Oh no, not another Opt-In Box!

Opting in to receive free reports and newsletters is an accepted part of doing business on the internet.  I think it’s a fair exchange -  contact details for good information. 

And double opt-in procedures are reassuringly professional - for the most part.

However, I’d like to share a less satisfactory opt-in box experience - perhaps something similar has happened to you?

I recently took part in an online survey.  The email asking for my input came from someone I’ve met in person, was been very polite and promised to share the results with all contributors.  As I was mildly interested in the subject, I answered the questions.

A month or so later, I got the email announcing the survey results were available with a link to get my copy, which I clicked on as I was genuinely interested to find out more ....

.... except when I arrived at the page, it was to be confronted with an opt-in box.  Huh?

This is the email I wanted to send:

“Dear xxxx

You already know I’m interested in the subject matter because I completed the survey.  You already have my email address because you’re writing to me. 

So why do you want to me to give you my email address again?

I really don’t want to end up on another one of your lists and possibly get twice the number of emails from you.

Please don’t make me double opt in just to get something you said you’d give me in exchange for my time completing your survey.  That isn’t playing the game.

Regards
Disillusioned”

No I didn’t send the email (because I know the person & like to think it was unintentional).  Yes I did opt in to get the report (curiosity got the better of me!) - but I’ll be opting out again the moment an autoresponder email arrives.  And I won’t be completing any more surveys for that person.

(Update:  Just got another email from same person......asking me to take part in another survey...)

Do you feel you’re being asked to opt-in too many times?  Let me know what you think in the comments below :)

Comments

[LouiseBJ]

Thanks for visiting my blog & commenting Marian! Love your comment "I am to trainings as most women are to a discount store clearance rack" & can totally relate, lol!

If you & I are at all representative of feelings towards opt-in boxes then people will need to work a LOT harder to get those contact details ;)

[Calmmarian]

Yes, oh yes, I get disenchanted with opt-in boxes, and I agree, I don't like it when even my favorite mentors ask me to opt in at EVERY step of our relationship.

I do like you, opt out as soon as I got my "free gift". The other reason is, I am to trainings as most women are to a discount store clearance rack. So I have to be mindful, opting out immediately keeps me from "falling prey".

Besides, I wouldn't want my list full of people who don't really want to be there. I simply do the same to others, often choosing NOT to opt in, I'll skip the "gift".

Marian