Good Idea Or Spamming?

[+rutson]

Is it acceptable to contact local cachers to inform them of an upcoming event?

 

As I see it:

 

Pros

Many cachers, especially new ones do not even know about events

Those that do may feel that existing cachers are cliquey and it would be nice to let them know they are welcome

 

Cons

May be considered spam or abuse of the system

 

Thoughts are most welcome, definate answers more so!

[Deego]

I would not have a problem with it. I think of cachers as friends

[+Moote]

I think it is swings and roundabouts; I myself would be happy, but I can see others not liking this practice.

 

Oh before I forget; there is an event near your location on Saturday organised by Fruity, I hope that we all might see you there

 

Milton (aka Moote)

 

P.S. Every time I now read a Rutson post it looks like you are annoyed, this is due to your XMas Avatar

[+Simply Paul]

Don't most folks get the 'weekly new cache roundup' email which would inform them of an upcoming event for weeks or months beforehand - and often the week after it too?

 

If a local cacher emailed (or called, or texted - these things happen when you're a PAF target) me about an event, I'd be pleased they wanted me there, not annoyed. Speaking personally, you understand

 

SP

[+Dorsetgal & GeoDog]

I wouldn't see it as spam, like Paul said, I'd be pleased to have been included. Also, as a relative newcomer, I would feel that it would be an ice breaker and would convey that I am welcome.

 

I agree there are many who don't read the forums and may also pass the weekly cache notificitions by, and it would be a way of contacting those folk directly.

[+rutson]

<cynic mode>

So the concensus so far is that the hoi polloi think it's a good idea. So the PTB will probably put a kybosh on it

</cynic mode>

[+Happy Humphrey]

Ian,

 

Personally I wouldn't mind at all. But I'd advise against it.

 

Active cachers should spot the event anyway on the list of local caches, and there are some who will feel pressured by a personal e-mail (no matter how polite), and will think that they have to reply with their excuses for not going. Or may feel rude by not replying.

 

Either way it's not a positive feeling, and some may think that it's a little bit of an invasion of privacy. One of the strengths of this game is that you can take as much or as little interest as you like without anyone bothering you (normally!) .

 

If the cache description is well-written to make sure that everyone knows they are welcome, the danger of it appearing "cliquey" should be avoided.

 

HH

[+Eckington]

I know that this is not quite on the same subject, but I seem to remember that there was quite a discussion on the merits or not of unsolicited emails here some time ago............

[+Pharisee]

Don't most folks get the 'weekly new cache roundup' email which would inform them of an upcoming event for weeks or months beforehand - and often the week after it too?

 

If a local cacher emailed (or called, or texted - these things happen when you're a PAF target) me about an event, I'd be pleased they wanted me there, not annoyed. Speaking personally, you understand

 

SP

Like Simply, I'd be happy if a local cacher invited me personally to an event. I do get an emailed weekly 'round-up' of caches but unless it says 'EVENT' in big letters I'd probably miss it (and have in the past). Go for it but make sure you contact then all. Alibags got missed off one of our local 'drinkies nights' and she still under the impression that she's some sort of local 'pariah'.... and hasn't let me forget it!!

[+John & Hazel]

Instead of emailing local cachers, why not put a notice of some kind in the *caches you own* with details of local geocaching events etc.

I know it is more work but it will get around the spamming issue.

 

*I said caches you own as putting a notice in other peoples caches opens another can of worms.

[+Moote]

IMHO The way I view it is that Spam is unwanted email, an invite or info on an event is wanted email so can't be Spam.

[+Mr'D]

I would not have a problem with it. I think of cachers as friends 

I agree.

 

I think some people (like me!), need a kick up the butt to make an effort sometimes.

 

90% of people would find this a compliment surely?

 

Jon

[alistair_uk]

For what it is worth I have no problem receiving messages from someone who thinks I may be interested because of something I put in a log or word of mouth. I am less happy to receive a message that has been posted to everyone almost at random that there is only a remote change I will be interested in.

 

In summary if you think "Alistair might be interested in this..." or "this cacher enjoyed this in his log so..." then please get in contact, if you are sending something without even considering who you are sending it to then please don't bother me.

 

Following me own logic though, I don't think someone would be able so send me a message without identifying my is a way that I would consider acceptable so please ignore everything I have just types. Also if you want to invite me to an event then please do, and don't ignore that bit.

[+Simply Paul]

...there are some who will feel pressured by a personal e-mail (no matter how polite), and will think that they have to reply with their excuses for not going. Or may feel rude by not replying.

I can't help thinking folks are getting 'too' sensitive to the feelings of others these days. I remember when the giving and taking of insults was part-and-parcel of life*, leaving one emotionally toughened and naturally cynical of others opinions. While I appreciate offending people is generally a' bad thing', I'd rather do that than become so bland I don't challenge people on any level. That really would be an insult to them and their intelligence, in my opinion. (If it doesn't match yours, dear reader, then I'm very very sorry)

 

Now you bunch of [removed], I'm off to [removed] the [removed], and if you don't like it you can [removed] yourself.

 

SP

 

*It was a tough school. Those nuns knew some words that'd set a sailor blushing...

[+Write and Mane]

We did not know or understand exactly how the Forums work (we still don't)

When we wanted to organise a meet betwween local cachers - we just sent an email to most folk who had done our caches and a few neighbouring caches.

Generally people seemed to find this reasonable and apart from one local cacher (Swansea way) we targeted all our locals and those who couldn't make the meeting had good reasons, work, school commitments etc.

 

We had a lovely evening and it gave everybody a chance to socialise

We were probably fortunate that the majority of us had not met any other cachers

We were all strangers to each other - oops Mane did know Write!

 

And Mrs B knew Mr B.....

 

So if we did the wrong thing - abject apologies - grovel, grovel!

 

On the plus side some Cachers have requested that we email then ....

 

We have your names - you know who you are!!

Edited December 6, 2005 by Write and Mane

[+Pharisee]

I've attended some really good local events (both 'official' and 'un-official') and by 'local' I mean from London up to Milton Keynes and across to that village of mutants, Berkhamstead. There's generally a good turn-out and I know that some of the attendees rarely, if ever, post on the forum so a personal email may be the only way they'd find out about it. Also, if the cacher/team targeted is a relative newcomer to the game, a personal invite may well make the difference between them attending or not.

[+MartyBartfast]

If you do this, one thing I'd recommend is to either mail each person individually, or create a mail with all the recipients in the BCC list. What you don't want is to address the mail to X dozen people and then have some of them start doing a "Reply All" 'cos that would turn into a real SPAMfest and might bug some people.

[+Alibags]

Alibags got missed off one of our local 'drinkies nights' and she still under the impression that she's some sort of local 'pariah'.... and hasn't let me forget it!!

no, I know it's not just me, it's EVERYONE in Berko now, apparently!

[+Happy Humphrey]

(Pharisee) Go for it but make sure you contact then all.

This is the other problem: how do you know that you've invited all the "local" cachers? How far afield do you draw the line? Obviously you'll know most of them, but what if you've missed a couple but invited their friends? They're liable to throw their rattles out of the pram, spit their dummies out and flounce off (once they've thrown your caches in the canal).

 

HH

[ClanWhippy]

IMHO The way I view it is that Spam is unwanted email, an invite or info on an event is wanted email so can't be Spam.

fair enough "in your opinion", but to play devils advocate for a moment, you can't possibly know that your opinion will be shared by everyone else.

 

and unless you were to send out such 'advertising' 'mailshots' only to recipients who have opted in, it's only a matter of time before someone receives your mail and considers it to be spam.

[+Tyrolean Maid]

Being a relative newcomer I would be delighted to be invited to local events. I have so far attended very few events, have found them very enjoyable and met a great bunch of people, who have all been very welcoming.

[+John Stead]

... by 'local' I mean from London up to Milton Keynes and across to that village of mutants, Berkhamstead.

I thought you regarded Alston, Northumberland as local as far as event go as that was where I first met you John - I do know too that you venture into the land of the kilts!

 

Back OT - I would have thought an invitation unlikely to cause offence and a good icebreaker. I must admit I have never done it but I have when replying to any new "local" cacher who has logged a find on one of my caches pointed out that there was an event in the offing.

[+Learned Gerbil]

The following is just a personal view - I realise other's views may differ.

 

I know I would consider any message from someone I had never known, either in person orthrough email, to an event that was not on my doorstep, as spam.

 

An email from someone I had exchanged personal emails with about an event at the same or similar location to an event I had previously visited would be a different mater. As it happens, I have a query set to show any new caches in SE England during the last seven days which is run several times a week. Events appear when created, and only disappear seven days after the event itself - so ones I am interested in are difficult to miss.

 

If I was not interested in events my query would not find them. However, if I were really not interested in events I am sure that regular postings from local cachers I had never heard off would get up my nose.

 

I think a single thread here for each event is a good idea - I know not everyone visits the forums, but remember each event does appear in normal cache searches by default so people interested in caches i nthe area will spot them eventually.

[+littlejim]

If I get 1 geocache email in the 100 a day rubbish I receive (my email addresses are on my business website unfortunately ) it makes my day! Keep sending!

[+Cryptik Souls Crew]

Like some others have said, I think it depends if you plan to copy and paste the same text to a load of people or actually send them individual messages. "Spam" is just a slang term for unsolicited bulk email, the key point here being bulk.

 

If I were a new user I would be much more likely to feel welcome and invited if I got a message like this:

 

"Hi, saw your log for xxx cache the other day, it took me ages to find the second part of that multi when I did it. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know we are having a bit of a get together......"

 

than if I got a message like this, which had obviously been sent to loads of people:

 

"Hi, We are holding an event at xxx and we would like to invite you along to join us. Everyone is welcome, suitable for dogs and children...."

[+Birdman-of-liskatraz]

I guess I'm odd! It wouldn't bother me in the slightist. Amongst the Viagra, Rolex Watches, Mortgage etc e-mails... an invite to a Caching event would be a positive bonus - Go for it!!!