Just what is “spam”?
What makes e-mail different from spam is e-mail has your
permission, spam does not. (IBOs are permitted to send one
e-mail to someone they don’t know and ask permission to send
them information about the business.) E-mail is from someone
you know, spam is not. E-mail is about something you need to
know about, spam is not. E-mail is business, spam is a
bother. E-mail is usually ethical, spam often is not.
Keep in mind that spam is often practiced by fly-by-night
scammers looking to make a fast buck. It’s also often
unsavory, sometimes offering things you won’t find openly on
the street. Sending out e-mails blindly to strangers might
seem at first glance like electronic cold calling, but
consumers don’t view it that way. You
might get a bite
or two that way, but more often than not you’re going to
turn prospects off.
Keep it personal
The Rules of Conduct (Rule 4.23) prohibit sending
unsolicited e-mails. It’s a Best Practice to know to whom you’re
e-mailing and have their permission to contact them, a natural
result of the person-to-person nature of this business.
Keep it personal – and
stay away from unsolicited e-mails.
