Never Spam Addresses in the To: Field

Many think that by having all their contact’s e-mail addresses displayed in the To: field (particularly folks who do not know each other) is no big deal.

One of the top questions that I get asked about almost on a daily basis is if it is “O.K.” to e-mail those addresses in the To: field about a new business or commercial enterprise. The answer is a resounding NO! Can you say Spam?

I get forwards from business associates all day long who add me to their list and send along non-business related, touchy-feeling and emotionally charged political forwards. Because all those addresses are visible to me in no way gives me tacit permission to e-mail them about my services.

Even if you are simply responding to a controversial or emotional topic that you were included on by having your e-mail address included in the To: field, (stay away from that Reply to All button) doesn’t mean that those who don’t know you want to hear your opinion. Believe me — they don’t!

It’s simple… If you don’t know the person behind the e-mail address, you don’t e-mail them. If you are going to e-mail anyone, you e-mail the original sender who breached their contact’s privacy by exposing them to strangers. Rather than put everyone in the To: field they should have all been listed in the BCc: field.

So it is clear, this is not an issue of time or being lazy. It is a matter of understanding the technology that you are using to treat those who trust you with their e-mail address with consideration for their privacy.

And, don’t be surprised if those irresponsible forwarders get nasty or turn into their evil-twin because you try to point out the errs of their ways. When that happens, send them to this article on my main E-mail Etiquette site:
Irresponsible E-mail Forwarders Exposed!

Some More Info for You:

1. E-mailing Visible Addresses is Not O.K.
2. Copying Email Addresses: Invasion of Privacy?
3. Don’t Brush Off Email Privacy
4. Be Leery of Links in E-mail
5. Business & E-mail Address Privacy