Online email marketing is a powerful way to build rapport, prove your expert status, and keep in contact with your customers. It’s the most inexpensive way to stay in front of your customers and increase sales up to twenty two percent by offering special promotions through email marketing.

This can all take place within minutes using email instead of weeks using snail mail. Remember that email is just one way to market your business. You should be using several different small business advertising strategies to maximize profits.

As a small business owner you have to build a client list. For this writing I’ll assume you collect email information from your customers. So let’s begin with how you would accomplish a successful email marketing campaign.

First, you must have an email auto-responder account (It collects the names, emails, and home addresses of your customers and automatically sends messages that you set up in advance.)

If you’re looking for a good auto-responder for basic email capture I use and recommend Aweber communications. They’re simple and inexpensive. http://www.aweber.com

Here are the keys to a successful online email marketing campaign.

The first critical step to having a successful online email marketing campaign is getting your email opened and read. Your subject line is very important. Always use your customer’s first name in the subject line followed by a short provoking message. You have the ability to place the names of your customers anywhere you want in your subject line or body copy so that it looks and sounds personal. (Example: Subject line… Frank, see if this helps!)

As long as Frank is familiar with you, he will open your email.  Using an email auto-responder you can also track how many of your customers open your emails. This allows you the opportunity to test, and make adjustments quickly. Once you find out what works best,  you can put your auto-responders on auto pilot giving you the ability to focus on other aspects of your business.

Second, make sure you also use your customers name in the salutation (Hi Karen or Dear John.) This will give them that warm fuzzy feeling like it came from a friend. Here’s the tricky part. Once you get them to open your email, what you say in your opening paragraph will make or break your online email marketing efforts. Tell your customer’s what’s in it for them. Explain why you’re sending the email, and all the benefits they’ll receive from your product or service.

Let me give you a quick example of how an online email marketing campaign might look. Let’s say my niche is golfers.

Your subject line: John, can you help me?

Hi John,

I’m sending you this special message because you are one of our best customers. I know you’ve spent a lot of money on Titleist golf balls in the past so I had to bring this to your attention immediately. I made a huge mistake and ordered too many of your favorite Titleist golf balls.

They’re not selling as I had hoped and my boss is NOT happy. I’m grasping for straws so I need your help, and I’m willing to make you an incredible offer if you act-NOW!

You’re well aware that we normally charge forty five dollars for a single dozen, but if you order today I can let you in on a tremendous give away (hopefully this won’t come out of my pay) at only thirty one dollars and ninety cents. Yes! Only $31.90 for your favorite golf ball. That’s over a 30% discount.

You’ll receive the number one ball in golf at a huge discount and the look and feel of a superior ball when playing.

There’s only one challenge. I have to sell 47 dozen more before I’m back in good graces with “the boss.”  Please help me out and order today at http://www.titleistgiveaway.com or call me directly at 800 321-4536

If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied you can return them immediately for a full 100% refund if NOT used. I’d hate to see you miss out on this once in a lifetime offer so please order a dozen or two right now while it’s on your mind. You won’t see this price ever again (I hope.)

I really appreciate your help,

Frank Overbought

P.S. I can only offer the Titleist golf balls at the low price of only $31.90 for ten more days. At this price they will go quickly, so please Call Now!

When sending online email marketing, make sure they’re short and sweet. You want your email marketing messages to sound personal, like you’re writing to a friend. The more personal they sound the better your response.

WARNING: Please don’t send a solicitation with every email. If you’re going to build a strong lasting relationship with your customers you have to give them great information along with great products and services. Your ratio should be approximately 70% advice and interesting content, and only 30% solicitations. This will keep your customers from opting out of your emails.

To your marketing success,