Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into a booming business

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by jwong_ on Friday June 30, 2017 @02:23PM (#14672699)

I don't know if you've looked at what gets sent out, but the e-mails sent for the Giveaways are extremely spammy.

I get that you probably added it somewhere in the giveaway text, but from a post somewhere, it was indicated the giveaways were more to garner attention, not as a profit-making venture. It turned me off completely when I started getting those. It gave me a negative impression on both Scott's Cheap Flights and on any companies that started sending me cold emails.

Maybe you can be more selective in your partners, or perhaps work with the partners in what gets sent out. I'm very judicious in what I let get my attention, and seeing these kinds of random sales pitches with no actual value proposition was annoying.

I went back to the giveaway and found the e-mail consent in the tiny text under the consent checkmark for signing up, so I can give you that for having the warning there now. It was not noticed when I signed up, however.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by bkidwell on Friday June 30, 2017 @02:29PM (#14672747)

Yeah I hear you. I really appreciate the feedback as well.

We only try to partner with high quality companies. For example this Tokyo one were running right now is with journy, ProductHunt, theSkimm, The Wirecutter, and Conde Nast Traveler. All legitimate companies. It's unfortunate that their emails are seen as spam because that's not good for anyone.

We'll keep this in mind moving forward. Thank you again :-)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by SSilver2k2 on Friday June 30, 2017 @02:54PM (#14672921)

I have gotten messages from all of these, and they are complete spam. I'm glad I know it's your fault.

What's done is done, I've unsubscribed.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by mdns33 on Friday June 30, 2017 @04:05PM (#14673333)

Oops. One customer lost. Nice way to market your company.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by ambicapter on Friday June 30, 2017 @08:58PM (#14674624)

I haven't gotten any spammy messages (or gmail has caught them). I've only gotten emails from theSkimm, which is not in my interests but it looks like they put a decent amount of effort in their email. This one guy's terrible terrible experience is not necessarily indicative of anything.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by ghostly_s on Friday June 30, 2017 @04:21PM (#14673396)

Again, sticking opposing thoughts into two consecutive sentences does not create a good impression of your business. "high quality companies" !== "legitimate companies".

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by concede_pluto on Friday June 30, 2017 @09:54PM (#14674870)

If I want you to email me, I will give you my address. If I haven't done that, there's no legitimate reason to pay a third party for it. 100% of your partners are spammers.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by immy on Saturday July 01, 2017 @11:42AM (#14677549)

I bit on that one. The Skimm email was so useless I was offended. It hurt my view of Scott's cheap flights.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Scott's Cheap Flights: Growing a small side project into ... by robocat on Friday June 30, 2017 @05:41PM (#14673756)

Perhaps make your user enter their email again... To make it clear they are subscribing and giving their email out?

[ Parent | on HN ]