EmailFinder Best Practices

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Jean McCoy
Jean McCoy
Tenth Anniversary 10 Comments Photogenic 5 Likes
in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: General Discussion
I received and downloaded the email addresses from Raiser's Edge EmailFinder.  It is suggested that I send an opt-in email.  Two questions.  First if they didn't opt-out when RE sent me the email addresses than why do I HAVE to send an opt-in email?  Second, if I do send the opt-in email, what do I do if get NO ANSWER?  Are they considered opted in?  Thanks.
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  • Dale Anania
    Dale Anania
    Ancient Membership 25 Likes 10 Comments Photogenic
    Hi Jean,

    First, I suggest checking to see if your organization has an email policy - if not, one should be created.


    I don't know how RE got those emails, but it certainly doesn't mean the donor is interested in getting your emails. However, having an opt-in policy can be tough, as most are not going to opt-in from your email.  I am assuming these are emails of your supporters, so I would send a 3-part email Welcome Series letting them know you think they want to hear from you due to their relationship with you -- but have a prominent* opt-out button right there so they don't feel spammed. Your Welcome Series can focus on how getting your e-communications benefits the supporter, not on how great your org is.


    This opt-out approach means they do not need to do anything if they are willing to hear from you, but can easily opt out if they are not interested. 

    *all emails should have an opt-out link at the bottom, but those can be pretty small 

     
  • Linda Allen
    Linda Allen
    Tenth Anniversary 10 Comments Photogenic 5 Likes

    We did this several years ago and here is what I have discovered. For many of the emails you can't tell who in the household it belongs to some are obvious its the child at a university others are not. BB did send an email giving the option to opt out but without them opting in they can't use your unsubscribe option later because technically they never subscribed and because they are already receiving emails most have not chosen to set up an account.


    The plus side is we are getting the word out to many the down side we don't know for sure if they are the person we think they are.


    Good luck I'm sure the system is more sophisticated today than when we did it.

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