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To collect email addresses you can use a free cgi script such as
one offered at WorldWideMart.com. Another increasingly popular email collection technique is "one-click" script from OptInAutoMator.com.
To send out your messages you can use programs that run on your computer or you can use an online service and avoid all techie stuff. Programs such as GroupMail from Infacta.com and WorldMerge by ColoradoSoft.com are both good choices for personalizing and sending mail from your computer. Topica.com, Dundee.net, and Sparklist.com provide reliable online distribution service.
2. Offer an Email Course
There are a couple of ways this can work. The first is to offer a free email course from your site. Using an autoresponder you can deliver your material in small chunks over period of a week or two.
Alternately, you could offer a valuable freebie that requires your visitor to leave their email address before claiming it. The delivery of your e-course becomes a condition of claiming freebie.
You can introduce your products and services within context of e-course, but it should be done in a subtle and casual manner. Just make sure you are enhancing information they first sought.
Overall, idea is to create a relationship with people, a trusting bond built upon your expert status and ability to deliver truly useful information. This credibility factor can result in sales long after course is over.
3. Self-Submit Ads to Ezines
You can save some money and place ads in your own hand-picked ezines. There are literally thousands of ezines looking for advertisers, and if you've got time to browse directories such as EzineAdAuction.com or EzineLocater.com, you're bound to find many ezines that target your market.
Placing classifieds is very cost effective and if you choose well, you can see fantastic results. A few other good ezine directories are EzineHub.com, EzinesPlus.com, WebScoutLists.com, and MarketersMarket.com.
4. Advertise in Email Newsletter Networks
These services let you advertise in newsletters within their network. The amount of time you'll save is worthwhile in itself, but real value comes from being able to profile your ad for specific target groups. Some reputable networks include Opt-Influence.com, EzineAdHelper.com, PennMedia.com, SodaMail.com, and ShagMail.com.
5. Rent-a-List
You can promote your business with a rented list. Reputable companies providing this service maintain only email addresses of people who have agreed to receive commercial email. Renting a list can be quite expensive since you'll pay as much as 25 cents per address, however you can get some great results with a highly targeted list. Safe list sources include BulletMail.com, HTMail.com, PostMasterDirect.com, and HipLists.com.
6. Write Articles and Get Published
Many ezine publishers and site developers are hungry for good content. Getting published in just one high-profile ezine can give you exposure in front of thousands of potential buyers.
Some prime spots to promote your articles are IdeaMarketers.com, MakingProfit.com, and GoArticles.com. Joining a few article announcement lists from Groups.Yahoo.com is also a great way to get published. Some popular lists include Article_Announce, Free-Content, and ArticlePublisher.
In conclusion, email is without a doubt a very potent marketing tool. It should be an integral component of your marketing plan if your goal is spectacular results. And what business doesn't want that!
Brett Krkosska provides 'how-to' advice on small business and home-based work issues. Get start-up guidance, business ideas and inspiration at: http://homebiztools.com Free ezine subscription: mailto:enews@homebiztools.com
