Today's online business has the option of three major types of email marketing plans to choose from:

Newsletter Marketing:

It's true. Just about everyone has their own newsletter these days. From chiropractors, dentists and dog groomers, to hospitals, senior advocates and toy makers, there's a newsletter to meet anyone (and everyone's) needs and interests.

E-newsletter marketing is an excellent way to promote your business or service online by providing valuable resources to consumers in an easy-to-read informative format, that also manages to highlight your business. While some other email marketing methods tend to be deleted by recipients before really being looked at, newsletters have the tendency to be read, thus giving you a chance, over and over again, to showcase yourself and your business in a unique non-advertising-like style.

Bulk E-Mail Marketing:

One of the least favorite (and less successful), methods of online advertising/marketing is the bulk email. Although an extremely cheap way to reach thousands of potential customers, it can so closely resemble SPAM, that many recipients may opt to delete the message without ever giving it a second glance. There's nothing wrong with sending bulk messages to a solidly researched emailing list that you have obtained recipient permission to use. But bulk mailing uses purchased email lists to blindly contact recipients with little more than messages featuring more "advertising" than information.

Be wary of using this tactic. It can destroy your credibility among recipients who may otherwise be interested in learning more about your business offerings.

Opt-In E-Mail Marketing:

Similar to bulk emailing in the fact that messages are sent to a large grouping of recipients, opt-in marketing is different in one major way: it uses a carefully compiled business directory of email addresses that your company has painstakingly taken the time to ensure that each recipient is interested in your message and has pre-approved its delivery.

Opt-in email marketing is an essential tool used by most e-commerce businesses to send important announcements, updates, discounts and specials. Whether you are an online retail store sending weekly discount coupons to valued customers, or an organization trying to notify clients of an upcoming seminar deadline, opt-in email marketing can get the word out quickly and easily, at much lower cost than any other type of traditional marketing tool. The key here is having a solid client base in which to stay in touch with. Then, let them pass along valuable information to potential customers on their own through a more high-tech form of "word of mouth."

E-mail marketing can be a valuable tool for any online business if used properly and carefully to ensure that your messages aren't deleted as junk before they are ever read.