If you are like most internet active people, you check your email at least once a day. You probably use email to connect with friends, family, and colleagues on a regular basis. It is quickly replacing the phone call as an effective means of communication. So how can you use this to your advantage?

Email marketing is being used by thousands of companies to promote their businesses. But does it work? While your spam folders may fill up on a regularly and you delete several emails a day without even reading them, there are ways to harness the power of this marketing method.

One of the easiest ways to begin your email list is to collect addresses from your current customers. They are already interested in your product or service. With their permission, they are a great target audience for your advertising.

If your goal is to reach a new audience and spread the word about your company, it might be worth looking into lead-generating services. These companies can compile a list of likely candidates who would be interested in your business.

While a lead-generating service is the easiest way, you can also create this list yourself. You can require visitors to register their email address on your website before they even make a purchase. You can also ask for referral email addresses from your customers. They may know of people who would also be interested.

Why is email marketing better than a banner ad? It’s simple. An email goes directly to an end user. You will know exactly how many people are receiving your email. That will also help you track how well your marketing method is working.

So what should go in your ad? A more appropriate question might be, what should NOT go in your ad. One of the first things people tend to do when checking their email is scan for email they DO NOT want to read. You have probably done this yourself, deleting the “junk” before you read your other messages. Here are some of the things people look for:

1) Catchy one-liners - so many companies use these to attract attention that by not having one, you can distinguish yourself from the crowd.

2) Anything sexually suggestive - this will not reflect well on your business.

3) Dollar signs - these will immediately put flags up in the readers mind.

4) Random punctuation and symbols - like dollar signs, this will make your readers assume it is spam.

Any one of these is a flag for a potential reader. You want to avoid resembling spam. Make sure they can tell exactly who you are and exactly what you are offering.

Remember, marketing is an ongoing effort. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt does not give you the results your are looking for. Learn from your experiences! Now get out there and spread the news about your business!