An opt-in e-newsletter is one of the most effective marketing tools you can use because it is fast, personal, and inexpensive. Many small businesses are using e-mail newsletters to introduce themselves to new customers and to communicate with existing ones. By sending useful information on a regular basis, you maintain continuous contact without being annoying. In addition, an e-mail newsletter can enhance your credibility and increase sales.
Creating an E-mail Newsletter
Producing your newsletter doesn't have to be a monumental task. First, decide on the frequency of publication. This is based on how much time you have to do the work. Publishing it monthly or quarterly is probably a comfortable pace for both you and your readers. Next, produce a graphic design for your layout.
Many e-mail list management companies provide online templates for their customers. You simply type or paste in your information online and an HTML or text-based newsletter is automatically created for you.
Now it's time for the content of your newsletter. Concentrate on topics that your readers will be interested in, not only the ones that you find fascinating. Try to use real-life applications. For example, you can describe past successes and maybe even interview a customer or two. This way, you tell your audience how you solved a problem that relates to them and conveys that you are a results- oriented professional.
12 Tips for Successful E-mail Newsletters and Campaigns
1. Do not purchase, trade, or borrow an e-mail list
Sending e-mail to people who have not specifically requested to receive your mailings (opted-in) is almost always regarded as spam.
2. Make signing up and unsubscribing easy and visible
Add a sign up form to your home page or link to it and ask your customers if they would like to sign up when you speak with them in person. You may only want to ask subscribers for their e-mail address, first and last name, and one or two other questions such as their interests. This will allow you to target future mailings.
3. Use double opt-in registration
There are two standard methods for online registration, single and double opt-in. Double opt-in is the preferred method because it requires confirmation.
4. Link to your privacy policy
Place a link to your privacy policy near your list sign-up form. Your policy should describe how you handle the information you collect and how people can contact you in case they have any concerns or questions.
5. Send a welcome message to each new subscriber
Once someone subscribes, send a welcome message immediately. Include a description of what they will receive, how frequently, and how to unsubscribe.
6. Keep accurate sign-up records
Sometimes, you or your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will get a spam complaint from someone who forgot they subscribed to your list. Keep accurate records that include the date and web address from which they signed up.
7. Ask your members to opt-in again if you are using an older list
If you have not sent a mailing for a while, ask subscribers to indicate that they want to stay on your list by sending you an e-mail, clicking a link, or visiting a web page.
8. Remind people that they subscribed
Include a standard heading each time you send a message. A short note such as, "Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter, Mary," will remind recipients that they requested your mailings.
9. Avoid certain terms in your subject line and message text
If your message contains words frequently used by spammers, people will delete it and possibly file a spam complaint. ISPs often filter e-mails with suspicious subject lines and it is also illegal to use deceptive or misleading ones.
10. Include your physical address and phone number
Put your phone number and postal mailing address in your message. This allows readers to contact you to place an order or inquire about your services. In addition, federal legislation requires physical addresses on commercial e-mail messages.
11. Send your mailings regularly
Keep in touch with your subscribers frequently so they don't forget they signed up to receive your mailings. They will begin to anticipate your messages if you adhere to a schedule.
12. Reply promptly to each inquiry or spam complaint
When and if you receive an inquiry or a spam complaint, respond to it as soon as possible. Always include the subscriber's sign up information with your response.
Following these simple suggestions will help you retain your subscriber base, which is fundamental for a thriving permission-based electronic newsletter or outreach campaign.
Raj Khera is a partner in MailerMailer, a web-based e-mail list management service that provides customers the ability to create and track opt-in newsletters and e-mail campaigns. Receive a full copy of the E-mail Marketing Metrics Report: http://www.mailermailer.com/metrics.
Copyright 2005 by Raj Khera, MailerMailer LLC. All rights reserved.
![]() Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:07:34 GMT FDA to List Drugs Being Investigated - Washington Post
Washington Post - By David Brown The Food and Drug Administration will begin posting every three months a list of drugs whose safety is under investigation because of complaints brought to the agency's attention by drug companies, physicians and patients. The Basics on the Foodfight Over Irradiation 20 Drugs FDA Is Watching Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:19:40 GMT 'Bangkok Dangerous' - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - The Pang brothers remake their audacious 1999 film, but without the gritty, seamy feel of the original, it seems like just another bullet ballet out of a Steve Wynn dream. 'Dangerous' prosperous at box office An Assassin Arrives to Turn Off the Lights Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:52:03 GMT 'Wrestler' takes top honors at Venice - Variety Variety - By JEFF SNEIDER Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" has won the Venice Film Festival's Golden Lion. Pic stars Mickey Rourke as a past-his-prime wrestler on the comeback trail. 'Wrestler' wins Golden Lion "The Wrestler" wins Venice Golden Lion Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:11:44 GMT Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline - InformationWeek
InformationWeek - After 10 years as a company, Google is making the Chrome browser key to the coming of age of cloud computing, or software as a service. Mozilla updates Firefox 3.1 with Alpha 2 build Mozilla releases second Firefox 3.1 alpha Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:46:03 GMT Rival Tickets Are Redrawing Battlegrounds - New York Times
New York Times - Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin held a rally on Saturday at an airplane hanger in Colorado Springs, Colo. By PATRICK HEALY and MICHAEL COOPER Fresh from the Republican convention, Senator John McCain’s campaign sees evidence that his choice of ... On to the main event for McCain, Obama Obama, McCain to Honor Victims of 9/11 Together Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:23:34 GMT Tough Game Expected, but Penn State Makes It a Rout - New York Times
New York Times - By AP Evan Royster rushed for 141 yards and 3 touchdowns, Daryll Clark threw two scoring passes and the defense for 19th-ranked Penn State did not miss a beat without two suspended starters Saturday in a 45-14 victory over visiting Oregon State. Clark, Royster lead Nittany Lions to romp over Oregon State Big Ten early notes: Penn State makes a statement Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:17:05 GMT Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... - U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report - A Resolute Strategy on Georgia: One day after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced "at least $1 billion" in aid to Georgia, a Center for Strategic and International Studies report looks at increasing criticisms of such programs. Bisphenol A may harm fetuses, infants and children That Plastic Baby Bottle Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:01:40 GMT Increased Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Does it seem to you that when you view "openings"... Read More Ensuring requested opt-in email is delivered to subscriber inboxes... Read More Email marketing is undergoing rapid changes. Now, more than ever,... Read More Your e-commerce website relies on its customers to become returning... Read More It is just amazing. Power right at your fingertips. It... Read More * The Automatic Responder is generally referred to as an... Read More Gartner estimates that half of the 5.5 trillion emails sent... Read More There are many services available to help your with building... Read More Dear Friend:If you're out there networking and have been for... Read More I recently undertook an email advertising promotion, using a number... Read More What is an Opt-in List and what is its significance... Read More Opt in email marketing is no different than normal direct... Read More To build and maintain your opt-in list requires constant attention.As... Read More The key to the success of e-commerce is in the... Read More Have you ever heard email described as, "the killer Internet... Read More Autoresponders are, without a shadow of a doubt, one of... Read More When we speak about viral marketing, we are not talking... Read More It's happening. Again.The Internet marketing 'game' is rapidly changing... again.Email... Read More Why you need new website content.Finding or creating good content... Read More Don't overlook your current customers. After all, they're the ones... Read More If you design kitchens, is another kitchen designer your competition?... Read More Newsletters are often thought of as easy, do-it-yourself communications projects.... Read More The consumer of today is increasingly bombarded by marketing messages... Read More The internet seems to be full of hyped up business... Read More Have you ever accidentally lost an important file on your... Read More
Adsense
websites
E-Marketing Deliverability Issues
Email Deliverability Tips
Email Microtargeting
How To Use Email Autoresponders to Boost Customer Loyalty
Power at your Fingertips
Do You Ponder the Automatic Responder?
Email Communication
Build Your Opt-In List Today
The Ultimate Business Network: One Secret Power of the Masters
Email Advertising - How Ad Tracking Helped Create a Killer Ad
Having an Opt In List As an Affiliate Marketer Is Crucial
8 Tips to Increase Response in Email
Ten Tips to Building Your Opt-in List.
The Power of a Referral Script
Email Marketing Kung Fu
Autoresponders - Simple Tweaks That will Improve Your Return Rate
Viral Marketing Tips: Greeting Cards
The Game Is Changing, Are You?
Raid Your Autoresponder Attic For Content
Why Your Email Distribution List is Your Best Source of New Sales
Who Is Your Real Competition?
What A Newsletter Can Do For Your Business
How Opt-in Email Marketing Helps You In Your Online Business
The Moneys In The List - But How Much?
Are You Backing Up Your BIGGEST Asset?
One web advertising strategy that can help you become popular... Read More
The lack of an email response is an issue I... Read More
In the world of ecommerce, millions of sites are fiercely... Read More
Everyone at some point in their Internet experience has received... Read More
A strange thing has been happening to newsletters online. They... Read More
Firstly, back-end sales is eMail Marketing at its best, so... Read More
Answering emails can take up a significant portion of the... Read More
Do you read all your Ezines? Or do you file... Read More
An autoresponder course is a group of articles or information... Read More
Don't forget people are so busy now they will only... Read More
Most Websites are gathering e-mail addresses. When you submit your... Read More
Have you ever accidentally lost an important file on your... Read More
It's happening. Again.The Internet marketing 'game' is rapidly changing... again.Email... Read More
Here are 11 ways to expand your subscriber list: 1.... Read More
1. Ask visitors to subscribe to your e-zine. It's a... Read More
What if you could send out all the information that... Read More
The neurophysiological dynamics of understanding each email message are very... Read More
Everyone who has been marketing online for sometime already know... Read More
People tend to forget their subscriptions. Sometimes they don't even... Read More
I bet you want to know what that one great... Read More
Before you start an e-mail marketing campaign it is important... Read More
Another powerful reason for making the switch from using the... Read More
In the business world, the primary focus is on selling... Read More
A responsive opt in list is an unbelievably powerful money-maker... Read More
What? You are not using a Follow up Autoresponder? Then... Read More
Email Marketing |