Amy,
The real question here is - can you send an email message to someone you do not already have a business relationship with. The simple answer is "No." But, is that really fair or accurate? I am no so sure. Why would people provide their email addresses online if it was illegal for anyone who did not already know them to contact them? Don't you think the majority of folks who already know them know what the email address is anyway? The real reason email addresses are posted to websits is for the "new acquaintances." At least, that would make sense.
There are folks online who will acuse you of spamming them when you are not trying to sell them anything. You are simply asking a question. There are others who will not accuse you of spamming them because you are offering them something that they actually are seeking - such as filling an employee slot at their company. Make no mistake, this really is a tricky area with which to deal.
The Can SPAM law requires that your online communication contanin an unsubscribe link. Whether you know the person to whom you are sending email or not, always include an unsubscribe link or feature.
I make a Power Networking PDF available here on Ryze. I use the PDF to train people how to market their business cost-effectively. I advertise the PDF quite frequently on Ryze's ad-specific networks. When a person sends me an email requesting this PDF, I save their request email in a certain file drawer. If someone should ever complain about my sending them that PDF, I now have a record of the request to prove I was not spamming that person by sending it.
If you are trying to build an email list, I recommend using a free offer - such as a PDF with helpful information - as a way to do that. This is what permission-marketing is all about. You want to be free to share your business message. That is why folks go to the trouble to create free online newsletters and promote subscribing. They want to build an audience that will spread their message - not get them in trouble.
Therefore, be careful to whom and what you send to others. Persue permission-marketing techniques. And, always include a means for folks - new or old - to unsubscribe to your mailing.
Good luck.
Lamar Morgan Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 954-603-7901 | 
