You have a business and you need customers-sounds like a no brainer, right? In order to have customers, you need to market your business to them so that you can succeed. Without customers, obviously, you do not profit. So, the question is, what is simple, yet effective in putting your business and your name out there? Email marketing is the answer.
First and foremost, here is a tip: Never ever spam your customers or anyone who hasn’t asked to receive mail from you. This is a very important thing to remember when using email marketing because if you abuse it, it will only get you into trouble. No one wants that.

With that out of the way, we can discuss how we get people on your email list. Your customers need a benefit for themselves before they will be willing to give you their email address. Depending on your business, that could be essentially anything. As an example for this article, let’s say you own a homemade candy shop.
On your website, you should display an important message for your potential customers, which could say something like this: “For our free weekly newsletter and to receive notifications of candy presentations, tastings or other exclusive events, please leave us your email address.”
People like to see the word “free” and to be spoken to in a conversational tone because they are people after all. They also like to be dazzled by special things they’ll receive, so be sure to explain this in your opt-in message. This message is important because after they take action, it will give you their consent to have their email and permission to send them things related to your business in the form of a newsletter.
Use a suitable email program. There are more than you can imagine that are available, but one of the most well-liked is called Constant Contact. It helps you to measure the effectiveness of your email marketing campaign by tracking the number and percentage of opened email, the number of forwarded emails, opt-outs, and clicks on interior links. Not only that, but there are quite a lot of different templates to choose from if you’d like to give your newsletter a polished, professional feel to it. Aweber is also up there in popularity. If you are interested in finding more programs to choose from, just Google “email marketing programs.”

With your email marketing approach, don’t bombard your customers with the “hard sell” mentality. This will start you off on the wrong foot. Instead, offer them something of value without asking for anything from them. Educate them on the history of your business, special discounts or even a free eBook related to your industry. Just think of some form of information that they may not know. Going back to the candy shop example, maybe you could send customers tips on storing certain candies or even a simple kid’s recipe for chocolate lollipops.
When they relate to your emails in a personal way, loyalty is born. With loyalty, increased sales AND profits can present themselves. Make them feel even more special by offering discounts to them since they are on your email list. This may also spark the possibility of having a long-term business relationship with them.

T I P:
In each of your newsletters, be sure to discuss new events happening in your business or a fresh product launching soon. You will gain trust from your audience and your customers will look to you as an expert on this business and topic. This is very valuable because you will be able to give out your newsletter which will have a specific product highlighted in it that they should purchase from you.

Some others to try:
Vertical Response

Template Zone

Infusion Soft

iContact