So you’ve got a great product that’s finally ready for the market. For every product that one person has, there are probably three or four just like it on the market – and those are just the established products. This is why direct email marketing is so important, so let’s talk more about it. You may be temped to turn to direct email marketing but before you do, consider a few facts.

Direct email marketing involves composing an advertisement for a specific product and then emailing that advertisement out to people. However, not many realize that this practice is actually illegal. A business owner will often compose a special advertisement that links back to a website where their product is sold and then send it to many different email addresses hoping to interest someone. Doing this is actually illegal in several states, Washington and Virginia among them, and you can be sued in small claims civil court for sending out this unsolicited mail.

And that’s not the only recourse that someone has if they decide that they are being harassed. Often, they will complain to their Internet Service Provider, which will usually do an investigation. That Internet Service Provider can then usually trace the spam message back to your website and, if you are on their server, shut the website down. Some Internet Service Providers will even go so far as to fine you anywhere from $20 to $20,000 depending on their Terms of Service.

It is possible to use direct email marketing without resorting to spam, however. Large and small companies alike will often get contact information, including email addresses, from their customers are they make a purchase. They will then take those email addresses and send those customers new information about products or even special offers. This is actually a very successful business practice that often results in increased sales for the company.

Before you decide to start using direct email marketing, consider all the facts. You have to consider if it’s worth possibly having your product website shut down. Is it worth the huge fine? And above all, be respectful in all of your business practices so you can avoid situations like this.