How to Use Constant Contact for Email Marketing

If you haven't heard of Constant Contact, now's your chance. This powerful email marketing platform makes it easy to spearhead your email marketing campaign. Best of all, you can create various emails over the Web and use this user-friendly service to boost your business! NOTE: I was not paid by Constant Contact to advocate for this product--I just like it and think it's great for businesses to use!

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet

Instructions

1. 

   Sign up! You'll get a risk-free, 60-day trial of the email marketing platform to test out. After that, you pay according to how many people are on your mailing list.
   
   
   
   Another thing I love for the not-so-HTML-knowledgeable folks? They give you the code to import into your website, so visitors can simply type in their email addresses and subscribe to your newsletter. (They also make it easy for people to opt-out of your email list, which makes this a friendly type of service--never too spammish!)

2. Think about your message. The fabulous thing about Constant Contact is the many options. Need to blast out a press release? Use the press release templates. Want to send out a holiday card? Select the holiday card templates. You can also send out email newsletters, business letters and other promotional items.
   
   
   
   Once you select what you need, you can fully customize your message. Create an attention-getting headline, enter your text and spell check it.

3. 

   Customize your images. Another thing I love about this service is the ability to customize your promotional materials. For example, when I send out my newsletter to clients, I can upload and import my own logo or banner. This gives the email a personal touch.
   
   
   
   Be sure to check out the Global Colors and Fonts option once you're in editing mode. This lets you choose the color of your trims, take out different features such as coupons and link bars and much more. For a truly personal touch, this is the way to go!

4. 

   Organize your email lists. You can create different email lists and easily change addresses, remove contacts and more. The dashboard makes it easy to coordinate your various lists and contacts for each list.
   
   For example, I have one list for my clients and another for people interested in my book (creativelyselfemployed.com). This is a great option that allows you to stay on top of things!

5. 

   Maintain, maintain, maintain. The most effective way to boost sales from using Constant Contact is to regularly send out emails. Include useful information for your clients about topics related to your products or your industry--or simply send out a coupon or promotional greeting.

Tips & Warnings

• Constant Contact comes complete with live customer support. If you have any questions, just contact them!

• Proofread all messages you send out.

Resources

• Constant Contact
• Creatively Self-Employed