SME BizLink

• Editor's Take: The Power of Email
• Article: An Online Selling Opportunity for SMEs with a Twist!
• Tax Calendar - NEW!
• Events: Demand Management and Forecasting Workshop (Monday 23 April), Design and Market Trends Seminar (Monday 23 April), Innovative Packaging (Monday 23 April), Time and Motion Study (Monday 23 to Tuesday 24 April), Basic MS Excel for Beginners (Tuesday 24 April), Business Risk Management (Wednesday 25 April), Corporate Social Responsibility (Wednesday 25 April), Costing and Pricing (Thursday 26 April), How to Become an Effective Quality Management Representative (Friday 27 April) and Electroplating Seminar (Friday 27 April)

• 2550M & 2551M - VAT & PT for March 2007 (Groups C, D & E)

• 2550M & 2551M - VAT & PT for March 2007 (Group B)

In developing economies like the Philippines, Small and Medium-scale Enterprise owners and marketers are finding out how technology can be used to leapfrog their businesses ahead of larger, slower competitors.

The speed and convenience of email allows SMEs to be of better service to customers and themselves. Investing in email enhances productivity and reduces costly mail, phone and fax. Email allows you to contact multitudes with the simplicity of mailing to one. And you can bet, if your business doesn’t have an email address, your prospects are bound to gravitate to a competitor who does.

According to a recent study, email users who click through links to check products or services offered are more likely to make a purchase. This study also showed that 9 in 10 email users spent more time online; forwarded emails to friends; and tended to buy on impulse.  

It doesn’t take much to get started. You will need Internet access, one or any number of manageable email accounts, a set of pre-composed business correspondence, and the time to monitor your emails and enthusiasm to respond.

If you still have not paid attention to marketing by email, you might be missing the opportunity for further business growth. Here are a few pointers shared by SME marketers on using email:

Use a stand out subject line. In marketing by email, the subject line is the most important. What you put there will determine whether the recipient clicks to read or decides to delete your message.

Develop an opening line that focuses on the interest or needs of the recipient. Your opening line determines whether your prospect will read on or opt out. Putting hype about your company turns readers off.

Keep it short.

Enough said.

Russelle S. Trinidad
SME BizLink Editor