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What is Bulk Email Marketing?

Contel Bradford
Contel Bradford

Bulk email marketing refers to a form of marketing that involves sending the same, or nearly identical, message to multiple email recipients. This type of campaign requires special software that takes each individual email address from a pre-existing list, and distributes a single message to each one. The number of recipients can range from hundreds to thousands, depending on campaign objectives.

Though it is generally viewed as a direct marketing tool used by large companies, bulk email can be used by small businesses and individuals as well. Someone might use it to send out dinner invitations, share family photos, or spread the news on a special event. In this scenario, bulk emailing objectives vary by the individual, and the messages are usually only distributed to friends or family the person actually knows.

Spam messages are unsolicited bulk e-mails sent to people who did not request to receive such e-mail.
Spam messages are unsolicited bulk e-mails sent to people who did not request to receive such e-mail.

Businesses launch bulk email marketing campaigns as a means of promoting products or services to consumers. It can be used to reach prospective customers as well as existing clients. Some companies create multiple versions of their bulk email and craft unique messages targeted at individuals or specific groups of consumers.

While bulk email marketing is a technique that allows the marketer to easily communicate with a large number of recipients at one time, it also permits them to do so in a personalized way. For example, it allows for the management of mailing lists and targeted communications to a diverse base of subscribers. Most importantly, it lets the marketer segregate recipients based on their interests and requirements, enabling more accurate targeting through personalized, relevant content.

Bulk email marketing does not necessarily constitute spam, but due to widespread abuse, many email users choose to block all bulk emails.
Bulk email marketing does not necessarily constitute spam, but due to widespread abuse, many email users choose to block all bulk emails.

Although bulk email marketing does not necessarily constitute as spam, many spam campaigns are launched using this very method. Due to widespread abuse, many recipients may choose to delete any mail they believe is sent to them in bulk. This is a significant challenge for ambitious marketers who must already deal with the threat of spam filters that might be configured to block, or automatically delete, all bulk email from the recipient’s inbox.

As part of "netiquette," it's imperative that email marketers treat online interactions the same as those in the real world.
As part of "netiquette," it's imperative that email marketers treat online interactions the same as those in the real world.

Bulk email marketing can prove to be a valuable tool for those who want to leverage the email system as their promotional medium. It can help a company effectively deliver its message while staying in touch with subscribers and increasing its conversion rate. On the other hand, if bulk email is unsolicited and sent to recipients who did not agree to receive it, it is often considered spam. For this reason, targeting a list of opt-in recipients is usually viewed as the key to such a campaign’s success.

Discussion Comments

julies

I think when bulk email marketing first became popular, it was seen as more of a positive thing. From a business point of view, I can see how something like this would save a lot of time and expense.

When the spammers started getting the email addresses was when this started receiving so much negative attention. I receive some bulk email internet marketing emails from companies that I have signed up for, and if they look interesting I will read them.

There have been times when even these emails can be excessive and I don't have the time to read all of them.

I don't see bulk email marketing going away any time soon. Once you get on a list that you haven't signed up for, I have found it can sometimes be difficult to get your name removed.

andee

I get frustrated with bulk email online marketing and keep a spam filter on my email to keep them out of my inbox. If I have given permission to a company to send me their updates by email that is OK.

Very rarely do I ever look at my spam folder, and when I do, I know why I keep that filter on. Many of those bulk email messages are not even worth opening up or looking at.

I know that many companies will sell email addresses, and that is one way they get access to my email address. If I start receiving them in my inbox, I will opt out of their mass email marketing campaign. Sometimes I have to do this more than once, and I find myself getting frustrated if they keep sending me a bulk email.

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    • Spam messages are unsolicited bulk e-mails sent to people who did not request to receive such e-mail.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Spam messages are unsolicited bulk e-mails sent to people who did not request to receive such e-mail.
    • Bulk email marketing does not necessarily constitute spam, but due to widespread abuse, many email users choose to block all bulk emails.
      By: adimas
      Bulk email marketing does not necessarily constitute spam, but due to widespread abuse, many email users choose to block all bulk emails.
    • As part of "netiquette," it's imperative that email marketers treat online interactions the same as those in the real world.
      By: a4stockphotos
      As part of "netiquette," it's imperative that email marketers treat online interactions the same as those in the real world.