My personal email account has 197 unread messages in the inbox. Some are political in nature, not surprising during an election year and considering that political messages are exempt from CAN-SPAM. But the real problem? Email messaging campaigns gone amuck.

It started out when I’d signed up for a few email lists from just a couple of businesses I tended to frequent regularly, to get information about the latest product or sales promotion. Next, I agreed to receive messages from Web site communities on which I participated. Then over the last year, I’ve subscribed to email campaigns from almost every retailer who offered me the chance during check-out at their bricks-and-mortar locations. Now, I almost regret it.

It’s not that I no longer believe in the value of email campaigns but rather that some of these marketers haven’t gotten a handle on email best practices. I’m still interested in all these brands for which I’d signed up to receive more information. I’m just not as interested in getting all of that information.

(more…)