I am wondering if the following scenario would be ethical and legal email marketing. I have 250+ customers from the time I started my website until now. I want to start a mailing list to notify them about new features and services I am offering. Can I add all of my previous and current customers to my mailing list? Or do the customers have manually sign up for the mailing list themselves? If can't add all of them to the list myself, what do you think is the best way to go about this?
I think that it depends on servicies you provide/sell and how when the customer subscribed/purchased. e.g.: 6 months < $xx; 12 months < $yyy; I want to say that user will forget about the purchase he did 6 months ago and may treat your newsletter as a spam. also your newsletter should be associated with your site/servicies. A logo or something in the mailing so recipients don't think it is just another spam.
Under what circumstances did your 250+ members sign up? Are they members of your site? Did they sign up for free information? Did they optin to receive updates. All of these factors will determine how you approach them. Generally though, I'd send something out and give loads of stuff away in the form of advice or info products. That way even if someone wasn't expecting it, they'l see the email as a huge bonus and you'l have less complaints and opt outs. Hope this helps