San Antonio's small business website design and development company - Focused Idea

Email is an inexpensive, fast, and effective way to target and address your various audiences, especially when compared to direct mail, outbound call centers, and other marketing channels.

Small businesses are looking to use the Internet more effectively to reach their prospects, customers, and clients. In fact, according to Jupiter Research, 93% of U.S. internet users consider email to be their top online activity. This statistic confirms what most businesses have learned over time; people are living in their Inboxes.

Over the next several weeks, we'll share the top secrets. These are a compilation of the best practices of email marketing drawing on some of the most successful industry practitioners. You will get a clear picture of trends and patterns to aid your business in mapping a successful email marketing strategy.

Success Secret No.1

Building Your List:

Start by building an email list of existing customers and prospects.  While this is sometimes easier said than done, here are some ways to start building that list.

• Use drawings and give-aways to invite/encourage visitors to your business to sign-up on your list.
• Collect customer and prospects contact information from all your staff, sales people, professionals, etc.
• Run a traditional direct mail campaign with a promotion or incentive to sign-in at your website.
• A good mailing list is always a work-in-progress so don't wait -get started now!

Add targeted prospects to your list.

• Identify and collect contact information on people or businesses that are likely customers.
• Source lists from targeted professional and trade associations.
• Collect contact information at trade shows, meetings and other places where you are likely to meet qualified prospects.
• Remember "Garbage In, Garbage Out" (GIGO) so don't add everyone to your list -- only those who are truly qualified.