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Build Your E-mail List

Did you know that according to DoubleClick 69 percent of U.S. e-mail users have made purchases online after receiving permission-based e-mail marketing.

No matter how a visitor found your web site – either by way of a paid search engine placement, a newsletter, an opt-in list, a banner ad, a postcard or a printed brochure, if you do not provide a way for customers and visitors to express interest in hearing from you in the future, you are not maximizing your investment in your other marketing efforts.

Here are some ways in which you can collect e-mail addresses:

First, make it part of your everyday business. Have your sales people along with customer service and other employees collect e-mail addresses. Of course, it is important to ask permission to collect the addresses and indicate what the e-mail address will be used for.

On your web site, place your e-mail list subscription in a very visible place such as the home page and any other appropriate pages on your site. Make it easy for visitors to find and join your e-mail list. You might want to offer some sort of incentive to join your list (i.e., a sweepstakes, drawing, etc.). In addition, remind your employees to ask customers if they would like to receive your newsletters, special promotions, notification of special events, sales, etc. via e-mail.

You may also place a “join our mailing list” link in the e-mail signature of your regular correspondence. The link will then go to your home page or another page on your site where a visitor can join your list.

One thing to keep in mind is that you should make it very easy for a visitor to sign-up. Just request a very limited amount of information such as first name, last name and e-mail address.

Be sure to describe your privacy policy up front. Make sure that your subscribers understand how you will be using their e-mail address. Finally, be sure to let them know that their personal information will not be sold or traded and explain that they can decide to “opt-out” of further communications at any time.

You can make the most of every visitor and every customer by building your e-mail list, obtain permission and communication on an ongoing business.

Have questions about starting your own permission-based e-mail program?

WebsiteDesigner.Com can help you in developing your own strategy for integrating this, and other web-based tools, into your overall marketing program. Contact us at 454-1487 or 800-505-5339 for a free consultation.

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