How to Start a Commercial Email Marketing Company

Email marketing is directly marketing a commercial message to a group of people using email. In its broadest sense, every email sent to a potential or current customer could be considered email marketing. It usually involves using email to send ads, request business, or solicit sales or donations, and is meant to build loyalty, trust, or brand awareness. Email marketing can be done to either sold lists or current customer database. Broadly, the term is usually used to refer to sending email messages with the purpose of enhancing the relationship of a merchant with its current or previous customers, to encourage customer loyalty and repeat business, sending email messages with the purpose of acquiring new customers or convincing current customers to purchase something immediately, and adding advertisements to email messages sent by other companies to their customers. 

Email marketing companies help small, medium and larges businesses connect online with existing customers to promote the sale of goods and services. Outsourcing email marketing services allows businesses to focus on other areas of business development. Starting an email marketing company requires skills in creating email content and design elements that persuade customers to immediately make a purchase. An understanding of Internet marketing is also useful when creating email marketing campaigns targeted at specific customers.

Email marketing is a powerful method of promoting a business that consistently returns the greatest return on investment. It has the power to

• Build relationships & influence
• Build brand awareness
• Gain new customers
• Generate more revenue per customer
• Boost website traffic
• Promote events & special offers

Email marketing should always be part of a larger integrated marketing campaign with online and social media acting at the core of every communication plan. We think that in order to engage consumers continuously, online channels are the most cost effective and practical means to maintain continuous contact and deliver a steady stream of superior brand experiences.

Buzz Web Media can set up your email campaign including

1. Design an email template that is consistent with your brand
2. Create content or add content you provide for your autoresponders and newsletters

With email marketing you can maintain top of mind awareness with your customers to make sure you have the highest chance of being the one they continue to do business with. Contact Buzz Web Media to discuss how an email marketing campaign can be incorporated into your business today

Things Needed

• Business plan
• Email marketing software
• Website
• Marketing strategy
• Business license

Instructions:

Step 1

Draft a business plan for your email marketing company. A business plan helps you stay on track during each phase of business development. Your business plan should contain at least four sections and include a description your business and the types of clients you want to attract, startup and monthly costs, licenses needed to run your business and a marketing strategy to help promote your services.

Step 2

Develop a subscriber base - In order to market with email, you would need to develop a subscriber base. This can be done in several ways, such as adding a subscription form to your website or blog, allowing your website visitors to opt-in in order to receive a free newsletter, a free course or some other information that they are interested in. Another way is to have a landing or splash page that would advertise your newsletter or free course exclusively in order for you to obtain new subscribers.

Step 3

Purchase email marketing software or subscribe to an email marketing service to create and monitor client marketing campaigns. Install email marketing software on your computer to store multiple client email lists, send mass email messages to those on client email lists, create email design templates and conduct market analysis to track email conversion rates--percentage of people who purchase goods and services from an email. Visit websites such as Email Marketing Tree or TopTenReviews to learn more about the features of various email marketing software available. Email marketing services, such as Aweber and iContact, provide the same features as email marketing software, but typically provide additional market analysis tools and design tools needed to help you create effective email.

Step 4

Write good content - In order to have a successful email marketing campaign, you would have to write quality content to keep your readers interested. You need to come up with topics that your targeted market would be interested in and then research and write about them. You can also choose topics that you are very knowledgeable in that can interest your potential customers as well. You can also have someone else write the material for your email campaign as well by outsourcing it.

Step 5

Format your emails properly - In order to have a profitable email campaign, you would need to use proper format that would appeal to your potential customers. Some of the formatting options that you can use are articles, newsletters, interviews, letters and questions & answers. All of these could be in plain text format or in HTML.

Step 6

Create a website to advertise your email marketing company online. Include the features and benefits of hiring a commercial email marketing company, contact information, work-related experience, sample email, client list, testimonials of satisfied clients and terms of service information. Terms of service information may include prices for email template design and email delivery to those on client email lists, specialized email marketing packages for small, medium- and large-sized companies and payment options.

Step 7

Create a marketing strategy to attract clients. Join the Greater Houston Partnership to network with other businesses in the Houston area. Join social networking sites, such as The E-mail Marketer's Club, to meet other email marketers and those looking to hire an email marketing company. Compile a list of potential clients using local business directories such as HoustonBusiness.com or the Houston Yellow Pages. Contact potential clients by phone or send an email demonstrating your email marketing abilities.

Step 8

Register your business to obtain a business license. Visit the Harris County Clerk's Office website to register your business as a sole proprietorship if operating in the Houston area. Visit the Texas Secretary of State's website to register your business as a limited liability company, corporation or partnership.

Tip

• Participate in Internet marketing or email marketing courses or seminars at local colleges, vocational schools or online at least once a year to keep up with the latest trends in email marketing.

Warning

• Familiarize yourself with state and federal anti-spamming laws. Spamming occurs when unsolicited emails are sent repeatedly to email addresses. Visit the Attorney General of Texas and Federal Trade Commission websites for more information on spamming laws.

Reference

• How to Start a Commercial Email Marketing Company