Random spam is never welcome. But when it comes from a company that I co-founded, I think it’s worth criticizing in writing.
Edgeio’s classified listing platform has been doing well. We use it for our CrunchBoard job board, and many other blogs and websites have begun to use it, too. The company recently started reaching out to bloggers to discuss business development deals. Which is fine. But what isn’t fine is random mass emails out to top bloggers (including our own Duncan Riley) to pitch the product.
I emailed Keith Teare, my co-founder and the company’s CEO, who says this was a simple mistake and was only meant to be sent to people they’ve already had direct contact with. That’s fine, but as I said I’m going to call them on this since I’m a stockholder and my name is associated with the company.
Part of my promise to readers is to call things like I see them. Conflicts of interest are disclosed on our about page. And when a company I’m involved with does something I think is particularly smart or not so smart, I will point it out here on TechCrunch. File this one under “not so smart.”
Hey Mike, how do you tell from a biz dev mail and mass email?
I always felt the line is blurry in the blogosphere. Perhaps this will help clarify.
I’ve used Crunchboard, powered by Edgeio, and I must say that the experience stunk. I found the Edgeio system to be clunky, and the job listing on Crunchboard yielded zero qualified candidates, while Craigslist, LinkedIn, and jobs.joelonsoftware.com all generated great candidates.
I sent a constructively critical note directly to the Crunchboard staff and did not receive a reply. Spend your money elsewhere.
Michael,
I’m happy to see that you cover the good and the bad, even if it is a company you are involved in. Really great to see.
S
I guess I missed the “not so smart” part of this story. I’m with Zaid, how does this differ from a bus dev email? In your ideal world, how would an appropriate cold-call email work? Or does everything revolve around existing contacts…
If it was really a mistake, couldn’t they just send emails to acknowledge and apologize for it? It seems like as long as this was a one-time error there isn’t really a reason to blow the whistle on them for it. It makes sense to be cautious about your reputation, particularly if they claim it’s a mistake and continue to do it, but seeing “Edgeio Spams Bloggers: Bad Idea” in a feed reader without any indication that it was a mistake in the title is misleading/unnecessary.
Is Edgio making any money? Haven’t heard much of it of late.
Guys don’t even discuss this. This is an ad in disguise. He just made up some childish excuse to advertise the site to the many people that read this site. I’m mean really who cares if they sent an email or not. It’s childish.
This is much worse than the email. Shame on you!
Do you want a medal? Your nose is brown… Whats wrong with you…
You founded it, yet you sound so detached. I can’t wait till it goes IPO so I can invest.
Steve Jagger are you blind. Don’t you see what he is doing. It’s unethical! He thinks were all stupid.
I’m with you laurence, but stop posting, jeez.
You’re so full of crap Mike Arrington.
I also agree with Zaid.
Ooo…look at me, I’m such an angel…and I think I’m so clever. “I think edgeio needs some air time…hmmmm, what to dooooo…..aha! hahaha, I got it! All I have to do is come up with some shady excuse so I can make a blog post about my Edgeio! Damn I’m so damn smart!”
Come on Mike you goof ball, who do you think you’re kidding? That’s clearly a newsletter. Couldn’t you have though up better crap?
Doesn’t really look like spam to me. Certainly not newsworthy spam at any rate.
Wow look! What a shame! Michael Arrington is using HIS website to talk badly about a company HE co founded! Instead of writing about so many possible other things to promote Edgio, he chooses to write something bad about his company and damage its reputation in the eyes of hundreds of thousands bloggers and webmasters. Right Laurence? Keep in mind that this is a guy who made this little blog an international destination, not a dumbass who has no brain, no balls, and nothing better to do. Get a life guys and stop ”LOLing” at every post made here by a person 1000 times smarter than you. Stop being losers or just go the hell away and never come back.
what is wrong with the people that comment on some of these stories? these comments are like some daytime soap opera gone wrong.
grin and bare it eh!
Send out mass mails and post an apology. Well done.
The product/company will fail. It’s pretty easy to see from here. Sorry.
Hmmm. I don’t even know what to say. Something is fishy here. This is a kind of reverse psychology. Mike, I don’t think you badmouthing edgeio. Your post actually promotes them in a positive light.
I agree with 7 and 21. It seems to me that this is a way to give edgeio some publicity (it even has their marketing pitch embedded)…
Sorry guys, I promise to never again post about Edgeio
Nice drama Mike, I guess you should start writing for movies in drama genre
I guess Mike can’t win.
I tired to get him to write about our new search engine last week (you should check it out. it is awesome). Now he slams us for a genuine bizdev email (badly crafted I’ll agree) that was sent to what – about 100 people – as spammers and you think its a master plan to promote edgeio. Sheeeesh!
Keith Teare
ceo/founder.
Smart way to advertize your company…
What world does MA think he is living in, this email is like any other BD email, it says “hey I have a great product, it seems to me there might be a fit, are u interested”. This practice has been around for years, when TC becomes tired, give it 12 months, then MA will doing the same thing as Edgeio, just as he did at Real-Names. Mike, your blog, your opinions, say what u like, but frankly this one is naive. Be original, report on stuff that we care about or not at all.
You indeed seem to be a little hard calling this spam.
I would say this content is quite targeted to the people it was send to and should not be considered spam at all.
Then again this remains something you can argue about forever
I think the idea of Edgeio is needed, I’m doing something similar, but the execution has been…hmm..not the best example. I think its a product of a bit too much hype and too much money. I’ve always thought that organized PR is a waste of time…spend time on your product and pay attention to your customers.