Do you get SPAM-A-LOT?

Have you ever received an e-mail and wondered how in the world you got on that mailing list? I have. It is annoying. I am sure that at times e-mails from any business can be an annoyance, including the chamber….Yes, we know we send out lots of e-mails to you, but it is only because we want you to be able to get the most out of your chamber membership.
My problem is not the number of e-mails received, it is receiving e-mails that I don’t want nor know how to stop receiving. In 2010, the Chamber signed up for a service called Constant Contact, a web-based company that assists in e-mail marketing. The benefits of this service are numerous….

Constant Contact allows you to (1) keep an up to date database of e-mail contacts, (2) view who is opening your e-mails,(3) who is clicking any links on them, and (4)check who is forwarding them to others. Constant Contact offers easy templates that allow you to create nice looking e-mails (I have to admit it took a bit of time for me to figure out how to remain creative while using these templates, but it’s possible.)

All the above benefits are worth signing up for Constant Contact, but the most important is the fact they help keep our e-mails LEGAL. There are so many people/companies out there who are sending e-mails that don’t fall in line with the federal CAN-SPAM Act. This Act sets rules for commercial e-mail use including: Don’t use false or misleading header information; Don’t use deceptive subject lines; Identify the message as an ad; Tell recipients where you’re located; Tell recipients how to opt out of receiving future e-mail from you; and Honor opt-out requests promptly.

I don’t want to beat anyone over the head with legalities on this blog, so if you want more information, click the link below for everything you need to know about CAN-SPAM.

http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus61-can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business 

Now here is my added extra plug for Constant Contact….this company is so great, they are offering a discount to any Valpo Chamber member if you sign up….and you thought you had to have an American Express Card to have privileges.

If after reading this e-mail you would like information on signing up for Constant Contact, visit www.constantcontact.com/chambermembers.

Kurt Gillins
Programs Director
kgillins@valparaisochamber.org

 

Who do you know that has a business and is NOT a Chamber member?

But they should be!?

Invite them to the second annual Member/Guest event on Thursday, September 22 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. This is a FREE event to all members bringing a guest. We will serve cocktails and appetizers upstairs at the chamber office. Nonmembers will have an opportunity to learn a little bit more about the Valpo Chamber, in a casual, social environment.

The 2010 debut of this event was fun.

“Last year Methodist Hospitals attended the Member/Chamber Guest Event, and decided to become a Valparaiso Chamber member,” commented Evelyn Morrison, Marketing & Corporate Communications Manager, Methodist Hospitals. “I was very impressed by the number of businesses that belong to the Chamber and the number of other programs they offer to their members. We are delighted to be a part of the Valpo Chamber.”

The 2010 event was attended by about 50 people. Eight attendees won door prizes, and one lucky nonmember won a $100 certificate to apply to a chamber membership.

Please consider coming out for another great Member/Guest event this year. Contact Danielle Oeding for more information, or to RSVP for the event.

Danielle Oeding
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
oeding@valparaisochamber.org