My email has been become increasingly cluttered with newsletters that I didn’t subscribe to. Most of them are from sales companies; companies that sell sales training, seminars, products and services.  I’m not sure how most of these companies got my email. I’m not surprised they did, I’m pretty accessible and out there.  To steel a phrase from Brad Feld, I’m social media promiscuous.   But to me it doesn’t matter if I’m out there and my email is easy to find or not.  It shouldn’t make a difference when it comes to spamming me. I didn’t opt in.

I don’t consider these emails spam in the true sense of the word.  The companies clearly know who I am.  They are sending sales oriented information.  The info is in my wheelhouse.  Everyone once in a while I actually read some of it and find something I like.  That being said, it doesn’t make it right.  I didn’t ask to have my inbox cluttered.

I’m pretty open on this site.  I respond to my email.  I engage with users in the comments.  I am active and responsive on Twitter.  Getting to me isn’t that difficult. Knowing this, if you want me to read your newsletter, just ask me.  Don’t bypass my choice.  Don’t make the decision for me. It’s rude.

Just because social media makes me more accessible, doesn’t mean I am relinquishing my right to choose.  I’m unsubscribing to all of them today.  It’s a pain in the ass. It’s taking time away from what I need to be doing. I don’t like that I’ve been put in this position.

Marketers, it’s great you found me.  Now, ask if I want to hear from you.  It’s not that hard.