Information for businesses
Most of the information you will find about spam on the web only tells you why consumers won't like it if you spam them. In our business pages, however, we tell you how spam can affect your business. Simply - spam is bad for your business, and both ordinary spam and acquaintance spam is now illegal in Australia in some circumstances, however there is such a thing as legitimate email marketing, and in these pages we also tell you how to do that.
Email is a powerful tool for businesses, however used incorrectly, you could find your business accused of "spamming", or transmitting Unsolicited Bulk Email (UBE). Once you have obtained the stigma of being a spammer, it takes years to shake it, and you are likely to never recover your reputation completely.
Preface - Why this is the most important lesson on Internet marketing you will ever read.
Overview - What the problem means to you.
Microeconomics of Spam - the economist's view.
Getting Permission - how to get permission for the first mailing.
What to do - Easy ways to avoid being labelled as a spammer, and still get what you want out of email lists.
The law - The current state of the law on this issue.
Beware - Is Your Opt-In Bureau Really Opt-In?
More information designed for businesspeople
Our Business Library on Spam contains links to information about spam specifically written from the perspective of the businessperson and marketer. Many of the linked documents are written by Internet marketing professionals.
Obligations for Online Businesses Under the Privacy Act
CAUBE.AU has prepared a brochure outlining the email related obligation imposed on businesses by the provisions of the Privacy Act that came into force on 21st December 2001. This brochure is designed to be easily understood by people without legal training, and explains how the provisions of the Privacy Act have the effect we describe.