Internet Business Blog

Running a strong email campaign in conjunction with your internet business or website is, in my opinion, a must. Now, I’m not talking about spamming customer email addresses with useless information or annoying current and former clients with every minute detail about your business - I’m talking about giving interested customers information that they can use (to increase your sales!) and to politely remind your clients why they chose to use your services in the first place, and why they should do so again in the future.

I had my first run in with email marketing nearly two years ago during my initial research phase for a start up that I had created. This start up eventually turned into my greatest business accomplishment to date - part of which I owe to creating a strong email campaign. As far as the research process was concerned, I found it to be slightly intimidating because during this time I was unable to find solid, unbiased information about the email marketing process and because there is a plethora of email marketing software available to us. I was overwhelmed with options to say the least.

I am going to cut through the bull and tell you exactly what worked for me. The reason I want to do this is because not only did no one do it for me, I know how financially rewarding establishing and maintaining an email marketing campaign can be.

My Top 3 Reasons to Run an Email Campaign

1. It’s a Cost Effective way to reach out to your existing customer and viewer base. Everyone’s heard the phrase “It’s cheaper to keep old clients than gain new ones” and that couldn’t be further from the truth. It is indeed cheaper because not only do you already have their eyes and ears, you have their trust as well which is very important on the internet.

2. It’s an Easy Method of Internet Marketing. Writing a newsletter or email can be time consuming when done correctly, but it isn’t exactly brain surgery. These days, running an email campaign is as easy as creating an account with Constant Contact, entering your list of email addresses, creating an email via the template wizard, and clicking on the send button.

3. It’s 100% Effective. The reason I say this is because I’ve found that when running an email campaign I was able to boost my previous business’s sales by nearly 100% for up to several days after the email or newsletter went out to customers and interested visitors.

That isn’t to say that there aren’t a few potential negatives associated with running an email marketing campaign. First, you need to make sure that you have enough email addresses of visitors or clients who would be interested in your services, which can be easier said than done. However, this isn’t a huge deal because the larger email marketing management sites such as Constant Contact (see below) have free trials available to you while you build your list, develop your email copy, and polish your skills. Second, not all websites really fit the mold. If you aren’t selling a product, service, or advertising space – an email marketing campaign may not be for you. And Third, it can be time consuming when done correctly. By time consuming, I do not mean slaving over your computer monitor all hours of the night but it will take a few hours to create a truly effective email or newsletter. If you do not have the time this can be resolved by hiring an Internet Marketing Specialist or delegating the task to an employee.

Still Interested?
The Email Marketing Campaign software that I recommend is called
Constant Contact. I have used them for nearly two years with excellent results. The process is entirely web-based so you can log into your account from anywhere with an active internet connection which is a huge plus. If you would like to tinker around I highly suggest clicking their banner below and signing up for a free trial. If you own a business or website and feel that an email or newsletter campaign would benefit you, now is the time to get started!

As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me via the contact form or leave a comment below. I do my best to respond as quickly as possible.

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One month ago, I posted an entry criticizing the owners of a niche YouTube-like contest website called FootyCS, which awards prizes to top video authors in relation to surfing, skating, and snowboarding.

The owners of this site were on a documentary television show on The Learning Channel (TLC). The hour long broadcast was to show their business from concept to launch, but instead showed their lack of business skill and rookie status in the world of Internet Business.

In my previous post, I feel that I may have been too harsh on the owners of Footy CS. We all know that being an entrepreneur is difficult, and bringing a website from development to a finished process creating actual revenue is certainly no easy task – especially for two as green as they were. Now, it is true, they did just about everything wrong (what was shown on TV anyhow), but sometimes that is the only way that some people learn. I know that I always learn best from making mistakes, and wish only the best for both them and their business.

That being said, instead of picking them apart (again) maybe I should offer up a few points of advice for them and other aspiring internet business entrepreneurs.

1. “Web 2.0” as it is called is now in full swing, and there’s no time like the present to start a website or bring your current brick and mortar business online. Even though web development can be costly, that doesn’t mean that it should break your checkbook and you certainly shouldn’t dip into your 401k, IRA, or any other savings or retirement fund. Find the funding a different way. If you have to, work a part time job through the development process. Taking risks is fine and sometimes it has to be done, but DO NOT jeopardize your future like that.

2. If you don’t have the skill to design, develop, and market your website yourself, find someone experienced who can. Do not hire a friend who knows how to work MySpace or 16 year old neighbor. To build a professional site you need to work with a professional, period. Always shop around, and in our business, you need to be smart or you will be sorely disappointed with the end result.

3. Running a great website is work, and will continue to be work for as long as you own it. There’s really not much more to say about that, and it’s the honest truth. You can certainly still get rich off of the internet, it happens every single day – but we all have something in common, we want it. When I say that we want it, we really want it. You have to be fully committed. This doesn’t mean that it has to be a full time operation, but it does mean that you should be working on it as much at you can.

I truly believe that in life nothing worth having comes easy, and with the internet that couldn’t be further than the truth. Be smart, do your research, and make millions!

If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me via the contact form link at the top of this blog.

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So I finally caved in and upgraded my two year old flip phone into a heavy duty, top of the line PDA known as the Mogul. I’ll post up a real review soon as I really haven’t had enough time to play with it beyond iGoogle, Weather Forcasts, and Solitaire.

What I can tell you is that I’m very impressed thus far and even though it has a hefty price tag (around $500), It comes fully loaded with a charger, bluetooth headset, memory card, and more right out of the box.

As far as speed are concerned, it has a 400mhz processor - which is pretty darn sweet.

Here’s what Mobile Tech Review had to say:

“A very strong offering from Sprint, and a worthy, if not overdue, successor to the PPC-6700. The Mogul is manageable in size, powerful in terms of processing performance and storage memory and it has fast EVDO (with a promised upgrade to the faster Rev. A) for pleasingly fast data performance. WiFi will keep you connected when not in an EVDO coverage area (also handy if you turn down Sprint’s data plan), and Bluetooth 2.0 means you can use your favorite Bluetooth headset and car kit with the phone. We also like the fact there’s a Java runtime included, previously a rarity on CDMA Windows Mobile phones. There’s a lot to like about this PDA phone and our only complaints are the lack of an MMS client and the mediocre camera shots.”

Like I mentioned before, I’ll have to either create a new blog entry or come back to this one after I’ve had some more time to play around and really put this device to the test.

Does anyone else use this Phone/PDA? And if so, how do you feel it compares to the Blackberry or Treo?

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