Spam-lurkers at networking events!

BB · #1 (**Link to this post**) 10-09-09

Ahhh… networking! What a fabulous way of meeting new people, and perhaps forming some new friendships and (dare I say it) some strategic alliances.

But my pet hate about networking events is the people who go with the intention of grabbing every business card in sight – so as to be able to build a database.

And my pet hate gets even stronger when I’m on their database and I can’t get off!

Earlier this year I attended a mega networking event. There were a lot of people (I did say it was mega) and I wasn’t able to meet everybody that attended. But I did manage to get onto a heap of databases and religiously, every week, I now have an in-box full of newsletters etc.

Some of them I’ll keep, with others I have opted out of their mailing list. But there are some that have no opt-out button on their newsletter and that’s just plain SPAM! I didn't ask to be included!

One in particular continues to send mail despite me sending several letters requesting to be removed from her list. How do I get the message across that I don’t want anything further from her? EVER!

Well this week, after yet another spam letter, I hit on a solution – I emailed my newsletter back to her. Yes, it was unsolicited! And yes, it has an ‘unsubscribe’ link! And yes! You guessed it! Less than 24 hours later – she sent me an email asking to be removed from my mailing list. (ROFLMAO)

You can just imagine my reply! I think it’s worked – I haven’t heard anything more.

If you're having similar problems and would like a copy of my response - drop me a line! I'm happy to share!

B.B.

LeelaCosgrove · #2 (**Link to this post**) 10-09-09

Oh God, I hear you BB!

On the one hand it makes me angry ... on the other, it makes me pity them ...

These are people who are clearly too shy or who don't have enough of a belief in their own value to network in a way that would behoove them ... you see this attitude ALL the time in commission only sales teams - rather than asking for the order, the scared sales person does up a "proposal" and sends an email.

They hope against hope that 3 or 4 pages of a word document will sell so that they don't have to.

Documents don't sell.

People do.

Same goes for newsletters.

FionaFell · #3 (**Link to this post**) 10-09-09

Thats a horrendous story. I feel sorry for your inbox!

Lets hope that all of the FS community can learn from it, and rush out to check if we all have 'unsubscribe' buttons on the periodic mailings we do.

KarenC · #4 (**Link to this post**) 10-09-09

I hear you BB - I have experienced the same. I almost loathe giving out my business card at functions for the same reason. We all know that is not what networking is about.

vstacy · #5 (**Link to this post**) 22-10-10

This is why I'm initiating a "four business cards maximum" policy at the little FS networking Lunch I'm starting. I'm hoping this will 1) stop lurking spammers and 2) make people VALUE their business card thus think twice about WHOM they give their business card

I generally only give out my business card when asked. I've stopped putting it on any 'trade tables' at networking events for this exact reason (afraid I'll be spammed).

I also ask people if I can add their name to any email newsletter list and since I use MailChimp they automatically have unsubscribe feature.

The Internet Bloke · #6 (**Link to this post**) 22-10-10

This is the reason I don't have my email address printed on my business cards.
I agree that many people seem to think that if they have your email address, it's an invitation to spam you.

If I want someone to have my email address, I'll write it on personally.
(Somehow, it makes them feel special! )

regards,
Eric G.

Emroy · #7 (**Link to this post**) 22-10-10

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeelaCosgrove

Oh God, I hear you BB!

On the one hand it makes me angry ... on the other, it makes me pity them ...

These are people who are clearly too shy or who don't have enough of a belief in their own value to network in a way that would behoove them ... you see this attitude ALL the time in commission only sales teams - rather than asking for the order, the scared sales person does up a "proposal" and sends an email.

They hope against hope that 3 or 4 pages of a word document will sell so that they don't have to.

Documents don't sell.

People do.

Same goes for newsletters.

Reminds me a bit of those pushy sales people who intentionally try to provoke you, so they can shove their service down your throat.

- Jake

Warren Cottis · #8 (**Link to this post**) 22-10-10

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeelaCosgrove

... you see this attitude ALL the time in commission only sales teams - rather than asking for the order, the scared sales person does up a "proposal" and sends an email.

They hope against hope that 3 or 4 pages of a word document will sell so that they don't have to.

Documents don't sell.

People do.

Same goes for newsletters.

Love your comments Leela

kbrookes · #9 (**Link to this post**) 26-10-10

One of the reasons I love gmail so much. Lifehacker recently had a great tutorial on auto-labeling all content that could possibly be a newsletter. Since you can skip the inbox entirely, it's a great method of weeding out those newsletters you can do without!

King · #10 (**Link to this post**) 26-10-10

Two points that have been overlooked:

1. Maybe you were too keen on handing out cards to anyone who would accept them, rather than handing them out for a reason

2. If you were doing 1. then the act of giving them your card was an invitation (albeit tacit) for them to open up communication with you, even if it is the unwanted kind.

It is a good tale and a great heads up, as others have alluded to.

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Spam-lurkers at networking events!