How to transfer cold contacts to opt-in marketing systems?

Transferring cold contacts to marketing systems requires a clear consent moment, not automatic migration.

Proper transfer process:

Ask for explicit marketing consent during or after sales conversation

Use subscription forms for formal opt-in

Document when and how consent was given

Explain what they'll receive and how often

Consent request approaches:

End of sales call: Would you like to receive our newsletter?

Follow-up email: We share monthly insights. Want to subscribe?

Customer onboarding: Check box for marketing communications

Preference center: Let them choose what to receive

What not to do:

Automatically add anyone who replied to cold email

Subscribe based on meeting attendance

Assume business relationship equals marketing consent

Pre-check marketing boxes in forms

Data handling:

Mark consent source in CRM (distinguishes from cold data)

Track consent date for documentation

Sync suppression lists between systems

Respect unsubscribe across all systems

The cargo may have arrived at port, but customs still requires proper documentation.