Had the same thing done to me by a lawyer at a tech meetup. No email upfront asking if it was ok, just automatically on his bi-weekly newsletter which contained links about crap.
I think the main issue (and with the original poster) is not that you were subscribed, but that their newsletter was far too intrusive: not enough good information, and too often (did you mean twice a week? or fortnightly?).
If on the other hand, he specialised in startups or small business and gave you relevant, useful information, I doubt you'd have been too concerned.
Except that everyone thinks they have relevant, useful information. And what is relevant and useful to one person is irrelevant and annoying to another. So, as the author said, why risk it? I agree; err on the safe side and don't do it.
If something's that irrelevant and annoying, then you have other options:
* just unsubscribe.
* give them feedback on the sorts of things that you would find interesting. Most small businesses would kill for that sort of feedback, and done properly (ie. not an annoying techy asshat) it can really build relationships.
* file the email away somewhere. I've had email newsletters come in handy months down the track, when they seemed irritating
* filter the people who you give your card to. If they seem like an idiot (what's a non-tech related lawyer doing at a tech meetup?), don't give them your card.
Typically you can't control what other people do - like Mr. Annoying Lawyer - so getting annoyed, or writing blog posts like this is unproductive. Changing things which are under your control is much more satisfying and less stressful.
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[ 4.3 ms ] story [ 311 ms ] threadIf on the other hand, he specialised in startups or small business and gave you relevant, useful information, I doubt you'd have been too concerned.
* just unsubscribe.
* give them feedback on the sorts of things that you would find interesting. Most small businesses would kill for that sort of feedback, and done properly (ie. not an annoying techy asshat) it can really build relationships.
* file the email away somewhere. I've had email newsletters come in handy months down the track, when they seemed irritating
* filter the people who you give your card to. If they seem like an idiot (what's a non-tech related lawyer doing at a tech meetup?), don't give them your card.
Typically you can't control what other people do - like Mr. Annoying Lawyer - so getting annoyed, or writing blog posts like this is unproductive. Changing things which are under your control is much more satisfying and less stressful.