Blue Chip

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On April 4, 2008, in All, Industry Analysis, Job Boards, JohnSumser.com, by John Sumser

I’ve now received 15 referrals to a “premier talent website” called Blue Chip Expert. The idea is a multi-level-marketing spin on referrals. The operation appears to pander to consultants, Executive search people and hiring managers. Each of the notes I got inferred that I somehow knew the sender.

One of the frustrating things about the latest trends in social networking software tools is that they skirt the edges of good manners. Broad networking with lots of anonymous partners is how epidemics of social diseases get started. The experimentation is worthwhile.

I just hate to be on the receiving end of spam. Particularly spam from operations that serve recruiters.

I’m learning about targeted bulk email. That’s how we reach out to recruiters to fill the Recruiting Roadshow. It’s delicious, value laden content designed to tell potential participants about this wonderful free opportunity.

Of course, my value laden precision targeted bulk email would never be spam, right?

I’ve tried really hard to work up a lather about the somewhat infuriating technique of pretending to be my friend and then sending me spam. I think, though, that we’re all trying to figure out something new. We need to give each other lots of room to make mistakes. We’re just about to learn something.

These days, the best advice seems to be “Steer clear of people with really simple answers.”

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John Sumser

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http://www.rcirs.com/blog/2007/06/11/the-decline-of-shipwrecks-and-email-distractions/ Amitai Givertz

To your point: “Of course, my value laden precision targeted bulk email would never be spam, right?”

Basically there are two types of email item. The first is the message we receive from someone we know and recognize and the second is the item we receive from an unknown sender, the Recruiting Roadshow perhaps.

Likewise there are basically two forms of email content. The first contains information we need, want, should have or in some other way has value, currency. The other is the untimely, the irrelevant, the unwanted and the distracting.

The problem [and the payoff] is that unlike other forms of communication email is direct. It has the potential to please or pester.

On balance which you rather receive: Untimely, irrelevant, unwanted and the distracting stuff from someone you know, recognize and even trust or valuable and current information that you need or should have that is sent — unsolicited — from a perfect stranger?

The problem with bulk mail is that it is hit and miss. Some recipients will view the message as annoying others will receive it happily. The same person may respond differently on different days, who knows?

The point is that if the mailing “pays for itself” the mission has been accomplished. Collateral damage comes with the territory. If the intent of the sender is decent but the message is poorly timed how is that different from a useless piece of mail from someone we know and trust, waste that we junk without thinking twice? And, if you are immediately removed from future mailings when you ask to be isn’t that a transaction of trust?

Nice blog, John. ‘Bout time we had you back.