Masterful E-mail Marketing - Answering Service Resources

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Masterful E-mail Marketing

Masterful E-mail Marketing

There are more than 100 million e-mail users in the United States. Imagine how many of them might need YOUR services or products. Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands? Millions? (Go ahead... dream big!)

I encourage you to try reaching some of that audience with targeted e-mail marketing. If you've never tried this marketing method, it might sound a little scary. But in reality, it's quick, efficient, and best of all, FREE! To begin a simple e-mail marketing campaign, ask yourself:

? What products or services do I have to offer? What are my areas of expertise?

? What target group of people might buy them?

? Who is in my current database?

? How can I increase the size of my database and include those in my target audience?

As you brainstorm how you could increase the size of your database, don't forget to include your friends, family, past work associates, hair dresser, current business partners (accountant, banker, attorney, printer, etc.) and anyone who has expressed an interest in your business. Also include members of any professional associations you belong to, plus local community leaders. Send it to everyone and anyone who might someday need - or know someone else who needs - your services. Include your current clients and prospects.

Your e-mail content might be as simple as a short note telling potential buyers about what you offer. Or, even better, offer a special deal. To establish yourself as an expert in your field, consider writing a short article or tips about your area of expertise. The message doesn't have to be long - just make sure it's factual, well- written, and to the point.

As you begin to feel more comfortable with e-mail marketing, consider making it a regular part of your business. Research has shown that it takes the average consumer at least 5-7 points of contact before they make a purchase. Sending e- mails on a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis will establish you as an expert and keep you in the forefront of your target market's mind.

You could offer a free e-zine (short for "electronic magazine") full of great tips. It doesn't have to be formatted in HTML (which include colors and pictures such as in this e-zine) - simple text e-zines are just fine, too. (More on that subject in a future issue!) Think about all the places you could advertise your free e-zine: on your web site, on all your written communications, at your seminars and expos, in your e- mail signature and voice mail messages. (To avoid irritating those who would rather not receive your e-mails, never sign people up for a subscription without their permission and be sure to include an easy way for them to "opt out" of your e-mail campaigns.)

Give it a try! Sending an e-mail with the intent to increase your business is a great move. E-mail marketing is easy, fast, and inexpensive. It attracts new customers and builds buyer loyalty. And best of all, by 2005, e-mail marketing will be a $7 billion (yes, billion!) per year business. Wouldn't you like a little piece of that pie?

Sara Pedersen, author of the FREE e-zine "The Marketing Fairy's Guide to Simple Self Promotion," is a professional organizer and marketing specialist. She helps small business owners make their marketing dreams come true. Sign up today at http://www.time2organize.net to receive your FREE monthly subscription.

In The News:

Responsys Shares the Secrets to Better Response Rates at DMA08
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - 4 hours ago
Mr. Pollard recently joined Responsys as senior strategic consultant where he guides Responsys clients in developing email marketing and lifecycle messaging ...

WSI Internet Marketing Expert Educates Local SMBs in Missouri
PR.com (press release), NY - 5 hours ago
The WSI event also featured other keynote speakers who shared their expertise in email marketing and social media. Ron Adelman, WSI Internet Consultant, ...

Email marketing 'can be a killer app when used cleverly'
Business Strata - Business News, UK - Oct 10, 2008
An expert has claimed that email marketing can prove to be "a killer app" when used in a clever manner. However, Matthew Kelleher, commercial director at ...

PR Web (press release)
eWORDofMOUTH Joins Forces with iSurfAmerica to Expand Nationwide
PR Web (press release), WA - 5 hours ago
The eWORDofMOUTH service features both email marketing and text messaging communications to make it easy for businesses to acquire and retain motivated ...

Search, email marketing 'should be combined'
Digital Response Media, UK - Oct 10, 2008
Businesses would do well to combine their search and email marketing campaigns as the two channels are the most used by consumers. ...

Email marketing 'will avoid social networking'
One Stop Click, UK - Oct 10, 2008
Firms looking to take advantage of email marketing are likely to avoid social networking campaigns during the current uncertain economic climate as their ...

MailChimp First to Offer iPhone and Yahoo! Mobile Access for Email ...
MarketWatch - Oct 7, 2008
The foundation of every product and service we develop is to make the email marketing experience easier for the user, and these mobile applications are yet ...

E-mail marketing secrets and lies
BtoB Magazine, NY - Oct 9, 2008
By Karen J. Bannan This week Forrester Research released a new report, â€œBenchmark Your Email Organization,â€ that details some surprising e-mail marketing ...
MarketingSherpa Releases 6th Edition of Benchmark Guide for Email ... PR.com (press release)
all 2 news articles

StevenPR Acquires E-Mail Marketing Firm and 70 Million Opt-In E ...
MarketWatch - Oct 6, 2008
StevenPR is helping businesses succeed with their e-mail marketing campaigns by collecting approved e-mail addresses for its growing database. ...

Site Search, SEO and Email Marketing Ranked Top Three E-Commerce ...
MarketWatch - Oct 6, 2008
... search engine optimization (SEO) and email marketing as the most important e-commerce technologies helping to promote their online businesses, ...

email marketing - Google News

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