Questions

Is capturing a commenter’s email address legal?

The Can Spam Act of 2003 does not restrict how email addresses are acquired, only how those email addresses are used. When using any mainstream email marketing software (e.g. GetResponse, Aweber, Talk Fusion, iContact) you are required to meet federal email requirements. And remember, they are personally typing their email address into the comment form.

Can I tell my commenters that they will be added to my email list?

Yes. The CCR Plugin has the option to be set into Ninja Mode where you capture their name and email address without any opt-in/out option. Or, you can set a checkbox into the comment form that will allow the commenter to opt into your list upon submitting their comment. Either option also always for a message of notification.

Does the CCR Plugin send out emails?

The plugin does NOT send any emails. That is what your email marketing service is for. The plugin is a gateway between your blog and your email marketing service (e.g. GetResponse, Aweber, Talk Fusion, iContact, MailChimp). It allows your blog post commenter’s name and email address to be directly added to your email list.

What is the best way to use Clifton’s Commenter Response Plugin?

There are several ways you can use this plugin. One of the best ways to use it is by offering your reader’s a free gift or information for commenting. Check out this example, you are selling an e-book titled “How to be a Successful Internet Marketer”. You’ve decided to write a blog post featuring your e-book and it’s receiving several readers a day but no one is commenting and worse…not buy your e-book. Using the CCR Plugin, you create a campaign within the plugin and attach it to your GetResponse email marketing campaign. You set up the GetResponse autoresponder to send any subscribers the best chapter from the e-book. Now, you encourage your readers to leave a comment on your blog post and you will send them the best chapter of your e-book for free.

I receive loads of spam comments. Will they be added to my email list?

No. Each commenter’s information is automatically passed through the WordPress Akismet Spam Filter to be validated. Once marked as a real comment by Akismet, it will be sent to your email marketing service. Commenters are always added to your list immediately, therefore you don’t have to manually approve them first. Such a delay may upset the commenter if they are expecting something in return for their comment.

 Will a commenter be added to my list every time they comment?

First, this depends on your email marketing service, most won’t allow a duplicate email address. This works out nicely for you as not to annoy your commenter with multiple autoresponder emails. However, if you have two different email campaigns set up with your email marketing service and attach them to different blog posts, a single commenter can be added to both lists upon submitting a comment for each post.

 Does this plugin add an opt-in form to my blog?

Basically, your comment form becomes an opt-in form too.