Have you ever received an email from a business you hadn’t heard of, with a seemingly unbelievable offer that you can’t ignore? If so, you’re part of a growing group experiencing a problem that’s been called “email marketing narcissism.”
This is a problem that’s been created by inconsiderate marketers who think that just because you’re receiving their emails you should open them all. In the same way that you might visit a coffee shop in the morning and buy a cup as you’re driving to work, these email marketers are treating you like a cup of coffee – a quick pick-me-up to get you through the day – and they’re expecting you to immediately buy what they’re selling.
This is a problem because – as we’ve established – you haven’t heard of most of these businesses, and the ones you have heard of don’t usually offer a cup of coffee. In fact, over 40% of B2C (Business to Consumer) companies get over 50% of their revenue from online marketing, proving the effectiveness of this method.
So what exactly is email marketing narcissism, and how is it preventing effective, legitimate email marketing?
Why Do I Need To Know About These Companies?
The answer is quite simple: because they want you to know about their product. That’s it. They don’t care about your coffee preferences, and it’s likely that they don’t even personally like coffee. They want you to know about their product because they think that you’ll like it and think it’s worth buying. In fact, that’s the primary goal of every email marketing campaign: to make the recipient act or think in a certain way about the brand or company who sent the email.
If you receive an email offering you a great discount on an unknown product, that’s unlikely to be a sign that the sender wants to become your best friend – that’s why they’re offering the discount in the first place. Similarly, when a brand or company tries to get you to visit their site through email, the goal isn’t to become a friend – it’s to convince you to buy their product. The more you know about the company, the more likely you are to be convinced of their credibility and the value of what they’re selling.
What Should I Do About This?
As mentioned above, the goal of every email marketing campaign is to make the recipient act or think in a certain way about the brand or company who sent the email. This is why you need to be careful about opening every email you receive, even if it’s from a trusted source. Especially if it’s from a trusted source: it’s because they want to influence your actions, which is a form of psychological manipulation. That’s not a good thing, especially if you don’t agree with their views or their way of doing business. You shouldn’t be fooled by a well-crafted marketing email, because they’re trying to pull you into their world – a world that probably doesn’t include coffee.
If a brand or company is trying to manipulate you or influence your decisions without your knowledge, that’s a red flag. You should always consider the source, because someone who isn’t being open and honest is usually not someone you want to do business with. Email marketers who think that just because you’re receiving their emails that you should open them all are guilty of this. If you find yourself clicking on a URL in an email just to discover that it’s a fake or a hoax, don’t do it. This type of behavior is how scammers operate and how they attempt to con people. It’s extremely easy for them to do, because the more they can get people to interact with their websites or emails, the more opportunities they have to get people to fall victim to their schemes. They’ll often pose as a business or organization that’s seeking to do good in the world, but their true goal is to just extract money from you. Keep your guard up, and don’t let yourself be fooled.
The Danger Of Giving Too Much Information
On the subject of deception and trickery, it’s important to keep in mind that too much information can be just as deceptive. If you open an email and the first thing you see is an embedded link to a website, and you haven’t given much thought to who you’re dealing with, you could end up on a phishing site that looks just like the real thing. This isn’t something that happens often, but it does happen. The key thing is to be suspicious of any email that seems overly aggressive or asks for too much information without being genuine.
If you get an email offering you a free sample of an unknown product, you’ll probably be tempted to click the link and see what it is. Don’t do it: if you’ve never heard of this company or product, there’s no need to visit their site and expose yourself to risk. The same goes for a URL that seems suspiciously similar to a known brand’s website or for an email that asks for information that shouldn’t be shared just to get in touch – be suspicious.
The Rise In Online Scams
In today’s digital world, scams and deception have always been a problem, but the way in which we communicate – especially via digital channels – makes it easier for scammers to prey on the vulnerable. When a company or individual attempts to scam or defraud you, the first thing they usually ask for is your personal information. This can range from your social security number to your credit card details. Once they have this information, they can continue to manipulate you with emails and digital messages, which makes it that little bit harder for those who want to stand up to the scammers and fight back. So if you do end up on a dodgy website, the last thing you need is your personal information stolen or used by hackers.
These problems are very real, but they’re also very solvable. We need to be more vigilant about where and how we give out our personal information, especially online. It’s also essential that when we encounter a website or email that seems unfamiliar, suspicious, or threatening, that we contact the relevant authorities straightaway.
If you’re getting frustrated that you can’t seem to fight back against email marketers who behave narcissistically, you’re not alone. We wanted to help by providing some practical advice on how to deal with this issue, as well as some solutions. So if you’ve been tricked or confused by an email that seems too good to be true, here’s what you should do:
Respond To The Email
If you do decide to reply to the email, do so in a respectful and neutral manner. It’s important not to give the email vendor the satisfaction of having gotten under your skin, even if it’s just for a few words in response. Remember, the goal of the email was to get you to reply, so they can get your personal information. Replying in a respectful manner prevents this.
Report The Email To The Authorities
If you’ve been tricked or confused by an email that seems too good to be true, the first thing you should do is report it to the authorities. This might mean contacting your local police department or filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. While you’re not obligated to pursue this further, it’s important to keep in mind that these are the two most common ways scammers and con artists operate. By bringing this to the attention of the authorities, you’re helping to protect other people from being victims of the same crime – a potentially dangerous crime, but one that we as a society have decided is worthwhile combating.
Don’t Be Fooled By Pretty URLs
One of the ways in which scammers try to trick people is by using sneaky or deceptive URLs. When you visit a website or follow a link in an email, it usually doesn’t take long for you to find out that the page you’re on isn’t what it seems to be. This is because the URL, or “hyperlink,” doesn’t always match what you’re actually seeing. So if you do visit a dodgy site, be sure to check the URL to make sure it’s genuine.
If you’re unsure of the authenticity of the URL or website you’re on, it’s usually best to leave immediately and come back when you have the time to do some research. By taking the time to do some research, you can usually find enough information about the website or organization to know whether or not you should trust them.