5 Most Essential Automated Online Tools To Boost Your Marketing Performance

Copyright (c) 2009 Melanie James

Setting Up the "Capture Page"

Here are five steps on how you can start automating your home based business:

1. Set up your "capture page".

A capture page is a web page that displays teaser information. When a visitor opens that page to see the rest of the article, the reader will be required to provide a valid e-mail address before proceeding with the read. A capture page will only work if the "teaser" information it contains is catchy and interesting enough to make a person want to know more.

Capture pages are efficient tools in building your own opt-in list. You can be sure that the people who will enlist are genuinely interested in the products and services you offer.

2.Send a follow up e-mail.

Email advertising is now a very popular method among internet marketers worldwide. People who subscribed to your newsletter are potential customers and therefore, keeping then entertained and interested is a must.

You can send your prospects with updates about your shop or announce special events such as Sales or Giveaways happening in your online store. However, be discreet and proper in sending marketing emails. Do not bombard the recipient with daily mails or with junk mails that can make them want to unsubscribe. Add to this, make sure NOT to send unsolicited marketing emails to people.

3. Make a follow up voice broadcast.

Voice broadcasting services come in different categories such as voiceshot, probuilderplus, goldcalling, and protus. This method is quite similar to email marketing in the sense that messages are sent directly to the recipient. However, instead of using graphics and text, this method uses a recorded voice message.

Many business owners discover that the use of vocal advertisements really encourage positive response from people. Others who may not have the time or may not be that interested in reading a marketing message in text format are more likely to choose listening to video messages.

4. Send a postcard.

Postcard advertising has long been used by both big and small businesses in the industry. Although your primary objective is to promote your business in the internet, sending postcards to your target prospect is an effective way to let people know about your presence on the web.

Remember, not everyone spends a lot of time browsing the web. Some people only use the internet for chatting or emailing. If your online store is not that visible online, chances are these people will never find you. By using postcards, you can invite prospects to visit your website and see more of what you offer.

5. Accept online payment.

Of course, if you're considering going online advertising your products, you should be able to accept payments through using credit cards. Get to know more about credit card processing and choose a merchant account provider that guarantees the security of your online transactions.


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Entrepreneur and writer. Melanie James has spent the last 14 years working with businesses to implement quick, effective and inexpensive changes to their businesses to increase productivity and their bottom line. Currently she is working with MerchantsCenter.com to writing articles on effective small business management.