Recently, I have seen an increase in the number of imported lists stating they are comprised of LinkedIn connections. While LinkedIn can be an extremely helpful tool in growing your email marketing list, there is definitely a right way and a wrong way to utilize its capabilities. Before you use a tool, program, or website to gain interested contacts for your email list, it's important to keep in mind that explicit permission is key. By explicit permission, I mean that each person you intend on emailing has agreed to, and is expecting to receive this communication. With that in mind, think about all of the people you are following on Twitter, friends with on Facebook, and connected to on LinkedIn.

Did you specifically agree to be added to each and every one of their email lists simply by becoming a connection? Do you expect to start receiving their weekly newsletters? Most likely not, and it wouldn't be right to assume this of your connections either. "But, I know my LinkedIn connections are connected to me for a reason- they want to hear from me." You're right! They are connected to you for a reason.

Maybe you've met at an event, they've done business with you in the past or they would like to hear from your business on a one-to-one basis. In addition to these contacts however, there may also be people you're connected with who've never interacted with you in the past. Quite honestly, it's possible they may have added you to grow their network to appear more credible or to have their posts seen by a larger audience. Resist the urge to export this list and mass email them from your email service provider. This is not only an open invitation for increased spam complaints, but it can negatively affect your business' reputation as well. Set expectations and gain permission first.