Email Permission Guidelines

Why do I need permission?

Sending people unsolicited email or SMS messages, commercial or otherwise, is against the law in many countries worldwide. Besides that, wouldn't you rather be talking to people who you know are interested in what you have to say?

Who can I send email or SMS messages to?

• People who have specifically signed up through your website.
  For example, by ticking a checkbox (not checked by default) on your signup or sales form.
• People who completed offline forms & indicated they wanted to be contacted.
  Eg: By filling in a competition or survey form where they specifically agree to receive email or SMS text messaging.
• People who gave you their business card and asked to receive communications.
  If someone gives you their business card and you have also explained to them that you will be in touch, you can contact them.
• They purchased something off you in the last 2 years.
  By making a purchase from you they have provided their permission implicitly, although it is much better to explicitly ask them.

Who can't I send email or SMS messages to?

Anybody that is not covered by the list above! Here are some examples:

• Lists, email addresses or telephone numbers received from a third party
  Includes any list you bought or rented, got from a partner or membership organization. No matter the claims of the source of this list, you cannot send email to them.
• Addresses or numbers you collected or "copy & pasted" from the Internet
  Even if they look like ideal customers for you, you can't email someone just because you found their address.
• Addresses or numbers you haven't communicated to within the last 2 years
  Permission doesn't age well. Even if you got their permission legitimately they won't remember giving it to you. If you haven't sent something to that address or number in the last 2 years, you can't start now.