up "soft opt-in"

ICO States:

When can we use the ‘soft-opt in’?​

You can only use the soft opt-in when you're sending marketing emails or texts to offer similar goods or services. For example, if a customer buys a car from you and gives you their contact details, you’d only be able to market to them things that relate to the car eg offering services or MOTs. You need to give the customer a chance to opt-out at the time that you collected their data, and every time after that when you contact them for marketing purposes, and it must be clear and easy to do so.

The soft opt-in can only be used when you’re selling something or negotiating to sell something. This means that charities can’t use soft opt-in for campaigning, for example.

 

[NickGrogan]

Totally untrue.

If you couldn't email anyone without an opt in business would grind to a halt.

You can email past customers offering them a similar product/service without any opt in.

You can also email potential customers about relevant products/services.

 

[AlanJ1]

Totally untrue.

If you couldn't email anyone without an opt in business would grind to a halt.

You can email past customers offering them a similar product/service without any opt in.

You can also email potential customers about relevant products/services.

I reworded my post to include "soft opt-in" as I realised it was a little missleading.

 

[Mark James]

Are the emails going to individuals or companies? If it’s companies then your perfectly in your rights to send.

 

[Tigris]

Are the emails going to individuals or companies? If it’s companies then your perfectly in your rights to send.

Hi Mark,

the email list is a mixture of domestic and businesses. The majority are domestic though.

The service i'm looking at offering would be more popular to businesses (means a monthly subscription) so I could select the businesses and put them in a seperate list on mailchimp.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Individual address - as in Gmail/ Hotmail etc are tricky.

That said there is the 'legitimate interest' rule - and if they like you they are unlikely to complain.

My wife recently emailed 1000 clients, past and present- mostly personal addresses.

The legitimate interest was a process rise and contracting area.

The email made it clear it was 'occasional update' not the start of a spam-fest.

In addition to Hub-Spots compliant unsubscribe she highlighted that they might prefer to do so.

4 unsubscribes.

Loads of positive responses

 

[MilesWeb]

You can send emails to your existing clients, give them the option to unsubscribe. If they don't like your content they will opt out. Avoid re-sending emails to unsubscribed users in future.

 

[fantheflames]

As long as there's an option to unsubscribed, based on the information you've shared - you're completely fine!

 

[richyrich]

Hi guys,

over the last 4-5 years I have obtained quite a few client email addresses.

I am aware with GDPR I need to obtain permission to market to those email addresses.

Previously I have used mailchimp for other small online businesses I had (integrates with quickbooks which is where the email addresses are).

Would I be correct in thinking I could send out an email to all the contacts with an opt-in box, those who do so I can then send over an email once in a while offering any new services?

Yes, you would be correct

 

[HFE Signs]

On the other hand I get loads of emails I didn't opt-in to as I'm sure most people do, admittedly GDPR has reduced them but they still keep coming.

Be safe though and obtain permission and provide a working unsubscribe link

 

[fantheflames]

You could also consider using a double opt-in process. This not only ensures compliance but increases the likelihood that your recipients are genuinely interested in your offerings.

Without spamming your contacts, you can offer them the chance to sign up to your new content/offerings.

Plus, as I'm sure you're aware, segmenting your email list to target specific groups with relevant content can improve engagement and reduce unsubscribe rates.

Not everyone follows these rules, as @HFE Signs mentioned, but staying compliant protects your business and builds trust with your customers.

 

[Newchodge]

Totally untrue.

If you couldn't email anyone without an opt in business would grind to a halt.

You can email past customers offering them a similar product/service without any opt in.

You can also email potential customers about relevant products/services.

How do you know what is a relevant product/service if they haven't expressed an interest?

 

[Newchodge]

I must have got onto an email list as I have suddenly started receiving marketing emails to myname@mybusinessdomain.

The first one was straight marketing without proper identificaiton of the ltd company sending it or an unsubscibe option. I sent my standard 'contact me again and I will report you' they responded outlining what they could do for me, I replied I had reported them to ICO and ended the short email NOW P*** OFF. They responded

"Dear Cyndy Thanks for your reply. We take it that you do not desire our web design services. That’s fine! We wish you all the success with your digital business presence in the future. Hopefully our advice was helpful!"

Hopefully the ICO will point out the error of their ways.

 

[NickGrogan]

How do you know what is a relevant product/service if they haven't expressed an interest?

If it was related to employment law or payroll, it would likely be relevant to you; if it was related to shipping, it would not likely be relevant.

I'd also check if you're an ltd company or not.

 

[Ricklaws]

Hi guys,

over the last 4-5 years I have obtained quite a few client email addresses.

I am aware with GDPR I need to obtain permission to market to those email addresses.

Previously I have used mailchimp for other small online businesses I had (integrates with quickbooks which is where the email addresses are).

Would I be correct in thinking I could send out an email to all the contacts with an opt-in box, those who do so I can then send over an email once in a while offering any new services?

I personally think that you have the option to send out an email or an email series to any members?customers that have opted into your list . Always provide an opt out ?unsubscribe butoon for customers to stop recieviong emails from you .