Who is Sending That Email. Play “Guess the Spammer” With Me

by Warren Whitlock on May 12, 2008 · 76 comments

I just received an email from “Smile” with the Subject: Business Inquiry.

I’m sure you’d have no problem guessing it was SPAM.. it had 4 attachments and bad English throughout.

But something struck me that prompted me to post here… and maybe pass on some ideas how you can make your emails less SPAMmy looking.

First the game.

Can you guess what industry sent this?

Dear Potential Customer,

How are you doing? We are so sorry to bother you and send you this email, we are getting to know you from your company page on Internet but it’s the only way for us to getting start with you communicating for the business relationship between our companies.
We send you this email just to see if we have any possibility to do business together in sooner future.

Post your answer in a comment. I have some best seller books here I will send to the winner.

And what is the lesson?

It’s really not even in the email. Or a lesson on SPAM or writing (we could go on and on).

Today’s lesson in the FROM line. The message was a dead giveaway from the start. I don’t have any friends, customers or vendors who are called “Smile.” Come to think of it, I don’t know anyone named “Smile” or “Support” or a company name.

When you write to someone.. make sure the know it you.

Sound obvious?

Check you in box.. Some big companies think you’ll like hearing from “no-reply”

Every study I’ve seen, every test I’ve done gives the same conclusion. NOTHING BEATS email from a human being for getting the reader to open and pay attention.

It’s a little thing.. but that’s where success lies.. Get all the little things right and you’ll be much more successful.

  • http://www.davedonohue.com Dave Donohue

    From the attachments and the “business proposition” it sounds like some I’ve gotten from Asian electronic manufacturers/suppliers. Am I close?

  • http://www.davedonohue.com/ Dave Donohue

    From the attachments and the “business proposition” it sounds like some I’ve gotten from Asian electronic manufacturers/suppliers. Am I close?

  • http://www.revengeofthenewbies.com Yvonne Lyon

    My best guest, since they are referring to your ‘website’ is that they want you to work on a book with them.

    Either that or you once again won the lottery and they want you to cash their checks for them! Is that two guesses? LOL

  • http://www.revengeofthenewbies.com/ Yvonne Lyon

    My best guest, since they are referring to your ‘website’ is that they want you to work on a book with them.Either that or you once again won the lottery and they want you to cash their checks for them! Is that two guesses? LOL

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08614972102006980755 McChesney’s

    I couldn’t agree more!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08614972102006980755 McChesney’s

    I couldn’t agree more!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11825923682967093943 bleuet

    It sounds/reads like some bad business language coming from Asia or Africa. Trying to pursue you that they have something to sell that could interest you for the better of your business. :-)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11825923682967093943 bleuet

    It sounds/reads like some bad business language coming from Asia or Africa. Trying to pursue you that they have something to sell that could interest you for the better of your business. :-)

  • http://www.revengeofthenewbies.com Yvonne Lyon

    Let’s see, your industry is Consulting, so that will be my final guess: Consulting.

  • http://www.revengeofthenewbies.com/ Yvonne Lyon

    Let’s see, your industry is Consulting, so that will be my final guess: Consulting.

  • http://salesmanagement20.com Brad

    I would bet most anything it is from a sales or marketing company that is trying to get you to use their expert services.

  • http://salesmanagement20.com/ Brad

    I would bet most anything it is from a sales or marketing company that is trying to get you to use their expert services.

  • Jim Cobb

    I would guess that it was some kind of virus or smut.

  • Jim Cobb

    I would guess that it was some kind of virus or smut.

  • http://www.compellingmarketingblog.com Tracy Needham

    Emoticon software?

  • http://www.compellingmarketingblog.com/ Tracy Needham

    Emoticon software?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11825923682967093943 bleuet

    toothpaste for whiter teeths, lipstick to enhance your smile, botox to get rid of wrinkles..

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11825923682967093943 bleuet

    toothpaste for whiter teeths, lipstick to enhance your smile, botox to get rid of wrinkles..

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02708872682422535686 Darwin

    I am thinking it is SEO services they are trying to sell.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02708872682422535686 Darwin

    I am thinking it is SEO services they are trying to sell.

  • http://www.affiliatehomebasedbusiness.com Tonya Pruitt

    I say it’s the Asian Exporters/Importers that are always emailing me to become an importer for them to sell their products here in the USA.

  • http://www.affiliatehomebasedbusiness.com/ Tonya Pruitt

    I say it’s the Asian Exporters/Importers that are always emailing me to become an importer for them to sell their products here in the USA.

  • http://www.marketingchick.com Carmen

    Smile? Maybe electric toothbrushes… digital cameras… digital video recorders… tell us what it is Warren!!

  • http://www.marketingchick.com/ Carmen

    Smile? Maybe electric toothbrushes… digital cameras… digital video recorders… tell us what it is Warren!!

  • http://www.revengeofthenewbies.com Yvonne Lyon

    Dating/Marriage Service?

  • http://www.revengeofthenewbies.com/ Yvonne Lyon

    Dating/Marriage Service?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11285033305844181633 John Grey, Editor, couriermail.com.au

    Tractors?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11285033305844181633 John Grey, Editor, couriermail

    Tractors?

  • http://thekeys2internetmarketing.com Charly Leetham

    I think they are “payment” processors and want you to process payments. I think you call that laundering….

    Or, they are in the “marriage brokerage” business and would you like to enter into a contract with you.

  • http://thekeys2internetmarketing.com/ Charly Leetham

    I think they are “payment” processors and want you to process payments. I think you call that laundering….Or, they are in the “marriage brokerage” business and would you like to enter into a contract with you.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05003926218223170086 Nancy Babyak, PMP

    Monetary exchange company?

    But to the meat of your post… Getting messages from a real human can’t be beat!

    Clearwire started having a ‘Personal Customer Service” agent send me e-mails. His name is Xavier and his first e-mail came with a picture and a nice story about why he loves to work for Clearwire.

    The web order feature says that I can not get phone service… I can get internet service and have been a customer for a little more than a year, but not phone.

    One e-mail to my new buddy Xavier and *cheesy poof* I have phone service with a tracking number for the hardware… and my new phone number… all the same day!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05003926218223170086 Nancy Babyak, PMP

    Monetary exchange company?But to the meat of your post… Getting messages from a real human can’t be beat! Clearwire started having a ‘Personal Customer Service” agent send me e-mails. His name is Xavier and his first e-mail came with a picture and a nice story about why he loves to work for Clearwire. The web order feature says that I can not get phone service… I can get internet service and have been a customer for a little more than a year, but not phone.One e-mail to my new buddy Xavier and *cheesy poof* I have phone service with a tracking number for the hardware… and my new phone number… all the same day!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06804890015726978266 funDiva Christy Hoffman

    My best guess: Import/Export in Africa

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/06804890015726978266 funDiva Christy Hoffman

    My best guess: Import/Export in Africa

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12655756303752269312 Amanda MacArthur

    They sound like they’re in the business of you sending them a wire transfer for their rich uncle who will then transfer it into a foreign bank account with your name on it for later deposit into your bank account once you empty your bank account and send it to them first.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12655756303752269312 Amanda MacArthur

    They sound like they’re in the business of you sending them a wire transfer for their rich uncle who will then transfer it into a foreign bank account with your name on it for later deposit into your bank account once you empty your bank account and send it to them first.

  • http://www.howtoreview.com Daniel Callantine

    I would say they are a publishing company.

  • http://www.howtoreview.com/ Daniel Callantine

    I would say they are a publishing company.

  • http://overallbeauty.com/beauty-blog/ Kim Snyder

    I would say they are SEO Marketing or they think you would be interested in a easy do nothing make tons of money idea they are pushing.

  • http://overallbeauty.com/beauty-blog/ Kim Snyder

    I would say they are SEO Marketing or they think you would be interested in a easy do nothing make tons of money idea they are pushing.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05033897043595753861 Wayne Buckhanan

    Is this the people selling the sweetener for diabetics?

    I fully agree with the personal email thought. And I’m chagrined to say that my emails from from “Wayne Buckhanan” but newsletter@…

    Thanks for the food for thought Warren!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05423807764227747932 LT3aG4S

    Fast Food Franchise

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05033897043595753861 Wayne Buckhanan

    Is this the people selling the sweetener for diabetics?I fully agree with the personal email thought. And I’m chagrined to say that my emails from from “Wayne Buckhanan” but newsletter@…Thanks for the food for thought Warren!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05423807764227747932 LT3aG4S

    Fast Food Franchise

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09587178560071084862 Carmen

    children’s books… where you can customize with a child’s name.

  • Daniel Callantine

    Private Label Rights Products.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/09587178560071084862 Carmen

    children’s books… where you can customize with a child’s name.

  • Daniel Callantine

    Private Label Rights Products.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16953807887068305908 Todd

    Books

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16953807887068305908 Todd

    Books

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16953807887068305908 Todd

    ooo better yet, Lakanto. Sweetner for diabetics…

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16953807887068305908 Todd

    ooo better yet, Lakanto. Sweetner for diabetics…

  • http://www.howtoreview.com Daniel Callantine

    Health or Life Insurance.

  • http://www.howtoreview.com/ Daniel Callantine

    Health or Life Insurance.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02478360352769420553 Donna Fox

    Todd, that was my guess! I literally just came to type it in.

    OK, how about diet pills?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/07105732405968200195 Christine Kerner

    Is it from a company in the health care field? The e-mail sender asks how you are and is sorry to bother you…just a guess.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02478360352769420553 Donna Fox

    Todd, that was my guess! I literally just came to type it in.OK, how about diet pills?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/07105732405968200195 Christine Kerner

    Is it from a company in the health care field? The e-mail sender asks how you are and is sorry to bother you…just a guess.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11755877067773066769 Lydia Sugarman

    My bet is it’s from a textile manufacturing company in China. I’ve gotten a number of emails like this from India and China. They’re getting better, but this looks more like it originated in China.

    Lydia Sugarman
    http://www.privatelabelmail.com

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/11755877067773066769 Lydia Sugarman

    My bet is it’s from a textile manufacturing company in China. I’ve gotten a number of emails like this from India and China. They’re getting better, but this looks more like it originated in China.Lydia Sugarmanhttp://www.privatelabelmail.com

  • http://zanesafrit.typepad.com Zane Safrit

    It’s the bank fraud scam. I have a million dollars from my uncle who’s dead. I want to use your bank account to get the money out of the country. Send me your bank account number and I’ll send you the million and you keep …oh, x percent.

  • http://zanesafrit.typepad.com/ Zane Safrit

    It’s the bank fraud scam. I have a million dollars from my uncle who’s dead. I want to use your bank account to get the money out of the country. Send me your bank account number and I’ll send you the million and you keep …oh, x percent.

  • http://www.howtoreview.com Daniel Callantine

    Joint Venture offer. from the Philipeans.

  • http://www.howtoreview.com/ Daniel Callantine

    Joint Venture offer. from the Philipeans.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/14575617951887005260 Sile O’Broin

    I don’t think they are trying to sell anything; the email is just appears to be business related. Once you hit reply, the spammers know that yours is a live email and make contact once again. Once the contact is established then they will probably hit the unsuspecting victim for moolah. That or it could be Viagra B2B… who knows! Do I win Warren?!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/14575617951887005260 Sile O’Broin

    I don’t think they are trying to sell anything; the email is just appears to be business related. Once you hit reply, the spammers know that yours is a live email and make contact once again. Once the contact is established then they will probably hit the unsuspecting victim for moolah. That or it could be Viagra B2B… who knows! Do I win Warren?!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16953807887068305908 Todd

    Narmada Textiles, India?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16953807887068305908 Todd

    Narmada Textiles, India?

  • http://thevirtualhandshake.com/blog Scott Allen

    No one guessed IT services / software development yet, which kind of surprises me. That was my first guess — I get stuff like this all the time.

  • http://thevirtualhandshake.com/blog Scott Allen

    No one guessed IT services / software development yet, which kind of surprises me. That was my first guess — I get stuff like this all the time.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05033897043595753861 Wayne Buckhanan

    I’m a biblioholic so I feel compelled to keep playing for the prize!

    Is this for a tailor/clothing shop in the Philippines?

    (Best wishes with your daughter today. You’re all in our prayers.)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05033897043595753861 Wayne Buckhanan

    I’m a biblioholic so I feel compelled to keep playing for the prize!Is this for a tailor/clothing shop in the Philippines?(Best wishes with your daughter today. You’re all in our prayers.)

  • http://equipmentjobs.com Rob Lewis

    My guess is a self publishing company or some type of search engine optimization company (we know they don’t know better!!!!) Is that two guesses :) (smile)

  • http://equipmentjobs.com/ Rob Lewis

    My guess is a self publishing company or some type of search engine optimization company (we know they don’t know better!!!!) Is that two guesses :) (smile)

  • http://smartwomanguides.com Vicki Flaugher

    My guess it’s a PR company, wanting you to do an advertising/PR campaign with them.

    They cleary don’t know you, because you do that very well all by yourself! LOL!

    Together, we are stronger.
    Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

  • http://smartwomanguides.com/ Vicki Flaugher

    My guess it’s a PR company, wanting you to do an advertising/PR campaign with them. They cleary don’t know you, because you do that very well all by yourself! LOL!Together, we are stronger.Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman