The first step of your email marketing campaign should be creating an email campaign (series of email letters that go out over a period of time that you determine).  Then you need an email distribution list.  Here are a couple of common ways to add people to your email campaigns. Once you have made the decision to start using email marketing to promote your business you are likely facing the dilemma of compiling an email distribution list. This is essentially a list of names and email addresses to whom you will email your advertising and promotional materials.

Purchased Lists
One common way to gain a list of email addresses is to purchase a targeted list. This is very important because you want to reach a large audience of your overall target audience with your email marketing. Sending unrelated email to people with no interest in what you have to offer will get you poor results and possibly get you labeled as a spammer.  When you purchase a list you need to know if the list is current. People change email addresses often and then you’d be paying for names and email addresses that go nowhere.  You also want to know that the people on your list actually opted in to receive email from you or someone else who has what you have to offer. Some list brokers get names through what is called co-registration.  This happens when someone requests information on an item online (for example, information about a vacation city) and then a new message asks if they might also be interested in diets, magazines, or other items before processing their original request. Some will list demographics (home ownership, income level, age, etc.) and then the person gets emails and calls from home security systems, for example.  Totally not related to the travel city.  When you call a lead from this type list, your prospect usually has no idea why you are calling. This is not a good list.  Some list brokers sell the same lists numerous times.  It’s best if you use lists that people you trust have referred you to, or do the research to make sure you are working with a reputable list broker.

Referrals and online opt-ins
Another way to create an email distribution list for your email marketing campaign is to ask current customers as well as interested potential customers to give you a personal okay to send them information. Or they can register on your  website to receive additional information and periodic updates about your products and services as well as other information which might be of interest to them.  You can include a link to your opt-in web page in the signature block of your emails, for example. This landing page provides a place for them to "opt-in" by filling in their name and email address and phone. This provides you with a database of names and email addresses from current customers as well as potential customers who have a genuine interest in your products and services and who are interested in learning more. With Responderworkspro.com opt-in forms, the prospect’s information is immediately added to your email campaign database for you, and the email letters start going out to them. This is why you want to have your email campaign in place first.

Sending emails to your lists
As you build a list of interested customers or potential customers you should be sending emails to the members of your email list. These email letters should contain a wealth of valuable information as well as a soft sell pitch for your products and services. This information will be valued by the readers and may help to persuade them to try your products and services. You might also want to include useful links to your website or other websites which may be of interest to your readers. Your content should also contain a portion which urges the reader to take a specific action such as making a purchase or at least investigating your product or service further.

Avoid being labeled as spam
Internet users are very quick to delete materials they believe to be spam without even opening or reading the emails. In fact most Internet service providers include spam filters which may automatically delete your emails if your messages appear to be spam. These filters run complex algorithms on the subject heading and content of the message to determine whether or not it is spam.  They are quite adept at weeding out real spam, but if your email has wording that is part of the spam filters, you can be treated as spam as well. Therefore you’d run the risk of having your email marketing effort wasted if the majority of recipients never even read or receive the message. It is wise to learn what words to avoid and to not sound like hype or make unsubstantiated promises.  Make your content value driven and create a subject line that draws the reader into the email for best results.
 

We’re working behind the scenes to change out the company name on the email campaigns created by us for PPLSI – LegalShield associates. First you’ll see the changes in the prospecting campaigns, then retention campaigns, and we’ll continue to make sure all email campaigns have the Legal Shield name instead of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

If you’ve created your own campaigns you’ll need to change those company references yourself.

We’re happy to help you stay current with your contact information. If you have questions about this change, please email us at customerservice@sohos.net.

Keyloggers are software programs that covertly record and monitor keystrokes (like your passwords) made on a remote computer, typically using a dedicated software application or piece of implanted hardware. Companies may do this to monitor their employees’ use of their computers like going to game sites or other non-work related sites while on the job.  When done covertly on your personal computer, it’s definitely not intended for your good. It’s an automated software program, and not some individual watching your computer activity.

Risks:

• Identity Theft- stealing passwords, account information, even credit card numbers
  
• Shutting down your computer or permantly erasing files
  
• Using your computer as a server. Spyware can and will embed itself in your computer and then act as a remote server (pass through computer) to distribute other harmful programs or images, delivering malicious programs to others. This means the spyware program is using your computer to send these things out.  Each computer has an identity number so doing this masks their identity and points to you as the one sending the harmful programs or images. Porn suppliers randomly seek computers they can hack for this purpose.
  
• Redirecting your URL’s. Your website content will disappear and the hacker’s content will appear.
  

Malware, spyware, and other junk software typically makes it onto a computer for a number of reasons:

• You down load something you really shouldn’t have, from an untrustworthy source. For example, you get an email from an unknown person promising something you might be interested in, or some official looking email saying they need to verify your information, and they give you a link to click on – don’t!  This might be a virus, or spyware or a keylogger program that will compromise your computer and your identity.
• You thought you were installing a “reputable” application, but it actually bundles “optional” features that are actually malware. Malware is often lurking behind a “reputable” source but disguised as something innocuous or desirable. This technique is known as the Trojan Horse. Be very careful of what you are installing and its source.
• You’ve already managed to get yourself infected, and the malware installs even more malware. Once a system has been compromised most malware software will install a backdoor. This allows for other malware or harmful things to be easily installed in the future. This method is typically used by a malicious individual to gain secure remote access to a computer, while attempting to remain hidden from view. 

Prevention:

A good Anti-virus program is a must. There are free ones like AVG or you can purchase the well known Norton’s or McAfee, as well as others. You can set them up to run automatically at night (if you leave your computer on) or sometime during the day when you do have your computer on.  You’ll want to select a time when running the program doesn’t slow down your computer while you are using it.

Regularly back up your computer.  This way if something does infect your computer you will be able to recover programs and data.  The same thing applies here – you can set up an automatic backup at a time when you know your computer will on. Pick a time when you aren’t actively using your computer.

If you get an email asking to verify information and it’s to an account that you do have, such as PayPal, do not use the link in the email to go to the website.  Open your browser and fill in the domain name yourself.  If it’s a legitimate request you’ll be able to get the information there, and if not, you have potentially saved yourself a lot of grief.

If you do get a virus or other unwanted programs on your computer, contact someone who really knows how to remove them.  A trained person can save you time, frustration and lost data.

As of May 31, 2011, Facebook was fast approaching its 700-millionth signup. You don’t even have to tweet to enjoy Twitter.  Whether you tweet 100 times a day (please don’t) or never, you still have access to information about what interests you. Many people simply use Twitter as a way to keep up with friends and acquaintances or get the latest information on your interests.

According to a SocialWare survey, 79% of the largest Fortune 500 firms use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or corporate blogs to communicate with customers and others. And 69% of them report that their companies have gained measurable business benefits from social technologies, including more effective marketing, more innovative products and services, better access to knowledge, lower costs of doing business, and higher revenues.

So does that mean Email Marketing isn’t as effective? Absolutely not! Email Marketing is still going strong. According to an Econsultancy survey in early 2011, 72% answered that Return On Investment (ROI) of their email marketing campaigns is excellent. Also, 39.4% of marketing industry executives called Email Marketing “the most powerful advertising channel for their business”, according to Datran Media’s 2010 Annual Marketing and Media Survey.

By using social media avenues you’re able to direct people to your email campaigns. Include occasional posts with your business website or landing page. Have your website link in your social media bio information. Those who are really interested in what you’re offering will sign up (opt-in) to learn more about your information and why they should become customers or join your business. Your email campaign should give them more information about your product or service.  Include a link to your Facebook or Twitter page on your website if possible. In fact, 54% said their marketing efforts were better with both social media and email campaigns.

With social media, be sure to follow the unwritten rules, which include how often to share your marketing message. You need a combination of personal information, valuable topical information, and only 25-30% of your posts about your business. Be purposeful in what you post and you’ll develop a following who know, like and trust you. Using email to boost your social media voice and vice-versa is key to reaching more people and growing your business!

This week Mike Cowles is taking his friend by the hand to prove he can generate $1,000 or more in one week – and his friend has zero experience online (he lays tile for a living). The training will be showcased next Monday and Tuesday as part of his Emergency Cash Marketing.  For more information check it out at http://tinyurl.com/4×3a2pz (signup ends Sunday 6/12/11 at midnight).  He said it will take some time to set up, and if you can’t invest about 2 hrs a day for a week to do what he teaches, or the program would create a hardship, it’s not for you.

From Mike: 

Cory is one of my best friends of over twenty years and recently had some surgery that caused him to not be able to work on his day job of laying tile. When he was doing tile, he did awesome, but it is taking a toll on his knees, shoulder and soul. Cory asked me for advice since he knew I was doing well…

Cory is a complete and total newbie. He’s never set up a blog or website, he hasn’t bought any IM products, etc.

As a matter of fact, he didn’t even know what a domain was until I told him yesterday! And why should he? He was making good money (in his eyes) doing tile.

I decided the best way to help Cory was to walk him through everything he needed to start generating at least $1,000 a week, and since Cory’s situation is so common and there are so many warriors that would love to have the same help and guidance, I decided to do a workshop and have Cory be my case study.

The workshop will be held this Monday and Tuesday (June 13, 14) at 4pm ET. Both 2 hour sessions will be recorded. He’ll be sharing 3 different methods for creating a "completely original product to generate ongoing cash for months."  Depending on a topic you choose, this may be something to drive traffic to your main business and help you build a list.

He’s priced his two day workshop (it’s really two webinars) at $67, which is less than half what he normally charges for trainings. 

The good news is that the hackers didn’t get any particularly sensitive data, such as account numbers, passwords or card details. Instead, they were only able to access lists of emails accompanied by the customer’s name.

The breach was at Epsilon, which operates online mailing lists for many major companies, including seven of the ten largest firms in America.  Were it just email addresses, the main risk would be an increase in spam. However, with the names also available, the attention will likely turn to phishing. 

This involves attempting to trick users into believing a scam email is from a legitimate source, such as an online bank or retailer, and then getting the users to hand over sensitive data. This is the very thing you should NOT do.

Steer Clear of Suspicious Links

By using real names, the scammers can produce messages a little more credible-looking and less like automated scams.  Companies don’t use links in an email for log in or filling out a form.  Many of the affected companies have already sent out emails alerting their users and, as in the case of Citi Cards, share what they will include in their communication so you know it’s really from them.

According to Epsilon, those who have already confirmed their lists were involved include 1-800-Flowers, Barclays, Best Buy, Home Shopping Network, LL Bean, Marriot, Ritz Carlton, Citi Cards, TiVo and US Bancorp.

It’s also important to note that while the sites are sending out warnings, they are not asking users to change log-in details. Any message along those lines is likely itself a scam that’s designed to get ahold of these details.

Typically scam emails disguise or change "from" email addresses so fast that you can’t effectively add them to your spam filter.

So, if you get more spam or phishing emails for awhile, remember that your best friend is the delete button.

Then last fall we started seriously checking out what’s available.  First the Kindle, then the big screen Kindle DX.  Several lesser known names.  Then Barnes and Noble’s introduced the Nook.  They missed their Christmas target date (that had to hurt).  The Nook has some very interesting features like highlighting.  For me that’s huge.  Then I discovered the Kindle has a cut and paste function that can string together what I would’ve highlighted.  That sounds very useful!

Then Apple introduced the iPad eReader with incredibly cool features.  Interestingly enough, the only negative comments I’ve heard seem to be Mac fans who want the iPad to be a full functioning computer rather than a really cool eReader.   If those comments drive Apple to further tweak the iPad, great!  Most non-Mac fans think the iPad is totally awesome.  A big brother to the iPhone.

That’s where we find ourselves.  I just got an iPhone last October (birthday gift from my iPhone owner husband).  Until then, a cell phone was just a convenient way to communicate when I wasn’t near my land line.  I had text messaging, but I didn’t have Internet access, email from my cell or any other techie features.  Of course, Mike did, and he’s always been up on all the latest and greatest tech toys, looking for fancy cell phones that did everything but laundry.  When my son got an iPhone, Mike checked it out and had to have one.  My son gave my daughter-in-law an iPhone for her birthday, so it was only fitting that I should get one too.  I took a power leap into communication and technology on the go.  Do not try to pry it from of my fingers.

Until the iPhone I wasn’t sure if I’d really use an ebook reader since I was still clutching my highlighter.   I got a Bible ap for my iPhone and discovered I enjoy reading that way.  The ap I use lets me bookmark passages to a growing list of my ‘highlights’.  An ebook reader will just make it easier than reading from a  2" x3" screen.  So I’m doing my due diligence on the features of all of the eReaders to see which one will best fit my wants and needs.  Mike’s already got his hand raised to say ‘I want the iPad.’ 

Here come the Scams.  I started writing this because I ’m now getting emails saying the iPad is great and I can have a chance to get one for free.  You might get those emails too.  Don’t fall for it.  The free chance will cost you!  Here’s the tell-tale sentence:  ’For simply completing a brief survey, and fulfilling all offer requirements, you could be on your way to a new Apple iPad! Participate now before this offer runs out.’  ‘Fulfilling all offer requirements’ means they probably will be showing you lots of things to buy to keep your name in a very large hat for drawing (if they ever really do a drawing).  The loophole, of course, is that if you’re supposed to get 3 from this page and 3 from that page (yes offers like that are real), and you find 4 on one and 2 on another or don’t want 6, then you simply don’t get entered into the ‘chance to win’.  But they get to keep your information already submitted.

Right now the Apple iPod is hot, so that’s the hook they use to get you to buy stuff.  Oh yes, they also add your information to a list that gets sold to a lot of other lists.   I entered my name and a unique, different email address one time only for something online and discovered that list has been sold and resold so many times it took nearly three years to unsubscribe from them all.  Sometimes these lists (where you originally entered your contact information)  are sold to List Brokers who then sell them several times to people buying leads. 

Not all offers are scams. Just beware of the ones that require you to accept other offers to win the original item.  Read the email offer completely and don’t feel obligated to buy things you didn’t intend to get.  You might also wind up on a lot of email lists offering even more ’stuff’. 

So I decided to start over. 

New look, new posts.  I actually took down the other posts and did a total redesign.  My goal is to share information about working online, Internet tips, cool tools, and other success strategies, online and offline. 

I’ve already posted one new article about how to avoid having your emails get caught up in spam filters.  I’ve been successfully writing autoresponder email campaigns since 2002, and it’s amazing how common words and seemingly basic information can flag your email as spam.  In this case, the ‘web’ isn’t just interconnected sites but the spam filter web that can catch the good email with the bad.

But there are steps you can take to get your email into the intended inbox.  Sometimes a simple word substitution will make all the difference.  Read the article below to learn more, and check back often for more tips and information. 

Feel free to share your comments. Thanks!

Marian