Marketing ethics question.

Some local record label sent out an email to all their contacts, including myself, but didn't use the BCC field to send it - so I basically now have contact details for a shitload of local and national music press and PR people, promoters, bands and musicians.

I'm putting an album out in the summer through a small label. I'm extremely tempted to do a single mailout to advertise it using mailchimp. Would that be a bad idea? I don't think it'd piss me off - you can unsubscribe to the list and that'd be that, but would you make a mental note to never work with me again? Would it be best to use these emails to speak to people one-to-one before the release, give them a freebie download or something? I clearly have no idea how these things work.

  On 3/14/2016 at 12:26 PM, Mesh Gear Fox said:

don't do it!

I was hoping someone wouldn't say that. Boooo.

Remember how a bunch of members on here got really mad when Grant used the email list of everyone who purchased something at rephlex.com to inform them about the colundi kickstarter? That might help in making your decision :)

Don't send unsolicited shit to people etc etc

Don't do it (but you're going to do it anyway...)

Yeah, guess so

If it makes any diff, a lot of those emails are publiclly available on websites etc - so you know, it wouldn't be obvious I was hijacking a mailing list?

The answer's still no innit?

  On 3/14/2016 at 12:43 PM, Herr Jan said:

Remember how a bunch of members on here got really mad when Grant used the email list of everyone who purchased something at rephlex.com to inform them about the colundi kickstarter? That might help in making your decision :)

Ah, I see. I guess I don't get as would up about unsolicited emails as others, because I'm a digital marketing dick by trade.

IMO no matter how you work it, unsolicited marketing tends to just rub people the wrong way.

Just dont

Just dont

Don't!

If you have contacts for press, reviewers, etc., they typically ask for submissions, so usually no harm in sending stuff to them.

leak the list in here :D

  On 3/14/2016 at 2:40 PM, paranerd said:

If you have contacts for press, reviewers, etc., they typically ask for submissions, so usually no harm in sending stuff to them.

I like this guy.

feel free to send stuff but don't expect any reception to it. think about the junk you get sent to you which you ignore... now imagine being them and getting 100 times as much.

  On 3/14/2016 at 3:15 PM, QQQ said:

feel free to send stuff but don't expect any reception to it. think about the junk you get sent to you which you ignore... now imagine being them and getting 100 times as much.

True, most people ignore my well-crafted personal emails so I guess this would be no different.

There is nothing ethical about marketing so if you have no soul go for it.

Otherwise its a very bad idea.

Echoing what Herr Jan said - Don't do it. Quickfire way to kill any potential respect for you or your music.

  On 3/14/2016 at 4:57 PM, Joyrex said:

Echoing what Herr Jan said - Don't do it. Quickfire way to kill any potential respect for you or your music.

A mass email to everyone and anyone is always bad. Brief, to the point, personally written email is usually fine. Weird Canada has some good write-ups on what is the best way to tackle these issues:

https://weirdcanada.com/2015/01/how-to-communicate-with-media-about-your-music/

Thanks folks, I begrudgingly accept the majority opinion on this - despite my inner marketing dickhead telling me to go for it.

  On 3/14/2016 at 5:56 PM, westhead said:

Thanks folks, I begrudgingly accept the majority opinion on this - despite my inner marketing dickhead telling me to go for it.

Don't you fucking dare send that email. You will regret it!

  On 3/14/2016 at 4:17 PM, Entorwellian said:

There is nothing ethical about marketing so if you have no soul go for it.

Otherwise its a very bad idea.

yeah you can't even use the word ethics when discussing marketing.

Be a fucking snake. It's how you make it in this world m8

  On 3/14/2016 at 5:02 PM, paranerd said:

 

  On 3/14/2016 at 4:57 PM, Joyrex said:

Echoing what Herr Jan said - Don't do it. Quickfire way to kill any potential respect for you or your music.

 

A mass email to everyone and anyone is always bad. Brief, to the point, personally written email is usually fine. Weird Canada has some good write-ups on what is the best way to tackle these issues:

https://weirdcanada.com/2015/01/how-to-communicate-with-media-about-your-music/

This is a really, really useful article, thanks. I never know how to pitch an email, I'm so ashamed of stuff I've sent in the past:

http://whyideletedyourpromoemail.tumblr.com

  On 3/14/2016 at 7:09 PM, AdieuErsatzEnnui said:

 

  On 3/14/2016 at 4:17 PM, Entorwellian said:

There is nothing ethical about marketing so if you have no soul go for it.

Otherwise its a very bad idea.

 

yeah you can't even use the word ethics when discussing marketing.

 

Be a fucking snake. It's how you make it in this world m8

I bet Kanye wouldn't have asked for advice on a music forum.

I'm not saying I'm as good as Kanye btw. That's for you to decide.

Have your team of Nigerian associates make urgent confidential business proposals asap.

Ask Cruz' team to do some robocalls for you. Maybe you can win a state or two!