The lack of cost for sending is often named as a key problem with email spamming. With traditional junk mail, a direct marketer has to make sure that offer & targeting are good enough to more than make up for costs of mailing. With email spam, anything goes, often in form of shady deals and outright scams.

But besides scams and other legal consequences of sending spam, one very important consequence is always overlooked: credibility of sender. Entire companies have had their credibility ruined for sending spam, faster that you can hit "Send". So think twice before you send unwanted email to that address on your computer - it might mean end of your business.

Good Luck, Happy email marketing, and have fun! May you be prosperous in everything you do. Anna-Marie Stewart -=-=-=-=-=-=-Resource Box-=-=-=--=-=-=-=- How to easily avoid those contrived Scams, Shams, and Spam. Yes; without spending your Hard won money with every so called Guru. Be far better informed and prepared With This Brand New, Huge money Saving Free E-Book! Now You can quickly learn how to run a real home spun business without all Hype. http://annamarketing.com/pops/splash.html Subscribe to Not Just Another Ezine http://annamarketing.com ============================================= This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine, web site or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes to article and RESOURCE BOX MUST be included. (c) 2002-2004 AnnaMarketing.com. All Rights Reserved

4. Differentiate yourself.

How are you better than your competitors? What is different about your company? Is your product or service a higher quality than your competitors’? Is it less expensive? Do you have better customer service? Does your product last longer? Require fewer repairs? Why do your customers choose you instead of your competitor?

What problems do you solve? Make a list of your product’s features and benefits. Are they different than those of your competitors?

Try to describe your business in one short and succinct “tagline,” or positioning statement. This should be a clear statement of what you do and what you stand for in no more than eight or ten words. Coca-Cola, for instance, says Coke is “The Real Thing.” Once you create this short positioning statement, create your 30-second sound bite, also known as your “elevator speech,” to use when you introduce yourself in public. This is also what you will use to help you focus your marketing efforts.

5. Create a marketing plan and execute it.

Now that you know who you are, who your competitors are and how you are better than them, you can create a roadmap to follow—a marketing plan for your company. Remember to include measurable short- and long-term goals, specific strategies, and appropriate tactics to reach your goals. Then, put your plan into action and evaluate results, making adjustments as required.

(c) 2003 by Lois Carter Fay. All rights reserved.