Telemarketing has made answering the phone a bit of a chore. We all like to get the call from Aunt Liz or from a neighbor with the great news that your lost puppy, Guido was found, but what about the electronic caller that puts you on hold only to come back and tell you that your car warranty is about to expire! These calls are time consuming. However, if you’re a business owner you need a way to connect to the right customer on a regular basis. Email marketing can be your perfect solution and a way to build a lasting relationship.

You can keep your product, event or service before you customer’s eyes by sending a regular newsletter. Sending weekly newsletters can be very effective if done properly. Here are few tips to keep in mind before launching your email campaign:

1. Make your newsletter stands out by using a layout that’s pleasing on the eyes. If you’re not sure, have a few people look at the format and ask for their honest opinion. Ask them to comment on color, design and spacing of the segments. Be open to constructive criticism it can save you time and money.
2. Make sure your company name and logo are easy to distinguish. Don’t make readers search to find out who you are.
3. Give your newsletter a great title. Be creative and make a connection with your reader.
4. Let your reader know how much time it will take to read your letter. For example you can send a Monday Morning Sales Minute. This type of newsletter should take no longer than five minutes to read. It can have various segments that take a few seconds to a few minutes to read. You may want to write a more detailed letter and call it a report, such as The New Treatment Report. Your readers will know that this is a more detailed newsletter that they may even want to save as a resource.
5. While the over-all goal of the newsletter may be to sale or promote something, be sure to make it informative for the reader. If they see you or your company as an expert they will come back for more.
6. Give your readers a reason to pass it on. Try to include something for almost everyone. Your quilting newsletter may contain a special pattern as well as information on an upcoming workshop for beginners. The person reading it may not be a beginner but she may know someone who is and would like to sign up for your workshop.
7. Promote a product or someone else’s business. This will show that you have an extensive network of contacts and supporters. Some of your readers may want to become partners and also get listed in your newsletter.
8. Send it out regularly. Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly.
9. Give a sneak peak of what they can find in the next newsletter.
10. Ask your clients, customers and friends if you can add them to your newsletter list. Even friends don’t like spam.

Email marketing is an effective tool that you can use to keep your message working even when you’re not. Remember that most people get newsletters from various sources. Make sure yours is engaging and informative.