| For those of you who don't feel up to the rigors of "do-it-yourself" direct email marketing, there is an alternative.
Many companies are now in the business of direct email marketing. Of course, this will cost you a little more than doing it yourself, but the time spent is minimized greatly. The cost of hiring such companies varies widely depending on which company you use.
Here are a few things to look for in a when searching for one of these companies...
Seek out direct email companies that send your message ONLY to people who have signed up to receive offers like yours. This is called opt-in direct email.
Here are some excellent companies that offer this type of opt-in direct email:
Bonusmail - Features direct response email communication from Intellipost Corp.
Bulletmail - Targets your market by email in a net-appropriate manner.
Htmail - Direct email advertising, without spamming.
PostMaster Direct - Choose from three million email address in 3,000+ categories.
Targ-It - Targ-it's claim is 100 percent opt-in email lists.
"Opt-in" email advertising can be very effective, but it all depends on the company you use. The results will vary widely, since some lists will be far more receptive to your offer than others. Remember to ask the company if they keep an active list of "remove addresses" which shows that they respect the rights of people who ask not to receive such mailings.
Opt-in Email Marketing Tips... How to "Keep in Touch"
Do you regularly contact people who have shown an interest in your products, services or opportunities? It is a fact of business that most people need to see your offer up to seven times or more before they take action. Regular contact establishes both your reputation and your marketing expertise. It is a must for every business, especially in cyberspace.
In the real world, a "quarterly mailing" of a newsletter or postcard was probably about all you could afford. After all, mailing to a few hundred or thousand prospects can generate a significant expense, especially for small or home business owners like ourselves.
But now.... You have no excuse.
Keeping in touch with your prospects in cyberspace is virtually free. It costs nothing but time and a little expertise.
Time is one commodity I cannot provide for you. (If I could, I'd brew up a batch for myself!) What I CAN share is my expertise - after all, that's what this space is all about!
So, exactly HOW does one keep in regular contact with their prospects on the internet.
Simple: Innovative email contact.
Now I'm not talking about looking through your AOL address book and manually sending messages to everyone lucky enough to still be there. I'm talking about utilizing real software and web resources that automate and professionalize what can be a very tedious task.
What are the best methods of regular contact?
As I've mentioned many times in the past, an ezine, or electronic magazine is an excellent way to establish regular contact. I publish mine weekly, but you can choose bi-weekly or monthly. An ezine is simply an electronic newsletter that shares information about the things you are marketing.
If you'd prefer not to publish an ezine, consider a tip sheet. This is similar to an ezine but smaller. In it you can offer a weekly tip about your area of expertise.
Other forms of regular contact include web surfing guides (a regular email referral to the best sites about your business) and moderated discussion groups. A moderated email discussion group is a forum you deliver by email that allows participants to post messages while you decide which posts are published in each issue.
All of the above are acceptable and effective methods of regular business contact online. They generate interest in your business and, in turn, income. This is why they are so popular! Perhaps you have an idea for a similar weekly or monthly mailing. Hey, use your imagination - you do not have to do what others are doing.
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