Problems With Political Cause Emails

Politics/Social Issues - Social Issues - General

By: StrawberryTech 08-Mar-2011

Introduction:

I consider myself to be pretty politically active. I voice my opinion, write to senators, legislators, governors etc. I like to stay informed, especially about causes I care about...but I am quitting lists regularly now for these reasons.

Stop Asking For Money!

I am most sick of the way that the sites seem to go almost straight to the fundraising page. Fact of the matter is, I care about healthcare reform, because I can't afford it. I care about unemployment being extended, because since it ended I'm broke. Stop asking me for money I don't have, I'm a part of the demographic in need and simply don't have it!

Ask Me to "Like", "Share" or "Tweet"

I do NOT mind if you ask me to spread the word! I am an active user of both facebook and twitter in addition to other social media platforms that would be great for this. Some campaign emails have links like this but I find that most are JUST asking for money which makes it so my participation just stops. An alternative would be to ask me to like, share, or tweet the initiative. Or you could take it a step further and ask me to blog about it and link back to the initiative! Please get creative I'm more than a funding source!

Stop Asking For Friends Info!

If you asked me to like, tweet, or share, I would do it. I will NOT give you my friend or family members' email information. My relationships are too valuable to do this. It is fine if this is an option but leave other more passive and spreadable ways to disperse the information. Like I described in #2 there are a lot of other ways to do this.

Follow Up!

I am so stressed out about the pesticides on the strawberries in California, the Hexavalent Chromium in the water, and so much more. I get all these scary updates and emails about all the terrible things going on. Then I send emails and pray that I won't die of cancer from the pesticides, and my inbox contains nothing but fundraising opportunities to give my money away. Please let us know what is going on with these measures, I want to know if I made a difference or if there is more work to be done!

Get Smarter Systems...

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I get an email, fulfill the request of sending a letter etc., and then I get the SAME email in a day or to asking me to do the same thing! I know there are systems out there that will let you know who did and didn't open and act on the emails you send, PLEASE use these systems and stop flooding my inbox!

Final Thoughts

Stop asking me for money, if I had it I'd give it. I can help in SO many other ways. Hold a design contest, blogging contest, ask me to tweet, ask me to share. Just stop asking for money and only money. Many other things could help at least as much and if you took advantage of these FREE marketing options you wouldn't need as much money to spread the word. Let us spread the word and use our money to feed and house our families please.