7 Tips for Creating Effective E-Mail Messages

Written by Mike Morgan


E-mail is quickly becomingrepparttar dominant form of communication inrepparttar 109631 workplace. However, because it allows speedy composition, less thought is given torepparttar 109632 message than when pen and paper, or even a typewriter, was used inrepparttar 109633 office.

Poorly composed messages reflect poorly upon both you personally and you asrepparttar 109634 representative of your business. If you are moonlighting with your own business, a poor first impression, even from something as innocent as an e-mail message, can kill your chances of winning that client.

Fortunately, there a few things you can do to ensure that your e-mail message is both professional and effective.

1. Let It Simmer: Never send a message as soon as you are finished typing it. Do something else for at least ten minute -- let it sit overnight, if possible -- then come back and reread and editrepparttar 109635 message. Looking at it again with a "fresh eye", you will be more likely spot errors.

2. Read It Aloud: Reading your message aloud allows you to catch more subtle errors, such as awkward phrasing and sounds.

Email Your Way To Success

Written by James D. Brausch


You've heard that email is one of your best marketing tools, but you are afraid of spam complaints and you are discouraged about how long it takes to build an opt-in newsletter list. Let's dispell that fear and discouragement. There are actually dozens of channels you may not have considered to send spam-free emails and dramatically boost your traffic, sales and improve your communication with those who help make you successful.

Opt-In Newsletter

This is where folks often start. That's great. I'll repeat what everyone else has already said. You need to have an opt-in newsletter. You need to haverepparttar signup box prominently displayed on your site and you need to publish a helpful newsletter aboutrepparttar 109630 topic of your market often (preferably weekly). This will help you build long-term return traffic to your site. It will also build a sense of community with your visitors. You will eventually cease to be just a website and become a person that your visitors respect and get to know.

Yes; it is discouraging when you only have a handful of subscribers atrepparttar 109631 end of your first month. Hang in there. It's all worth it. Do you think it takes too much time to write articles for your newsletter? Use articles submitted by others. More on that later...

Customers

Is it OK to email your customers? Absolutely. Is it OK to email them your newsletter? No; not without permission. Is it OK to email them an advertisement for your latest product/service. Yes; it probably is... But hold on just a minute. You have a relationship with this customer. It's far better if you recognize and respect that relationship. They purchased something from you. Why not drop them a personal note every once in awhile and ask them about your product/service. Ask them if they are happy with what they received. Ask them if there is any way you can improve your product/service. Go ahead and let them know about your newsletter. It's OK to mention your product/service. Tell them where they can find more information if you think it might help them.

These are your customers. Treat them withrepparttar 109632 respect they deserve and they will likely become repeat customers. Blast email advertisements at them and they might or might not buy that product, but you will have missed a chance to build a relationship with them.

Inquiries/Prospects

You need to have contact information on your site. This needs to include either an email address or a form to submit questions and other inquiries. People who email you are prospects. Is it OK to email your prospects? Absolutely. In fact, I recommend that you email them a response IMMEDIATELY upon receiving their inquiry. I always return prospect emailrepparttar 109633 same day.

Is it OK to sign them up for an auto-responder that blasts product information at them forrepparttar 109634 next several weeks. Yes; it probably is... But I think you are really blowing another opportunity if you do. Instead, why don't you spend some time and honestly answer their question. Once again, you have removedrepparttar 109635 illusion ofrepparttar 109636 faceless website and replaced it with a one-on-one discussion.

Feel free to send them a follow-up email in a couple of day if you don't receive an order or another question from them. Ask them if they have any other questions. It's OK to send them yet another email in a week or two. Be helpful and shoot for solving their problem or answering their question.

Link Requests

Having a resource directory of sites in your market is a great idea. It's a great way to build traffic (by trading links with other sites in your market) and a great way to provide a free resource to your own visitors. If you have a link directory, you need to have a simple form to request a listing in your link directory. That form should have an email address.

You can have a checkbox on your form to signup for your newsletter. This will increase your opt-in subscribers. You should also promptly addrepparttar 109637 listing and send them an email to tell them about it. Is it OK to try to sell your product/service in your email? Probably; but I don't recommend it. You have so many more valuable things to talk about. This is a webmaster in your topic area. They may or may not be interested in your product. They WILL be interested in their listing in your directory. Remind them ofrepparttar 109638 URL to your links page. They may also be interested in your affiliate program. Feel free to tell them about that.

Then, makerepparttar 109639 bold step to treating them like an equal. Invite them to suggest any other ways you might partner. Webmasters are a creative bunch. Reach out and make some real connections with those who request a listing in your directory.

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