VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: Is it OK to harvest emails?

So here's been my process thus far for getting contacts:

1) Troll the internet for marketing, advertising, and video production houses.
2) Email them to see if they will accept my reel
3) Add them to my database.

I've got a database of over 600 people that I've contacted with about 100 who said they would accept CDs.

So my question is, is it legal/ethical/appropriate to add those emails to an email list even though they didn't opt-in? Whatabout those who never responded?
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

scottnilsen · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject:

That's exactly what I have been doing. I only send one if they say they want one, and if they tell me know, I keep a seperate database so I don't try to contact them again.
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We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well, that and mimes.

(714)408-6405 www.scottnilsen.com

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

right, I have flags in my database that I enable for those who say no or who are interested but will just bookmark my URL. But if I move to Constant Contact or some other email service, is it OK if I add the emails of people who have my reels?

They never opted in for that.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

scottnilsen · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject:

I don't use Constant Contact...I need to do something like that, though.

As for adding them to your list or not, if they've accepted my demo, I do. I send out something by email about once a quarter or so, and in the subject line, I'll just say it's an update from me, etc - so they can see what it is before they decide to open it. I haven't had anyone ask to not get my updates, but I would stop if they wanted me to, of course.
_________________
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well, that and mimes.

(714)408-6405 www.scottnilsen.com

bobfromboulder · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject:

If nothing else, it's good CYA to keep a list of the ones who say 'no' - it'll prove you do due diligence when it comes to keeping track of responses.

The ones who never respond, you just don't know about. If you've got the above list, keep trying them until you get a response. As long as you can show that you keep track of responses they don't have much of leg to stand on if they complain. As long as you're not trying to contact them hourly. :D

scottnilsen · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject:

If I don't get a response, I have been taking that as a "No."
_________________
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well, that and mimes.

(714)408-6405 www.scottnilsen.com

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject:

scottnilsen · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject:

I have been thinking about keeping track of all that I sent out to, even the ones I don't hear back from. I'll have to start that now.
The thing is, I've built my database the same way you have, and while I've sent out probably 600-700 demos, there are hundreds more I've not heard back from. Can't go back, so I guess I'll start now.
_________________
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well, that and mimes.

(714)408-6405 www.scottnilsen.com

mcm · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject:

Scott, I have had cases of over 2 years of non-response turning into gigs. Non response can mean any number of things, only one of which is No.

scottnilsen · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject:

That's pretty cool, mcm. Encouraging, too.
_________________
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well, that and mimes.

(714)408-6405 www.scottnilsen.com

todd ellis · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject:

add me to that list. (no pun intended) "no response" only means that i haven't given you enough information to say "yes" yet.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
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Deirdre · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:34 pm Post subject:

It took me 5 years to get the job I have at CBS.

5 years of "don't need anyone" or silence to finally "can we call you to fill in?" to (2 weeks later) "would you like a position?"
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anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

db's right. A "no" is only a "no" when it's a "no." And even THEN, it's probably temporary.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject:

So after all that: Yes It's OK to harvest emails? or no?
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

scottnilsen · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject:

yes
_________________
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Well, that and mimes.

(714)408-6405 www.scottnilsen.com