Spam, or
I can send email to millions of people!

Spam. Bulk Email. Explore the myths and fallacies of this dangerous "marketing tool" — before you try it.

The Internet is a whole new world of opportunity. You can communicate with millions of people. You can market to the world. You can strike it rich and famous ... or infamous.

Many people new to the 'Net are not yet aware of its complexities, and there are certain actions that can ruin your reputation on the Web.

"SPAM" is a trademark for a meat product produced by the Hormel company. The word "spam" acquired its Web usage from a Monty Python skit in which the characters said, "Spam spam spam spam" over and over again. Why? Because it never stops.

One of them is spam.

What is spam?
Spam is unsolicited email. Not from your friends, relatives, or associates, but from total strangers offering to take your life, your income, etc., to undreamed of heights — if only you will send them your credit card information.

It's the junk mail of the Internet, but with a nasty twist.

As a website owner, you will likely be plied with hype about how using these "bulk email" techniques will improve your business. After all, as the hype from "spammers" goes, you can send email about your products and services to millions of people all over the world. The implication is that people will read it and, stunned senseless by what you offer, fall all over themselves to buy your product.

You'll be an instant millionaire!

It sounds like a great idea, but if you are a legitimate business, the answer is — "not hardly."

Why is spam a "Bad Thing"?
Unsolicited email is called spam because one gets so much of it. If you maintain an Internet connection, you're likely to get spam.

It clogs your inbox, making it difficult to find important email and forcing you to read at least part of it (just to make sure it isn't spam!).

It can be annoying. Some of it is downright frightening, like the "how to make bombs" spam I received some time ago.

And, truthfully, if spamming were an accepted marketing practice, you'd be receiving spam from just about every company on the Internet. You'd need a full-time Internet connection just to download this stuff!

The truth about spam

Spam spam Spam spam spam spam spam spam SPAM SPAM

Unscrupulous individuals may try to steer you into spamming (often using spam to do so, of course).

Millions of people. Untold wealth. Blah blah blah.

Think again. If this incredible "marketing technique" worked, they'd be using it to sell you something of real value instead of clogging your inbox, wouldn't they?

What can happen if you spam?
What spammers do not tell you is that, for all their efforts, this is what can happen:

They get nasty emails in return. Because spamming is a violation of Internet etiquette (or "Netiquette"). Truthfully, in return for your trouble, you are likely to email in return.

Very angry, insulting email.

It's called a "flame."

With the click of a button, you can ruin your company's reputation with millions of people all over the world.

People will not think your product is incredible — they'll simply think you're a spammer! And, since so many scammers use spam, you'll immediately identify your company with swindlers.

You may lose your Internet connection. Some ISPs are on the lookout for multiple emails going through their servers; if that doesn't happen, you may be reported by someone you've spammed.

You'll be contributing to slowing down the Internet.

You may get sued. In the state of Washington (United States), you can be sued for $500 per spam. And, some years back, Earthlink won a lawsuit against a notorious spammer and was awarded $2 million.

There's more, but the above is bad enough. So, the next time you get an offer to make you a millionaire overnight for $39.95, or to buy someone's "million dollar publishing company" for $140.00, think again.

One last word of caution: do not try to "unsubscribe" from a spam email. This will only confirm that your email address is valid, and you will continue to receive spam. In fact, the spammer will probably sell your email address, along with thousands of others, to other spammers.

And do not, for any reason, give a spammer or any company using a free (read: untraceable) email address your credit card number. If you look further, you may find they've also camouflaged the source of the email.

Better to toss your credit card onto the street. At least, you may get it back.

How can I promote my website on the Internet?
It's not necessary to risk spamming in order to be successful on the Web.

The "secret" is that — there is no secret!

The truth is the same as in the "brick and mortar" world — work, persistence and proper marketing. On the Web, a professional website incorporating solid marketing techniques and a good promotional strategy will get the word out there for you and your company.

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