Questions

How do I legally sell my email list asset, and do I need to sell the business along with it?

Due to a change in circumstances I am looking to sell off the assets in my digital business. I am already in the process of selling a mobile app, but I also have an email list of 100,000 parent subscribers. I am aware that there are a lot of legalities around selling email lists, and so was wondering what is the best way of doing it. ie. does the buyer need to buy the whole business along with the email list or is there another way of doing it.

2answers

If you sell the whole business, then the email list or 'prospect list' naturally comes with this purchase.

The challenge in selling just the list is that you actually sell the list such that you're not really just selling a copy.

For example, if you sell a copy, then you may fall afoul of spam laws because those people didn't give permission for their names to go to another user in addition to you.

What you may wish to do to make it easier is to sell the list along with your account access to the mail provider, ie your Mailchimp access or whomever you use.

This way you are truly selling a business asset and not just selling someone a 'copy' of your list.

Hope that helps.

For over 250 videos and blog posts about buying and selling businesses visit www.DavidCBarnett.com or arrange a call to discuss your specific case.

Dave


Answered 6 years ago

Well... There's no legality for you, so one approach is just list your email address somewhere like Flippa.

There is legality for anyone mass mailing to the list they buy + that has nothing to do with you.

If I were buying a list, I'd only consider purchasing the domain + list, as this is the only way to have any deliverability of email sent to your list + also be in compliance with various legalities of sending to this list.


Answered 6 years ago

Unlock Startups Unlimited

Access 20,000+ Startup Experts, 650+ masterclass videos, 1,000+ in-depth guides, and all the software tools you need to launch and grow quickly.

Already a member? Sign in

Copyright © 2024 Startups.com LLC. All rights reserved.