So, I have literally hundreds of business cards that I’ve collected from my time at matchmine. And since I’m now doing both freelance and contract work, I’m wondering what’s the best way to use my contacts. Here’s a thought I had:
Given the fact that I HATE getting spammy, list-like emails from people and companies, I don’t want to just add everyone’s name to Plaxo and enter them as contacts. I’d also love to be able to create a database of people I’ve met (you can see the inherent conflict here, right?). So, I was thinking about putting together one huge contact list with everyone on the pile of biz cards I have. Then, I’d send out one email that says the following:
Hi. I’m Nathan Burke.
You’re getting this email once and exactly once because I have your business card. As the web community evangelist for matchmine, I met you. Most likely I met you at Podcamp Boston or the Web 2.0 Expo in New York. Now that matchmine has closed its doors, I’m trying to pull together a list of people that wouldn’t mind getting emails from me periodically.So, instead of asking you to reply and let me know if you DON’T want to be on my list, I thought I’d do it the other way. If you’re someone that wants to stay in touch with me, please reply and let me know that. Otherwise, I promise: I won’t send you email again at this address.
Like everyone else, I hate getting spammy emails, and I don’t want to be that guy. But I really do want to stay in touch with people that I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and talk to at the various events I attended over the last few years.
So, if you want to stay in touch, feel free to email me back and I’ll put you in my address book. I’m not planning on sending out a newsletter of any type or anything like that, but I definitely want permission from anyone that ends up in my contact list.
Thanks so much.
-Nathan
http://blogstring.com
http://www.nathanwburke.com
nathan.burke@gmail.com
What do you think? Is this the way to go, or will people hate the fact that I’m sending them a big bulk email regardless of the fact that I have their business card? I’d love to hear any suggestions. Thank you!
