Keeping in touch with customers via e-mail lists

As we go into the New Year, many business owners are looking for inexpensive methods of connecting with clients. Many of us have extensive e-mail address books, often including rosters of organizations we belong to — such as the NAWBO Buffalo Niagara membership directory. Use them…just remember to create your own distribution list (it’s usually not considered proper e-mail etiquette to use an organization’s listserve). I prefer to put my e-mail address in the “to:” section and all the e-mail addresses I am sending to in the “bcc:” section. If you use an autoresponder like AWeber or 1Shopping Cart, people have the option of opting in or opting out.  That is more for your business and customers though, not sending out a message to fellow NAWBO members, or whomever is on your distribution lists.  Whether you are sending an e-mail directly to a group of customers or fellow members of an organization, be sure to respect requests to be taken OFF your e-mail list. Remember your own user experience when you receive e-mails from anyone.  If you receive too many e-mails that are not relevant to you OR are ALWAYS trying to sell you something, does “delete” sound familiar?  Remember to be relevant and don’t be afraid of criticism as you stay connected (my recommendation is not to over connect via e-mail). Leaders are usually criticized…get used to it as you lead, and delegate whenever you can. But don’t delegate your message…that is your own.