If a prospect asks how you obtained their contact information, here is how to handle it professionally.
What to say
Be transparent. You can explain that:
Their professional contact information was sourced from publicly available data, including information they have made available on professional networks and company websites.
The data was obtained through a B2B data enrichment platform (Cleanlist) that aggregates publicly available professional data.
You are reaching out for legitimate business purposes.
Sample response
"Your contact information was sourced from publicly available professional data. We use a B2B enrichment platform that aggregates information from professional networks and public business directories. If you would like to be removed from our outreach or have questions about your data, please let us know and we will process your request immediately."
If they want to be removed
You should:
Immediately add them to your internal suppression list.
Remove them from any active sequences or campaigns.
Confirm the removal to the person who requested it.
If they want to be removed from Cleanlist's data sources, direct them to email [email protected].
Best practices for outreach
Always include an easy opt-out or unsubscribe mechanism.
Be upfront about who you are and why you are reaching out.
Respect any opt-out request promptly.
Follow email deliverability best practices to avoid being flagged as spam.