Sometimes a word can take on a life of it’s own. Spam started out as a catchy brand name for a canned meat product. Now the word Spam incites disgust when said to almost anyone with an Internet connection. Everyone gets Spam. Nobody likes Spam. Spam is taking all the fun out of the web. From a childhood snack to the scourge of legislators everywhere, Spam has come a long way.
Originally, the name SPAM was the result (by Hormel) of a naming contest in the 1930s. According to the company, the name stood for 'Shoulder of Pork and Ham'. Long a favorite of America’s kids the silly brand eventually became the subject of a legendary skit by cult comedy troupe Monty Python. "SPAM, lovely SPAM, wonderful SPAM!"
It was the Python connection that gave the word Spam cyber infamy. Spam was the term Python fans applied to the floods of email and ad posts in the early days of Usenet.
Now the word Spam can refer to almost any form of unwanted, unexpected and unsolicited advertising. While most think of Spam in relation to email, one can Spam a newsgroup, chat room or message board just as easily. As one adult webmaster message board implies with their auto-embedded titles for new posters: "I am probably spamming."
Nobody hates Spam more than an adult webmaster. No one group of professionals gets more Spam in their inboxes than do adult Internet workers. We especially hate it when we’re Spammed by our peers. Spamming hurts our industry because we are the ones that get blamed for the problem. That’s why sponsor programs and site hosts in our business have one common rule on Spam: Don’t do it.
How do you know you’re Spamming?
1. Email
Email is a great way to keep in touch with site members and vendors. Many webmasters send out newsletters and mailings informing their clients of updates and new content. This is an accepted form of email marketing because it works and it’s voluntary on the part of the recipient. When you post a newsletter signup form on your site, those who apply are considered Opt-In members. This type of email promotion is not Spam.
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Email Spam happens when you mail people that did not ask to be mailed. Some spammers collect email addresses from public sources like message boards, online white pages and domain WHOIS info. They then send out numerous emails to these unwilling recipients. This is email Spam.
A responsible email promotion will use the addresses of Opt-in clients. They will also provide a procedure to Opt-Out (unsubscribe) in each mailing. If you didn’t personally Opt-In the people on your potential mailing list, chances are, you’re probably Spamming.
2. Online
Chat rooms, web communities, message boards, FFA link pages, instant messaging programs and even search engines can be Spammed.
If you submit the same website to Google every day for a year, you’re Spamming a search engine. If you go looking for strange ICQ users online and try to sell them your product via instant message, you’re Spamming ICQ. If you introduce yourself to a message board with a post about your fabulous new service, you’re Spamming that message board.
When you build your own adult website, you can make it as Spammy as you want it to be. If you want your site to be one, big banner farm or full-page ad, that’s your right. However, when you’re on other people’s sites or in other people’s chats, have respect.
If you want to advertise on strange turf either pay for it or put it in your signature file. Don’t Spam folks on ICQ or AIM. If you want other adult webmasters to take you seriously enough to do business with then participate and contribute to discussions on industry message boards. Sell yourself and you promote your service more effectively. Give adequate contact information in your user profile or signature file.
The same goes when you’re on non-adult sites, boards or chats.
As said, adult sponsors and adult-related services forbid Spamming. If that’s not a compelling enough reason for you then think of law. Nations all over the planet are passing and enforcing anti-Spam regulations. If you’re found guilty you can be heavily fined and possible imprisoned.
Be more creative. Announce your message where the audience is receptive. Put your ads in places where ads are supposed to go. Use Opt-in lists for email. Add your sales text into your signature file. Make SPAM a food again.