Is this considered spam?

My most recent project is a large listing of events in my niche. There is only one other site which has a listing of these events. I compiled an e-mail list of all of the event directors.

I would like to e-mail all of the event directors, and ask them to add their event to my site, since it is superior in every way possible to the other site which lists these events.

Is this considered spam?

 

More like a newsletter

 

With something like it, unless they are opt-in it is only spam if the receiver says it is :/

 

I would think that the list of people would be glad to know that there is another resource where they can advertise their events. I wouldn't consider this "spam", though it is unsolicited.

on another note, i've been pondering this lately:

Why can't I file a spam report against all of the crap i get in my real mail box? it even more annoying than my bulk folder on my email account, and at least spammers aren't killing trees to try and push their crap. (note: I do not support spam, but I don't see why supposed legitimate companys can legally send me crap every week that I have no interest in)

 

I wouldnt consider it spam, but just to make sure the receiver doesnt get mad I would add something like "This is a one time email..."

 

Technically speaking, any unsolicited email that you send to a person you do not have a relationship with is spam. So by the "letter of the law", what you're considering would be spam.

By the "spirit of the law", it's only spam if the receiver deems it as such (as pointed out by 'sbskater10'). The best things you can do to avoid this are to make each email personalized, and make a specific comment about the receiver's event that lets him or her know that they're not receiving a "bulk" email.

HTH,
Sam

 

WebFreedom hit the nail on the head. You are far less likely to get labeled as a spammer if you just send the email individually and personalize each one. And of course, let them know that if they choose to not receive any further communications, blah, blah...

 

Its not spam, you are free to email EVERY company that offers his email on directories / yellowpages..

It's what their emails are there for..
But, if they start complaining, be sure to have 'proof' you got them from there, and also DON'T get them from their own websites, if that's your source it IS considered spam

 

Just out of curiosity, how would you acquire "proof" as to where you obtained an email address?

Sam

 

yes, make it more personalized so it wont look like spam.