When using this technique, keep these cautions in mind:

1. ALWAYS give recipients an opportunity to be taken off your e-mail list.

While customers and clients may be willing to receive initial requested information from you, don't assume that they now "belong" to you. Make sure you include a message at bottom of eacj e-mail you send stating how they can request to be taken off list of future e-mails. Say something like, "Occasionally, we like to send our e-mail subscribers special discounts and send notifications of upcoming sales events. If you do NOT want to receive these notices from us, you can request to be removed from our e-mail list by ." And, when recipients request to be taken off your list, take them off. Don't send another e-mail explaining why they should stay on!

2. YOU perform initial action.

Make sure that work to get information is done by you, not your prospective clients/customers. For instance, you may have a Web site from which they can access information. Don't simply refer them to Web site. That would mean they'd have to type in your site address, find page where information is located and then request it. Likewise, if, like me, you use autoresponders to disseminate information, don't just give them e-mail address of autoresponder. If they have already initiated a phone call, they've done their part. This is still a customer service action and you need to be one doing work. All they should have to do is open their e-mail. Besides - asking for (and getting) that e-mail address is critical to building your follow-up list.

3. Make an offer ONLY when you have an offer.

Refrain from bombarding your new e-mail list members with offer after offer after offer. That's just downright spamming them and before long you'll see list dwindle.

Using this e-mail technique will:

· INCREASE your responsiveness to your clients and customers. You've just given them an IMMEDIATE response to their request. · DECREASE time it takes you or an employee to serve your clients and customers. You give personal and prompt service without taking up too much time on one customer. · BUILD a prospect and client list for future follow up and SALES! As your e-mail list grows you will be able to send new product/service announcements, online coupons, and open house invitations, or use it to take surveys, and conduct customer preference profiles, research, start an e-zine, etc.

Some businesses are completely changing way they get information into their customers' hands by using this e-mail method. I've worked with clients to expand this technique to include capability to send complete company brochures and catalogs. It's also a great way to build a list BEFORE developing your e-zine.

How you use e-mail to streamline your business is up to you. You can keep it simple or you can turn technique into a sophisticated (low cost) automated customer service system!

Take a few minutes to determine how e-mail can become an economical way for your business to increase customer service. They could be best few minutes you've spent today to improve communication -- and profits -- tomorrow!

For example, owner of a company selling sales leads to small businesses noticed that many of her clients were network marketers or real estate agents. She created a customized web site for each of these 2 niche markets.

The two sites looked similar. But their content was different. A visitor to either site could assume lead service applied exclusively to their industry. She claims her sales increased by almost 20 percent when she targeted these 2 niche markets.

3. Keep Adding New Products And Services

A decline in sales of one product can devastate your business if you only offer one or two products. But it will not have much impact on you if you are still getting sales for a selection of other products.

Keep increasing number of products and services you offer to customers. These additional products and services should be closely related to those you already sell.

For example, if you sell health products, find additional health products or services you can offer. If you offer residential lawn care, look for a way to offer additional services that help homeowners maintain their property.

Clever competitors and new technology cause constantly changing marketing conditions that will reduce effectiveness of your current marketing efforts. Use these 3 strategies to overcome this threat - and continue growing your business.

Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses like yours find new customers and increase sales. He just released a New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast With Simple Postcards and several other publications to help small businesses grow and prosper. For more information: Email: BobLeduc@aol.com Subject: "Postcards" or call: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV