Is Drip email spam?

[Dan Connolly]

Just wondering, am I the only one who thinks drip email is spam? I believe in staying in contact with a client but sending the same message to hundreds of leads? It's spam! Right?

[Malok]

If its information that they want/requested, then I consider it to be more of a new age mass mailing, rather than spam.

I view spam as unsolicited and/or unwanted marketing in bulk.

[Ryan Ward]

I'm sort of with Malok on this.

It can be, but, it doesn't have to be.

Here's a hypothetical and you tell me if you think this is spam:

I get an email saying someone has registered for features on my website and I go check to see what they have and they have saved three homes as favorites.

At this point I send a personal email to them saying something to the effect that if they would like any additional info on those three properties to call me or email me....The email is contained in some good looking stationery that is basically the header from my website, 3 hyperlinks, the personal text I wrote and a footer that says click here to unsubscribe.

I get nothing back from them, but notice that they have deleted one of the homes after a few days. Clearly this person is usung the website.

If I put this person on a drip email campaign at set intervals: 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 week, 2 weeks, 2 weeks, 2 weeks,k 1 week, 1 week. This lasts for three months.

This is eight opportunities to be in front of them. If they are all different, helpful, give them a way to unsubscribe, look good and are on topic, I don't think it's spam.

To do this you have to have seperate drip emails for saved searches, favorite homes, straight up registrations (if you require registration), etc...

Otherwise, if you have 3 stinkin' emails that you send out to everyone - all the time - that could be spam.

JMO

[Fort Lauderdale]

Agree here too. Usually the very interested email back from the first one. A good majority finally contact me by the 3rd or 4th

[Dan Connolly]

Well I am sure it works to a certain extent, but that doesn't mean its not spam. To my way of thinking any unsolicited email is spam. If they agree to be on a email program, that would make it okay but just because someone is using my search tools doesn't seem to be enough of a reason. I guess I am sensitive to it because I get so much spam myself. If someone asks to be notified when something comes on the market, or if they could subscribe to email reports I would do it but unless I have their agreement I think it isn't much different from getting bombarded with perscription medicine spam because I look at web MD dot com.

[Mouse]

I agree. You should give the user an opportunity to opt-in or out for emails regardless if they sign up for features on a website.

[Homesurfer]

A true drip campaign is, by definition, spam. Mostly. I think.

Drip campaigns are targeted toward specific individuals who fit your target market, are not yet prospects, but may become prospects as a result of the unsolicited ad campaign.

Once someone has indicated interest but has not yet become a client - and you have qualified them -- they become a prospect. If they "opt in" and you are maintaining contact with them via regular emails or whatever, it isn't really spam.

Although they should have the ability to opt out, too.

[Bigtoe]

I drip them with new listings. They came looking for real estate so I send them real estate. No self promotion, just real estate.

I end up helping a lot of other agents who don't know how to do it.

[RonnieG]

The definition of spam is subjective. In my privacy policy and terms of use. I tell website users that if they register on my site, they will get automated emails (drip campaigns) that are intended to help them with their real estate needs, and that they can unsubscribe at any time. Few do. Officially, in the US, the CAN-SPAM act defines what you must do to be considered legitimate bulk emailer, which includes ability to opt out. Rules in other countries may require opt-in.