You DO Have an Email List Dont You?

No matter what type of business you operate, you need an email list. Not just any list, preferably an opt-in list. If it's a double-opt-in list, it's even better. Why?

Because your list keeps you in touch with your clients and prospects; it develops a relationship of trust; people buy from people they trust; and finally, it's a very cost effective way of marketing.

Take this example of a hairdressing business with a proprietor we'll call Sophie. Sophie obtains the email addresses of her clients in her database along with details of the types of services they generally require eg, perm, haircut, shampoo etc.

She and her team know the periods between services so, when clients are due for another hairdo, she sends them an email reminder suggesting they ring a day or two in advance to ensure a booking. Clients respond.

Occasionally, she has a low demand day. Her paid staff is going to stand around without a full day of work.

Sophie goes through her database and finds several clients who would normally require a new hair job around about that time. She sends them a short email offering several booking times and a small discount if they accept.

Bingo! Instead of four hours without bookings, she now has three hours taken up.

This is only one of many examples. Veterinary practices email people about their animals' vaccinations; dentists about follow-up work; hardware stores about specials and so on.

If you haven't got and maintain an email list, you are missing out on opportunities, including some new ways to make money. Also, if you send letters to clients/prospects now, you can cut out the expense of postage, stationery, lodgement, printing and other associated costs.

This is all good stuff, however, your list has to be obtained and managed in accordance with the various Spam legislation. That's why you must get people to opt-in and agree to receive email from you before you send it.

Double opt-in occurs when people subscribe to your list from your Internet site and you send them a message seeking assurance that they ... and not someone pretending to be them ... actually completed the subscription. When they reply, the deal is done.

This can all be done automatically saving you a tremendous amount of time and money.

So, if you haven't got an email list, what will you do about it today?

Copyright Robin Henry 2005

Robin Henry is an educator, human resources specialist and Internet marketer whose firm, Desert Wave Enterprises, helps individuals and businesses improve their performance by using smart processes, smart technology and personal development. He lives at Alice Springs In Central Australia. Visit Desert Wave Enterprises to read more about email.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


3 Simple Steps on how to Get Unlimited E-Mail Accounts for Pennies a Day

As an Online Home Based busy owner you will reach... Read More

Email Marketing Best Practices

Now that we've explored the importance of sending permission-based email,... Read More

Email Marketing Kung Fu

Have you ever heard email described as, "the killer Internet... Read More

Just Write an Email

How did you sell your last product? Imagine that I... Read More

Real Estate Agents ? What Type of Content Should You Include in Your Newsletter?

One of the biggest concerns for Realtors who publish their... Read More

Guidelines For A New Sending Paradigm - Part 1 of 5 - Treat Email as a True Risk and Cost Center

Sustainable email sending programs in an inherently hostile environment now... Read More

Protect Yourself from Being Accused of Sending SPAM

Email is a vital part of doing business online, but... Read More

E-mail Whitelist Etiquette

A big-time dilemma is brewing online. In an understandable attempt... Read More

The Lazy Mans Way To Building a Massive List In Minimum Time

As you read every word of this article, you'll be... Read More

Organizing Your Mailing Lists For Your Email Promotions

With all the safelists and different methods for using them,... Read More

Using Emotional Triggers in Ad Writing

Writing ads for either your own products or affiliate products... Read More

Essential Rules For Effective Email Marketing

If you want an email campaign to succeed, you don`t... Read More

Is Your Autoresponder Truly Promoting Your Company?

Getting other people to promote your web site is one... Read More

What Do Your E-Mail Messages Say About You?

There probably isn't a business person alive who hasn't at... Read More

Dirty Secrets Of Co-Registration Email Lists

Years ago, I listened to Internet marketing "gurus" share that... Read More

Automatic Responder - The Secret of Super Affiliates Success

Congratulations, you just made a sale!Congratulations, you just made a... Read More

Email Microtargeting

Email marketing is undergoing rapid changes. Now, more than ever,... Read More

Online Marketing Through Newsletters

So you want to start publishing an online newsletter? Why?... Read More

Choose The Right Business For You In Less Than 15 Minutes

3 Characteristics Of "The Right Business" ModelThe business must service... Read More

Why Does Your Business Need An Autoresponder?

Suppose you have a website with 500 visitors a day,... Read More

14 Ways To Persuade Your Web Site Visitors To Give You Their Email Address

1. Ask visitors to subscribe to your e-zine. It's a... Read More

14 Ways To Persuade Your Web Site Visitors To Give You Their Email Address

1. Ask visitors to subscribe to your e-zine. It's a... Read More

The Magic Of Email

These days email is taken for granted and used perhaps... Read More

Choose Your Email Marketing Software Wisely

Successful online business can't be led without email marketing. Many... Read More

Seven Tips To A Perfect Email Ads

Everyone at some point in their Internet experience has received... Read More

Confessions Of An Info Junkie

I love the Internet! Information about any topic that piques... Read More

Are You Making These Email Mistakes?

Every day, I receive at least 300 emails. I will... Read More

Dont Attach That!

The topic of sending attachments by e-mail is not one... Read More

The 12 Most Common Newsletter Design Mistakes

Your newsletter's success depends on its design. An attractive, easy... Read More

Masterful E-mail Marketing

There are more than 100 million e-mail users in the... Read More

Email Marketing 101 - What You Must Know Before Starting an Email Marketing Campaign

Before you start an e-mail marketing campaign it is important... Read More

12 Tips For Writing Winning E-mail

Learning to write more effective e-mail is a valuable skill... Read More

Email Marketing Essentials

Perhaps the most important component in turning visitors to your... Read More