by River Roshana

Created on: October 04, 2008

If you're running an online business, chances are that most of the business you get come from email marketing. Email marketing is a business tool which is equivalent to the old "making cold calls" or spontaneous prospecting. If you dislike telemarketers, you'll understand why there is the "right" and "wrong" way to go on an email marketing campaign.

First, when writing a marketing email, make it completely clear who you are and what your company represents. Give your reader the idea that you are a real person and a real company. No one wishes to be invited to purchase a product or GO to a website without knowing who exactly is sending them an email. No one likes anonymous sales emails, in fact, most anonymous emails are atually spam. Thus, always properly sign your email and identify your company.

Two, you want to make sure that your email is read right? Thus, choose an interesting "subject line" that appeals to the reader. Never leave the subject line blank or use the tricky "RE:" because you will leave the impression that you are dishonest and impolite. Optimize the first secinds when a reader decides to read your email by coming up with a subject line which is concise and relevant.

Third, you have to craft your email and make it contain all the imprtant information about the product or business opportunity you're offering. Keep in mind the call of your marketing campaign and make it fit the preview pane. If you have to have include pictures and tags, do it after you've delivered your "main message text" or at the bottom of your SHORT page.
Fourth, "give away something". This is called "sampling" so be it a printed coupon or a free ebook, make sure that you leave the impression that your company does not aim to "get" but rather to give the best products and services to the reader. A subject lone : Your Free Ebook, for example, is more bound to get read rather than RE: Business Oppotunity. RE: Free Coupon usually gets read because the reader's curiousity is "teased". The reader, in this case, would usually want to know what that "free coupon" is and will go on reading the email. If you however give out anything free, make sure that it's real. Do not offer an ebook that is totally useless or a coupn which cannot be redeemed.

Fifth, while sending bulk emails is a good idea, make sure that you do not do it everyday. It is annoying to be recieving a "sales offer" daily. Do it perhaps, twice a week atifferent times of the day.

Sixth, do not forget to ask the reciever (reader) to forward the email to a friend. For instance, if your email offers samplers include a sentence that says something like : " Want the same sample for your friend? All you have to do is forward this email and we'll give your friend the same gift!"

Seven, use "viral marketing". This means that you simply send an email and invite everyone to watch a funny video or something as pleasant. A "hit" 3-minute video with your ad at the end is one of the most effective ways people "market" their products. Those who watch your "funny video" are happy and are in a great mood when your ad appears after enjoying the laughs.

Email marketing is a marketing skill. It isn't simply sending out bulk emails to those in your list but rather attempt to get interaction going between your company and those who read your emails.

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