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Think CASL doesn't apply to you? Think again. Here are three tips to staying compliant under Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation

08 May 2015

Email is one of the most effective ways to quickly and easily communicate with both prospective and existing clients. But like other electronic communication, including texts and sending message to social media accounts, emails sent in connection with a commercial activity must comply with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). 

Are you CASL compliant?

Email is one of the most effective ways to quickly and easily communicate with both prospective and existing clients. But like other electronic communication, including texts and sending message to social media accounts, emails sent in connection with a commercial activity must comply with Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). 

There are requirements that must be met before hitting the “send” button and potential penalties for those who don’t meet them. So far two companies have been fined for allegedly violating Canada’s anti-spam law—one for a whopping 1.1 million and the other $48,000.

Here are three things to keep in mind when it comes to CASL:

  1. You need consent. Currently, implied or express consent are acceptable. For example, you typically have implied consent for two years following an existing business relationship (e.g. someone has purchased or enquired about a product or service). Express consent means that the recipient has given you written or verbal permission to contact them (be sure to keep records detailing how this consent was given).

  2. Your business has to be clearly identified and contact info, including your business mailing address, must be included. (You’ll need to one of the following as well: an active and accurate phone number that connects to a live person or a voice mail, an email address or a website.

  3. It has to be easy to unsubscribe and free to do so for the recipient. Make sure every message includes information on how to unsubscribe.

Looking for more info about CASL?

Sign up for the first-ever CASL Summit which takes place May 12, 2015 in Richmond Hill.

Hosted by Constant Contact, the event is designed to help participants understand the fundamentals of CASL, develop best practices and learn how to improve sales and build critical relationships to drive growth. Register now.

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