Spam is a relatively new term that has come about since the dawn of the Internet age, or for about the past 20 years. It is essentially the sending of the same message to a number of Internet users who have not chosen to receive it. While there are many ways to reach your audience, sending unsolicited messages to them by email or by any method of communications is not an effective one.
In telecommunications, spam can come from more than just an email service. It can also be phone calls received from robocallers. Often companies that use such systems have purchased a list of phone numbers of potential customers or use a random number dialer, and are calling them at will, with no prior authorization to make that contact. Essentially, it is the same as the unsolicited emails that we term spam, only worse, because they usually call at the worst possible time.
Avoid Spam
You can avoid receiving spam or at, least, minimize the amount of spam you receive by paying close attention to some important details.
- Be careful about the groups that you join. Some of them are essentially fronts in order to collect contact information.
- Don’t put your email address or phone number in social media posts, online ads, chatrooms, or other newsgroups.
- Don’t give out your direct work phone number. Instead give a general number that gets filtered by the auto attendant for your business phone center.
- Share fax numbers only as needed. Faxes, while no longer a popular tool for communication, are still a favorite with spammers.
How To Avoid Being Perceived as Spam
When you communicate directly with your potential customers and customers, be sure that your communication is wanted. Unsolicited attempts to communicate with a consumer can easily have your company labeled as a spammer. Some tips will help you grow your audience list.
- Talk to potential audience members face to face and ask them to join your mailing list.
- Put easy-to-use boxes on your website and social media accounts allowing visitors to opt in to your regular communications.
- Ask your existing clientele to provide referrals. Contact those individuals once, mentioning that an existing client (that you name) has referred them. Then provide an opt-in for your email, newsletters, etc.
- Refrain from practicing robocall techniques. They are unwelcome by recipients and can easily earn you the label of spammer.
In order to avoid being perceived as a spammer, simply follow the guidelines that have been set out by the CAN-SPAM act. These guidelines can help you stay within the confines of the law and help you prevent yourself from turning into a spammer in your quest to get more people interested in what you offer.
Embrace the many useful ways automated phone systems and mass emailing can help your business, and stay away from being a spam generator.
Don’t forget, virtual phone system features such as the auto attendant can help you filter intentional callers from robocallers. Learn how by reading this article, Halloo Hint: Combat Phone Spam.