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Privacy and SPAM

2:32 with Dan Gorgone

Privacy is an important issue for users today, and as such, businesses using email must be concerned as well. Email providers and platforms are held to high standards when it comes to protecting user data and properly managing communications for companies with access to millions of people’s personal data.

Things to Consider

  • Are you familiar with the terms of the CAN-SPAM act?
  • How does your company comply with the best practices recommended by the FTC?
  • How easy is it for users to unsubscribe to your emails?
  • Is your physical address included in your email template?

Links

  • 0:00

    Privacy is an important issue for users today,

  • 0:03

    and as such, businesses using email must be concerned as well.

  • 0:07

    Email providers and platforms are held to high standards

  • 0:11

    when it comes to protecting user data and properly managing communications

  • 0:15

    for companies with access to millions of people's personal data.

  • 0:19

    The CAN-SPAM Act was passed to protect people from individuals

  • 0:24

    trying to take advantage of them for financial profit

  • 0:26

    through the use of misleading emails.

  • 0:29

    The CAN-SPAM Act not only sets out guidelines for businesses using email,

  • 0:35

    but makes it much easier for people to unsubscribe from communications

  • 0:39

    and sets big penalties for companies that don't comply.

  • 0:43

    However, don't let this scare you off from using email for your business.

  • 0:47

    The benefits are well worth your time,

  • 0:50

    and complying with anti-spam laws is simple enough to do.

  • 0:53

    Start by reviewing the Federal Trade Commission's tips on how to comply

  • 0:57

    and work with a reputable email platform,

  • 1:01

    like the ones we've mentioned in these videos.

  • 1:03

    The top email companies are very aggressive

  • 1:06

    about ensuring the privacy and rights of email recipients

  • 1:09

    and will work with businesses to make sure they follow the rules.

  • 1:13

    When it comes to protecting the rights of your customers,

  • 1:17

    be proactive about it.

  • 1:19

    When you add an email opt-in form to your site,

  • 1:22

    be sure to include a link to your privacy policy.

  • 1:24

    Let users know you'll protect their data,

  • 1:27

    and it can set their minds at ease.

  • 1:29

    Also, you'll want to include your business'

  • 1:32

    physical address at the bottom of each email.

  • 1:34

    Email platforms will require this before letting you send anything out.

  • 1:39

    And providing a clear and easy unsubscribe link is another requirement.

  • 1:44

    The unsubscribe process varies depending on how you handle your emails.

  • 1:47

    But once someone opts out of your messages, you must remove them.

  • 1:52

    Again, many of the concerns regarding privacy and spam

  • 1:55

    can be alleviated by working with a recommended email provider

  • 1:58

    and by following some common sense along the way.

  • 2:01

    Always consider things from the users point of view.

  • 2:04

    Consider the frequency of emails you send.

  • 2:07

    How many emails would you want to receive from a company each month,

  • 2:11

    each week, or each day?

  • 2:13

    Think about the businesses that you trust.

  • 2:16

    What do their emails look like?

  • 2:18

    Follow best practices and emulate companies doing things the right way.

  • 2:23

    As business owners and operators

  • 2:26

    we don't just have a legal obligation to protect our users,

  • 2:29

    we have a moral one as well.

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