Step by Step Newsletter-SPAM complaint

Hiya,

I wanted to be proactive in writing this. It was brought to my attention that there was some skuttle butt on another list about my newsletters and harvesting emails from their group.

First off, i'd like to say that I am not a member of their group and spent about 10 minutes trying to find it with no luck. Below is what I asked the member of the group who emailed me to post, since I am not a member. I have also emailed Gary Cole privately(not wanting to promote my forum on his list) which I have never and won't do. His is the ONLY google group that I am active in, visit regularly, get emails from and read besides my forum.

I have gone through and deleted every address I could determine was part of the unhappy string, but in researching I was amazed at the number of "groups" that had subscribed themselves. I have since unsubscribed them. Thanks for your understanding.

"Dear Members of FABP,

I am very sorry that some of your members have received my step by steps newsletter unwillingly. The email program I use will unsubscribe you and not "verify" your existence as many do. I can assure you all that I did not harvest any email addresses from this group (I am not a member and didn't even know if its existence) or any other group. I have been approached by many asking why I don't post about the forum on other groups, and time and time again I tell them that this is unprofessional and will not do it.

Also, my subscribe button is on the home page of my forum and anyone can subscribe anyone without my knowing in an attempt to annoy. Once you unsubscribe through the email, you cannot be subscribed back into the list. Simply unsubscribe and you will never receive another email from me to the address in the list. Or you can email me at admin@facepaintforum.com and I will personally unsubscribe you. This email address is also listed in the newsletter.

While most of the addresses in my list are forum members or ones members recommended, I cannot guarantee (based on this string) that some weren't harvested without my knowledge from unreliable sources and this is something I will do everything I can to remedy. Again I apologize for any inconvenience my step by steps newsletter may have caused you and just ask that you give me a chance to remedy the situation.

Sincerely,
Metina"

Metina,
I'm so sorry that you have to go through this. I'm kind up po-ed that people would just assume that you are harvesting, knowing full well that it is easy to sign anyone up for anything now adays! I hope that they are being at least half as professional as you are being. I personally would've been thankful to have received such a helpful article in my email box, it's a far cry better than the viagra and cialis mailings I recieve but didn't sign up for! I suspect that some are just trying to dirty up your name because FPF has a prominent position in the search engine and the best site as far as I'm concerned.

Hang in there!

I hope you get this sorted soon Metina. We know you wouldn't do this sort of thing.
Glenda

Although I do not know what you are refering to (nor do I need to know), it sounds like a bit of H-LL. Sorry you went through this. Thanks for all you do.

I happen to also be a member of FABP. The reason you can't find it is because it is closed to the public......the group is by invitation only. So another member has to "nominate" you in order for you to be able to see the list, and you have to be approved by the moderator. This was done to protect the group from all of the "bickering" and "back-biting" that seems to happen regularly on FPHQ. People who have openly flamed others on other groups and often try to cause trouble are simply not allowed to join.
The list was also made private to prevent SPAM and online stalkers from having access to the group (unfortunately, some face painters have had stalkers following internet group postings and causing trouble).
I started receiving emails from this group also, without signing up for it.
I also just assumed that the email address was harvested fro FPHQ. I had no problems with the email itself, and decided I liked the Step-By-Step newsletter just fine and still choose to receive it.
The people who were complaining about the SPAM, were not being unprofessional, they are a VERY GOOD group (one of the best on the internet, and the group from which LaFete was founded).
The problem is that SOMEHOW, the newsletter email list Metina is using contains multiple email addresses for people on FABP who never signed up for the newsletter. Everyone receiving the newsletters without requesting them is also on FPHQ (a public forum). So it was just thought that the email addresses must have come from there. These people had just never heard of Metina or her group and thought their email addresses had been harvested. Some of the email addresses in question are not even valid adresses.....just made up addresses with the same ending website. That is a method that many spammers use when accumulating addresses, so it just looked very suspicious. I am not sure who signed up all of those email addresses? I am sure they were just trying to be helpful and send a useful newsletter to their fp friends, but I can see how many people could be annoyed by this, as it was done without their permission.
The biggest problem is that email addresses have been harvested from FPHQ a few times before for other groups, so they were very wary of it happening again.

No worries. I am pretty thick skinned and know that I did nothing wrong.

As a precation I made the subscribe link on our home page a double opt in so anyone subscribing or being subscribed will receive a verification email and I will also make sure that anyone who joins the forum knows(as long as they read my welcome message) that they will be getting the newsletter, but will only need to unsubscribe and be removed. The step by steps is a replacement for the newsletter that comes out through the forum.

If you or anyone you know wants to be taken off the newsletter list, complain or vent to me personally, please email at admin@facepaintforum.com or PM me. As always I am here to help and to promote ONLY positive energy in the face painting community.

Again, I didn't harvest or make up email address(who has the time). I unsubscribed everyone personally from the string on the other list that I could make out. I should like to point out that in researching this I found no less than 5 other google groups(@googlegroups.com) address were added, which aren't even people, but lists. I don't know how those got added and deleted them. When you have over 700 Face Book Friends, almost 500 Face Book Fans, a forum with almost 600 members and are being followed on Twitter, I guess you are bound to make a few enemies? LOL

Again my most sincere apologies to anyone who was offended by my step by steps email. It was not intended as spam, but as a way to promote other artists in the community, demonstrate some products and benefit those just starting out.

Take care all,
Metina

Way to keep up the good vibes despite a whirlwind of negativity!

I think Metina has handled everything beautifully.
I also think the double opt in should help prevent any future issues.

Just a side note that my dear husband pointed out. Some may have been offended in that they felt that they didn't need step by steps. I never thought of it this way and again, my apologies.

Trust me, it had nothing to do with that....LOL.....they love all things FP.
They are simply a little gun-shy after having been on the receiving end of SPAM from a previous "group harvesting" on another list.
No worries.

I LUV the newsletter! Keep it up!!!

I'm glad your thick skinned. I can imagine that this forum taking up a lot of your time and energy and now you there is a someone out there trying to get you into trouble. I appreciate all that you and really love this forum. Keep up the good work Metina and don't let the bad stuff get to you.

Diplomatic and professional handling of a potentially nasty situation. Way to go Metina!

Metina, I'm sorry that this is happening to you..I really appreciate all that you have done here at the FPF .love your newsletter..please continue...don't give up..May the lord bless you and protect you

I love my newsletter and was so excited to get it in my email! Thank you all for these step by step designs, as a newbie they really help out! I am so sorry you have to deal with the drama!!!

THe newsletter is a great idea and I'm sorry that this trouble came up. I think you've handled it wonderfully and just don't forget that you have the support of a bunch of us here on the forum! *hugs* Keep up the awesome work!