It's Not Right But, It's (Not) OK
February 08, 2010
by Guest Blogger, Lena West, Chief of Social Media Strategy at xynoMedia
(Another blog title ripped from a songstress...)
It would appear that with the social media craziness, some of us have lost our minds when it comes to basic Internet marketing common sense. So, as a reminder, it is absolutely NOT acceptable - under ANY circumstances - to share people's contact information or add them to your mailing list without their permission. Period.
I was recently invited to what appeared to be a very interesting (read: different) local networking event. Normally, I'm not a "networking event" type woman, but the invite came from a reputable source and I decided to stop being such a stick in the mud and RSVP.
Although I RSVP'd after the event was sold out, I appreciated the event coordinator's effort to make sure I "got in" based on the person's name I put in the referral field when I registered. (It's still all about who you know, folks.)
A few days later, I was asked to submit...
...a list of topics I'd be interested in learning more about. I had no idea how this information would be used, but again I was trusting the source of the connection (this is why you have to be extra careful when people refer you to someone - you're trading on that person's name!). I submitted my information and the next day I started receiving solicitations from vendors that were set to be at the upcoming event.
The good news was they were matched to the interests that I selected. The bad news was I didn't know these women from Eve. How could they possibly know me?
Ahhh, "Evelyn Event" must have shared not just my contact information, but my interests, too!
When I sent "Evelyn" a note that said it would have been nice to know that my contact information would be shared with the vendors, I was sent a scathing reply which stated that "Evelyn" had gone through her rolodex to put this great event together for free. This was going to be the networking event to kick off the year and women were going to make great connections that were going to be fruitful for all involved. Blah blah blah blah blah.
Who cares???
The fact is, you shared my contact information AND information about me - which is illegal. And, if I really wanted to be a...well, I won't go there. And, when I asked her about it, she sent a greasy-gram. Wow.
On the day of the event, I got tied up in a client meeting in NYC so I couldn't attend. You would think I would be happy about that, but I wasn't. I really wanted to see how this shindig turned out -- and I DO mean shindig.
Oh Lena, when will you learn that, in every instance when it matters, you get what you pay for?
@Mary:
You are so smart. I normally don't go to events like this one, but it came from such a reputable source. *sigh*
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Posted by: @LenaWest | February 12, 2010 at 08:30 PM
Sigh. Been there done that. That's why I don't go to most of the "events of the year" put on for "high-powered" women. No, I really don't need any vitamins, baskets, make-up, "fun" sexual aids or life coaching.
Posted by: Mary Schmidt | February 12, 2010 at 11:18 AM