QUOTE(usadatabase @ Jan 5 2013, 09:08 AM)
Internet marketing is the use of the web medium to provide mileage to certain products and services. Email marketing is a part of this internet marketing strategy which can help the companies and manufacturers reap rich rewards. However, simply sending out bulk e-mails will not do. It needs to be planned and executed properly in order to be effective. The basic idea behind the marketing through emails is similar to the direct mail methods. It is easy to use, quite effective and an affordable mode to keep the prospects coming back for more. When there is a need to build communication and long lasting customer relationships nothing works better compared to professionally executed emails.
The purpose of email marketing
Online businesses need to maintain constant communications with both existing and prospective buyers for survival in the highly competitive markets. Email marketing makes this possible. Businesses can track the progress in form of sales and conversion rates. The presence of an interesting looking opt-in list can initiate subscriptions. Two of the main reasons why concerns go for marketing through e-mails are for building and maintaining customer relationships and for building their mailing lists.
Type of e-mails sent
E-mail marketing involves the sending of various kinds of mails to the targeted customers. These can be either direct promotional message which is targeted towards acquiring new customers or encouraging the existing set to purchase again. Or the messages can be sent to ensure customer loyalty.
Costs involved in e-mail marketing
Compared to the traditional mail marketing, sending emails is cheaper but it is by no means a free service. Companies need to pay fees to the email brokers for getting the mailing lists or hire people to write copies, design or oversee the campaigns. Sometimes full-fledged staff is employed with a fixed salary for finding success through e-mail marketing methods.
Steering clear of spams
One of the important aspects of e-mail marketing which the marketers need to remain abreast of is spam. Getting the e-mails sent to the prospective customers labeled as spam can prove to be highly debilitating under any circumstance. This gives a bad reputation to the companies and even gets them blacklisted. If the Internet Service Provider feels that an organization is sending out spurious mails, then there mailing service can be temporarily disabled. In view of all this, it is necessary to ensure that the emails sent are within the purview of the governing spam laws.
Email Marketing is direct marketing channel, where you can build a list of your targeted customers and can maintain a constant contact with your customers and potential clients. Over 60% of internet users start their day by checking emails, therefore Email Marketing has established as a strong channel of communication, sales and marketing. Undoubtedly you can boost your business using email marketing if done properly.