How to Correctly Send Emails

Okay, now you've read all about spam. You should now how a crystal clear idea of what spam is and what it is not. Now an additional question begs to be asked - how to you send bulk email without it being spam?

Here are some things that you need to do if you want to send out commercial emails.

Always provide a simple means for your subscribers to remove themselves from your list. The simpler the better. In our newsletter, we include these instructions at the top and the bottom.
Don't send to "undisclosedlist" or anything like that. Instead, use a mailing list system (such as Bravenet) which sends each email directly to each email address. This is much more personal and gives your messages a better "feel".
Clearly identify yourself and the purpose of the email.
Never use anything like "this is not spam" or any other phrase commonly used by spammers.
Do not purchase email lists from anyone. Instead, use services (again such as Bravenet) which allow people to opt-in.
Do not harvest email addresses at all. This includes:
- Special spiders or robots which get email addresses from web sites.
- Obtaining email addresses from other newsletters.
Do not use email addresses harvested from FFA services.
Be sure that everywhere on your website where you obtain an email address it's purpose is clearly and completely described. Also thoroughly describe your email policies in your privacy page (you do have a privacy page, don't you?).
Never share your email lists with anyone else, unless permission has been explicitly obtained from your subscribers. Even then, I would not do so.
If possible, use an email service which requires your subscribers to validate their email addresses by sending an email to them first. This adds a step to the subscribing process, but it makes it completely clear that a person has requested your newsletter or other email subscription.
Don't send from free email providers like Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and MSN mail (and the hundreds of other, similar providers).