First of all - keep in touch with your customers! One of best ways to do this is with a newsletter. Today it’s easier than ever to have a newsletter – use email. If you don’t have your customer’s email addresses already, start asking for them when they pay for something at cash register. Give them an incentive for signing up for your free newsletter – maybe a free gift or a small discount or even a prize draw they can be entered into. Use your newsletter to let customers know about sales in advance, extend special invitations to past customers only and open store during non-regular hours. A popular sporting goods store where I live does this twice a year - and lineups to get in weave through store parking lot and people talk about sale for weeks – before and after it happens! This is a GREAT publicity AND sales tool. Add other incentives in newsletter like: a 10% discount for past customers on a new product line, or offer an old customer a 5% discount on their next purchase if they bring a new customer to a special sale. Give customers a gift for every referral they send to you.

I began my "AKB MarCom Tips" e-zine three years ago, when I'd just started my copywriting and marcom consulting business. I wanted an easy way to stay in touch with past associates, current clients, prospects ... just about everyone! And I wanted them to realize I really knew my stuff about writing compelling copy for Web sites, ads, brochures, etc. I wanted to be seen as an "expert" in their eyes, to encourage them to hire me and/or refer me to possible clients.

Well, it's worked far better than I'd imagined. Each year I gain tens of thousands of dollars in new business based on leads from my e-zine alone. And if you need to promote YOUR business (and/or yourself) to others, I highly recommend publishing your own e-zine.

Here are 5 darn good reasons why you shouldn't wait any longer:

1. An e-zine is a very CREDIBLE and SUBTLE way to promote your services or products.

Instead of simply *saying* how great you are (as in traditional advertising), an e-zine lets you *show* how great you are by sharing your expertise with your readers. (As my old journalism professor used to say, "Show me, don't just tell me!") You're avoiding simple bragging, and are instead offering useful information that demonstrates your knowledge. Bravo!

2. Publishing an e-zine positions you as an EXPERT in your field.

By showcasing your knowledge and skills, you're likely to attract more clients. And by sharing what you know well, you're saying, "Hey, I know my stuff! I'm an expert! You should listen to me."

And don't be scared of word "expert" -- you don't have to know EVERYTHING in world about your topic to call yourself an expert -- you just need to know a lot more than most people. If you make a living doing what you do, you're likely an expert in your own right. If you're still uncomfortable with that term, try on word "resource." Okay, feel better? ; )