When can a cold contact become part of marketing lists?

Transitioning cold contacts to marketing lists requires explicit permission, not assumed consent.

When transition is appropriate:

Contact explicitly opts in to receive marketing

Clear consent is obtained through a form or explicit request

Relationship progresses to customer status with appropriate disclosures

When transition is problematic:

Adding to marketing list because they replied to cold email

Assuming a meeting request means marketing consent

Automatically subscribing anyone who engaged

No clear consent moment in the relationship

Best practice approach:

Keep cold contacts in separate database or segment

Ask explicitly if they'd like to receive ongoing communications

Document consent source and date

Provide clear opt-out even for transitioned contacts

Legal considerations:

GDPR: Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, unambiguous

CASL: Express consent required for ongoing marketing

CAN-SPAM: More permissive but still requires opt-out

A business relationship started through cold outreach doesn't automatically grant marketing permission. Entering the harbor doesn't grant citizenship.