Setting up an email campaign, whether it be a monthly newsletter, weekly updates, or how to guides, need to follow certain rules in order to be successful.  Take the extra time to and follow these steps to set it up before hand so it doesn’t look unorganized.

First thing you need to do is sign up to an auto-responder service.  I personally use GetResponse because is allows for you to grow with your database.  Make sure to do research into which one will be right for you. (Note: you can sign up for GetResponse for free to try out and plans start at $10 a month).

Once you get set up with a service, make sure to first outline what kind of campaign you are doing.  Whatever frequency you want to mail out at, determine a day and be consistent.  People will come to expect it and will trust you more.  Use the following tips to help you set up an outline:

• If you are doing news letter, outline what each newsletter will discuss for at least 6 months out.  If you do this, you’ll have an easier time to write the articles needed. Sit down and brainstorm for a couple of hours and then file your ideas for later.  While some people do great under pressure to meet a deadline, it isn’t a recommended method and your work may come off as unprofessional.
• How to guides, (example: How To Set Up An Email Campaign In 7 Days) should be set up before you begin the campaign.  Consider what kind of information you’re sending out and if people would be interested enough to wait for the information to arrive in snippets.  If not, consider giving them the option of viewing this information online for them to jump ahead or download in a .pdf form.
• Make sure your actually giving information in your emails.  If you are looking to promote products or promotions in your email, make sure to give them something of value without having to click a link. If you’re just advertising product after product, people will unsubscribe quickly.
• Don’t leave them hanging once the campaign ends.  Consider having a general drip campaign that they roll into after they are done with a mini campaign that they signed up for.

Once your campaign is set up, now you can start adding people to it.  If you have a list already setup, GetResponse or other services will let you upload a list from Outlook or other programs.  As tempting as it may be, avoid buying a list to start.  Many people view it as SPAM and mark your emails as such and more emailing services are banning this practice.  Instead market the campaign through your website, social networks and even offline to get people to sign up.

Email campaigns are a great way to keep in touch with your customers and generate more business.  Start yours today and it’ll be a valuable extension to your existing marketing!