HTML Email Template Tips: Following the CAN-SPAM Act

It is very important that every email marketer follows the CAN-SPAM act when it comes to HTML email templates. Failure to comply with this act will result in huge fines and penalties. To avoid being fined, take a look at some tips for following the CAN-SPAM act.

Do not take random email addresses from different websites and use them for your mailing list. Keep in mind that even if you hire someone who unlawfully gets you email addresses, you are the one who is responsible for this act, as you are the one in charge of the email marketing campaign.

As per the CAN-SPAM act, everyone who is part of an email marketing list must be given the option to opt-out of the list as soon as and whenever they wish to be removed from the list. This means it is imperative that every person who receives your emails is able to remove themselves form your mailing list quickly and conveniently with maximum ease.

The CAN-SPAM act states that you, as an email marketer cannot claim ignorance if you buy or hire an inexpensive email marketing list. This also applies to you joining ‘safe lists’ that at some future date turn out to be lists comprising of subscribers who did not opt in. it is the email marketers duty to ensure that they are buying their lists from a reputable source. It is entirely their responsibility to be aware of the costs of legitimate emails lists so as to not get taken in by dubious sources leading to the purchase of illegal email addresses.

Although the CAN-SPAM act places a number of restrictions when it comes to email list building for your email templates, there are still lots of ways to set up a legal email marketing list by following the act. To create an effective list, take a look at the following tips:

1. Make sure that you place opt-in forms on your website. These opt-in forms make it possible for visitors to subscribe. This is also in compliance with the rules of the CAN-SPAM act so it is the best way to go about getting your subscribers to opt in.
   
2. Provide opt in email marketing subscriptions in offline mode such as via response cards in client campaigns of the direct mail type. In this way too, you will be following the regulations of the act.
   
3. Provide customers with a quick way to opt-in to an email list subscription by giving them the option to subscribe during the ordering process. This also increases the chances of the customer deciding to opt in and is CAN-SPAM act compliant.
   
4. Offer subscribers incentives such as free coupons and e-books to motivate them to subscribe to your email list. This tip is also in accordance to the act.
   
   

As you can see, though the CAN-SPAM act does place certain restrictions, there are a number of ways to get the response you desire even if you follow the rules. So make sure you pay attention to these tips and follow the CAN-SPAM act.