I recently emailed the Membership Chair for more information about prestigious women’s entrepreneur organization. I’m interested in expanding my support team, getting some new mentors to help me be a better leader and also, share experiences about growing a business in a shaky economic climate. The group seemed like it might be a good fit.
The membership fee is high – over $5000 per year – so I emailed the email listed on the site to start a dialogue about benefits. For that kind of money, I need to know I would gain that much in return – extra knowledge, experiences, mentorship and networking.
I emailed two months ago and never heard back. I just emailed again this week and got this in return.
I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.
1. Why am I chasing them to give them my money?
2. I wonder how many potential members actually go fill out the spam form? How many potential members are they losing there?
For an organization that costs $5000 per year, I’d expect a timely response to my first email and also a red velvet welcome mat rolled out to entice me to join.
What am I missing? Am I being too harsh?
I’m headed to an exploratory meeting tomorrow so it should be very interesting.
It’s good news to read they followed up with you.
Good luck with this venture AM!
I totally agree; spam is a nuisance. We get so much of it at BB and TeachSoap. Ugh. I did fill out the form and was thrilled today when I got an email and a phone call back.
I’ll keep you posted on how the group is if I do join.
I’m interested in anything that will better my business skills so maybe this is it? Fingers crossed!
I don’t think your initial response to this reply is harsh AM but on the flip side with spam being what it is maybe it was the only way this person knew how to handle it, I’m not sure. I agree, its not a good way to conduct business and I certainly wouldn’t chase after someone to give them $5,000.00 but who knows what type of spam that person has dealt with on their end that prompted them to handle business this way (I hope I’m making sense).
I think $5000 is a hefty fee, but that being said, I would expect the highest respect from the group asking for money. I respond wildly quickly to customers who buy $16 worth of stuff or nothing at all. Some just inquire extensively before purchasing, and my philosophy is: If someone is confused or interested in something that I can share, I want to help. Maybe this is my nature, but I think organizations big and small need to treat people with respect and hopefully with some warmth.
I hate those emails bouncing back saying you have to try again. It happened to me the other day with a friend of the family, and I shrugged my shoulders and blew it off.
I have to wonder about any chapter, company, etc… that you have to wonder why you would be chasing them for money…I wouldn’t exactly be happy about the generic response you received either…
And hey what about the age limit??? What’s up with that? That wouldn’t fly in the equity & diversity real world of any HR department… 🙂 I suppose it’s A-Okay for exclusive organizations that can make their own rules.
I have heard good things about the EO Network. They have a chapter in Seattle and Portland. I have a friend that belongs and raves about it. He is always saying things like you can share anything, get confidential advice. You have to be a founder under the age of 40 to join…I am 43 and too old! 🙁
Here is a link:
http://www.eonetwork.org/Public/About/About.aspx
Debbie
What’s going on? I’m awake 5 am malaysian time :S
No I think you’re right about the timely response and red velvet welcome part.
That kind of attitude just leads you to think all sorts of things that aren’t good about the company and its management.
Couldn’t they find the time to get another email address with a spam filter? A few emails of spam that leak through isn’t going to kill anyone. For some, filling out forms are a hassle.
Although if you were emailing them to find out more about the membership, it would probably be worth it still to fill in the form and be “approved”.
It might answer your question about what you’re missing.
Hehe, at least that’s what I think 🙂