Sharing offensive content
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 9:51 am
In most cases, this mistake has no serious consequences other than customer confusion. However, in some cases, email segmentation can go horribly wrong and some people may become seriously offended.
For example, sending a baby registry email to clients who recently lost a baby or are struggling to have children is not appropriate.
How to avoid this failure?
To avoid making this mistake, check your email segmentation several times before sending them. Even if that means you have to double or triple check before your campaign goes live. This is helpful to make sure your email doesn't end up in the spam folder .
How to recover from this email error?
If you end up sending an email to the wrong audience segment, a well-crafted “oops” email and an added bonus can save the day and your reputation.
Once you’ve discovered the segmentation error, don’t follow your first instinct. Instead, take the time to create a well-thought-out email copy to express your apologies. You can also offer an extra bonus to soften the negative impression.
Some mistakes, like sending the wrong personalization token, are usually ignored and quickly forgotten. However, when it comes to more serious errors, like sharing offensive or inappropriate content, a blunder can cost you a lot in revenue, customers, and reputation.
This email marketing campaign by Adidas is a good example qatar mobile number example marketing done wrong. An email with an encouraging subject line “ Congratulations, you survived the Boston Marathon! ” was sent to participants of the 2013 Boston Marathon. There would be nothing wrong with the wording if it weren’t for the fact that during that same marathon two bombs detonated killing three people and injuring hundreds more.
When Adidas realized the extent of its failure, it apologized. However, the damage to the company's reputation had already been done.

Source: chamaileon.io
Source: chamaileon.io
How to avoid this failure?
In the case of Adidas’ marathon campaign, the problem was likely caused by email automation . Adidas likely sent this same subject line to participants of many other marathons long before the 2013 bombings occurred. The context of the events added additional meaning to what was initially an innocent message.
To avoid this email mistake, always have someone review emails generated by automation tools. Always keep context in mind and make sure that the content of your email is not offensive to all or some groups of people.
For example, sending a baby registry email to clients who recently lost a baby or are struggling to have children is not appropriate.
How to avoid this failure?
To avoid making this mistake, check your email segmentation several times before sending them. Even if that means you have to double or triple check before your campaign goes live. This is helpful to make sure your email doesn't end up in the spam folder .
How to recover from this email error?
If you end up sending an email to the wrong audience segment, a well-crafted “oops” email and an added bonus can save the day and your reputation.
Once you’ve discovered the segmentation error, don’t follow your first instinct. Instead, take the time to create a well-thought-out email copy to express your apologies. You can also offer an extra bonus to soften the negative impression.
Some mistakes, like sending the wrong personalization token, are usually ignored and quickly forgotten. However, when it comes to more serious errors, like sharing offensive or inappropriate content, a blunder can cost you a lot in revenue, customers, and reputation.
This email marketing campaign by Adidas is a good example qatar mobile number example marketing done wrong. An email with an encouraging subject line “ Congratulations, you survived the Boston Marathon! ” was sent to participants of the 2013 Boston Marathon. There would be nothing wrong with the wording if it weren’t for the fact that during that same marathon two bombs detonated killing three people and injuring hundreds more.
When Adidas realized the extent of its failure, it apologized. However, the damage to the company's reputation had already been done.
Source: chamaileon.io
Source: chamaileon.io
How to avoid this failure?
In the case of Adidas’ marathon campaign, the problem was likely caused by email automation . Adidas likely sent this same subject line to participants of many other marathons long before the 2013 bombings occurred. The context of the events added additional meaning to what was initially an innocent message.
To avoid this email mistake, always have someone review emails generated by automation tools. Always keep context in mind and make sure that the content of your email is not offensive to all or some groups of people.