On Tuesdays I like to share ‘tools & tips’ with my subscribers and today, I couldn’t settle on just one.
Since I work with both start ups and businesses that are clicking along ‘offline’ but want to increase their online presence, I thought I’d mention a few ‘musts’ today.
** I’m going to assume you have a website, a blog or a Facebook fanpage at the very minimum.
Going from there, I wouldn’t consider doing business without an email delivery service, a payment processor and some type of media capture. I’ll explain all 3 in detail and give you some suggestions.
Today I’ll focus just on email delivery and then we’ll investigate the others in subsequent posts. Otherwise this gets wordy and you get irritated 
1. Email delivery service
Whether you are online only or a storefront, you are missing out if you cannot follow up in a mass way with your ‘leads.’ Newspaper ads and fliers don’t ‘cut it’ for local marketing anymore. Direct response is where your efforts are best spent.
I’ll save ‘list-building’ for another post, but when you are emailing offers, articles, resources or updates, you simply cannot use your own email service, server or do a bcc or worse, a cc in your email. DO NOT DO THIS.
Best practices call for you to use a 3rd party service for ease in:
- tracking unsubscribes
- fielding bounces
- complying with spam regulations and
- automated ways for clients to update their information
You can find services from the simple to the complex…but at the very least, you want to make sure your provider has the ability to handle the above bullets and also:
- send mass broadcasts to entire list
- send pre-programmed auto-responders so you can set up a customer contact sequence
- update client information from their end without YOU doing anything manually and
- provide a way for clients to subscribe or sign up through a form on your blog, site or stand-alone page
Toolbox:
==> Aweber: I personally use this one for content delivery & autoresponders, I love their tutorials and their blog is helpful, even if you use another service. I wish they’d let me import small lists of names from when I speak ‘live’ or network ‘offline’ – but that is the primary downside to this affordable service. (They have a great deliverability rating too, by the way.) *trial available
==> Automation Wiz: The email service that comes with my preferred shopping cart is also super useful and can be deemed an all-in-one. I’ll be more excited when they add ‘negative logic’ – but it’s a great solution if you want everything in one place. If you’re not ready to add a payment processor (see #2 below) then you can start with just the autoresponder level of service and move from there when you are ready. *trial available
==> Mail Chimp or MadMimi – both have starter accounts that are ‘free’ up to a certain level of contacts. I have clients that use both these services. The do allow imports of lists (with some prescreen), their customer service is grand and they just might have the features you’re looking for. My concern with using these is that with common payment processors, content management systems, templates, etc – they might not be integrated across the board yet. So make sure and check that out before you commit. *trial available
Tomorrow, we’ll delve into Payment Solutions!
I’d love to hear below what email services you’re using and why! Also, what features did I miss?
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About Carrie Wilkerson
