Email is a wonderful thing. It costs next to nothing and can be sent almost anywhere in the world in a few minutes. When email is used properly, it can help move your business forward. When it is not used properly, it can hurt your business. Here are a couple of ways that email can hurt your business

Perhaps the most critical step in guaranteeing the successof your e-mail promotions is to send your messages to atargeted list of opt-in subscribers who have specificallyrequested to receive information on a particular topic fromyou. That's your "in-house" email list. Sooner or later, you'll face the same challenge: how tobuild a list of qualified, targeted prospects from scratch.

Before the advent of email most of us, other than sending out cards for special occasions, would write very few letters. If we did write a letter, it was carefully prepared, and considerable thought went into it. Today, with computer access available to most people, we have tremendously increased our amount of written communication, and sometimes fall into a trap. There are seven words that will serve as our guide and help us to communicate more effectively.

Answering emails can take up a significant portion of the time you have to do business. Many times the same set of questions are being asked over and over again. Haven't you ever wished that you could have a simple and easy way to respond to your customers automatically? Email autoresponders are the answer!

What does the flu have to do with building your list? Well a lot! A flu, just like any other virus is able to spread itself to anyone it comes in contact with. And when we are building are email lists, we want this same type of viral effect to take place. This viral effect is known as viral marketing.

Most people online are very familiar with the Nigerian Email Letter Scams. They've victimized thousands over the years and continue to do so. I am certain you've received many in your inbox over the course of your online experience. They are easy to recognize to the experienced. But if you are new online check out the following signs. These words are usually included (IN BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS) in the subject line. DEAR SIR/MADAM YOUR SOLICITATION

Just because you can communicate with hundreds of people virtually via email, doesn't mean you should. The phone still exists because it's a valuable tool -- especially for small business owners. Over and over again in the places I frequent on the Internet, I hear calls for help from small business owners for different services. One needs promotional items, another needs an accountant, yet another needs some other type of service -- you've probably heard it too.

Email - today's preferred business communication tool - provides you a simple, powerful, affordable way to develop, manage and maintain relationships as well as sell products and services. Let's briefly examine how permission-based email marketing positively affects: * Brand Awareness * Market Intelligence * Web Traffic * Prospect Leads * Loyalty

Wednesday, December 15 2004 at 16:00 EET Internet marketing company DoubleClick published its final report over the bulk email marketing evolution this year. The figures show year-over-year increase in delivery rates (cleaner emailing lists), and a decrease in open rates and click-through rates. The variations are light, proving a steady and maturing environment.