It’s a fact; email marketing is extremely cost effective and perhaps the single most powerful marketing tool available to small businesses. This is because it provides predictable results and costs little or nothing to use!

Here are just a few things for you to consider, before you start using email marketing.

First off, I strongly recommend that you build your own email database (or e-list) rather than buying one from one of those list broking companies. The best way to start building your subscriber list, is to ask all your existing clients and contacts if you can have their email address!  Then, ask if you can contact them from time to time via email with a newsletter or special offers or announcements.  This will get you your initial list and give you something to get started with.

The best way to gather email addresses is via your website or blog.  You need to make it as easy as possible for people to give you their email details, and offer them something valuable in return for joining your subscriber list.  For example, when I was writing my newsletter, I used to offer a free ebook.  I advise that you only ask for people to give you their email address and not their whole life story.  Make sure you let people know you will never, ever pass on their email details to ANYONE!

Quality is key, so ONLY send people valuable information (like this top 10 guide) or a genuine special offer.  I also recommend you only send one message every 7 to 14 days.  That’s what I did with my newsletter, because people hate being inundated with information; even if it’s great information!  As a direct result, very few people asked to be removed from my subscriber list and it grew very quickly.

Finally, you must ask your readers to forward your emails on to their contacts.  If the content is good enough, they will – but never assume anything, always ask them (nicely.)

I also recommend you learn and abide by the rules governing email marketing in your country.