RE: $1 per new subscriber (Follow-up)

[Christian F. Masse (myfirstbillion.com)]

Hello,
$
I wrote:
<<PostMasterDirect does two things (among many):
1. They send e-mail ads to people who voluntarily agreed to receive e-mail
ads. (I DO NOT FAVOR THAT.)>>
$
The reason I do not favor that is that, usually, the e-mail receiver IS
TRICKED into accepting these e-mailed ads. Go at the bottom of
http://freetrials.netcreations.com and you will see that the form makes the
one who wants the free trials believe that HE HAS to respond to all of the
questions in order to get the free trials. THAT IS WHAT IS STATED AT THE
BEGINNING OF THE FORM, WITH AN IMPERATIVE MOOD AND AN EXCLAMATION POINT!
Later, at the bottom of the page, the fact that answering the additional
questions on one's preferences is optional is buried somewhere. It is not
UNEQUIVOCALLY AND CLEARLY STATED for the average Joe and Jane's attention
span. Thus, these opt-in e-mailed ads are only opted-in due to a lack of
comprehension of the terms of service -an antique trick used by unethical
marketers.
$
But, let's not forget why I created this thread:
$
<<2. They have a highly visited page, at NetCreations, where publishers
(like US News) propose FREE subscription trial to folks. NetCreations pay
webmasters to link to this page. Publishers who get new subscribers pay $1
per subscribtion.>>
$
Required reading:
> http://www.searchz.com/wmo/050198.shtml
> http://www.searchz.com/wmo/050898.shtml
> http://www.searchz.com/wmo/051498.shtml
> http://www.postmasterdirect.com/per-inquiry
$
Do you think, YES OR NO, that it is a good idea to outsource the marketing
of my newsletter? Do you think it is economically viable and Net ethical, to
BUY e-mail addresses of people who want to test my publication? Thanks!
Christian.
$
1998-10-01: http://myfirstbillion.com/ = the trade secrets of a killer
Internet start-up!