Debbie Weil is a corporate blogging and social media expert, online marketing consultant, speaker and author of The Corporate Blogging Book (Portfolio). She consults with large companies, CEOs and senior executives on how to create blogs that connect with customers and attract media attention.

Duly noted… I erred in a column I wrote today for BtoB E-mail Marketer Insight. I also published it in Are you getting an “F” in email marketing? in this week’s issue of WordBiz Report. (Article since revised.) Collecting email addresses with a double opt-in sign up process is *not* a requirement of CAN-SPAM regulations. It is, however, an email marketing best practice. Double opt-in means that new subscribers must confirm their opt-in to your list by replying to an automatic confirmation message sent by you. Inside the message is a uniquely coded link. This does two things: it reassures your new subscribers that they have indeed signed up. And it tells you that you’ve collected a new, valid email address. Thanks to several astute readers who pointed out my error.