Ensure Open Communication Without Relying On E-Mail

Ensure Open Communication Without Relying On E-Mail
(c)2003 Ginger Geracitano

In these days of E-Mail filtering, we small business owners are
hard pressed for effective ways to keep our clients and
prospects informed. While an Opt-In list is still the best
Marketing tool you can have working for your business, there
are other ways to keep your offers in front of 'the eyes that
buy'. I've outlined four of my favorite methods below, but
encourage creativity.

My premise is simply this; develop a relationship with your
clients and/or prospects, and you will see success. I've
successfully used all of the tactics outlined below to do just
that, develop trusting relationships.

I know that this may seem a little out of the mainstream of
what other Marketers are saying, but I've personally become
tired of 'wondering' if my e-mails are getting through, or how
many important mails are NOT being delivered to me because
my ISP decided that I didn't need to see that mail. Filtering is
way out of hand, and rather than sitting and complaining
about it, I've decided to think outside the box, and come up
with viable alternatives. :o)

Online Messenger Services:

Free services, such as AIM (AOL Instant Messenger), Yahoo
Messenger, ICQ, Windows Messenger and PalTalk are easy to
install and operate. I've found that I have to limit my time on
each of these services, otherwise my days tend to slip away
from me! Regardless, my clients know where to find me.

Services like Yahoo and ICQ allow offline messages too. This
means that even if I'm not online, my clients can send me a
message that I will see as soon as I do login. Even if their mail
isn't working, we can still communicate!

Easy Downloads Available Here:

AIM: http://www.aim.com/
AIM Add on for easier communication:
http://www.jdennis.net/

Yahoo: http://messenger.yahoo.com/
Windows and Mac versions available, includes voice and
camera viewing capabilities.

ICQ: http://www.icq.com/download

Windows Messenger: http://messenger.microsoft.com/
Windows XP and MAC versions available.

PalTalk: http://www.paltalk.com/paltalk10/index.htm
Windows Operating Systems only.

Chat Rooms (Voice OR Text):

I sometimes get the urge to meet new people, and talk about
web design or graphics, so I go to the different Messenger
services I use, and check out the listed chat rooms.
Sometimes, I use the chat rooms on PalTalk for training
purposes, and live events. Voice chat rooms are my favorite,
because I can listen and participate without having to type!
(This means I can multi-task)

The PalTalk and Yahoo messenger services above are the best
I've used for voice chat.

Message Boards (Forums)

I participate in many forums, and haven't found a better way
to mingle with people of like minds and interest. Some of my
long term web design clients have found me through my posts
in various forums!

Participating in other's forums is a great way to network, and
establish yourself as an expert in your field, but looking at this
means of communication from another angle, as the owner, it's
also a great way to keep in touch with your clients!

If a client's e-mail goes down, they can simply sign into my
forum from any web browser, and send me a private message,
or post a message to the board. The online advantage is
great, because there is no mail filtering involved, and if I'm not
around, other forum members may be able to help you too!

There are many free forum scripts out there, but some are just
ridiculously difficult to install yourself. If you're lucky, your
web host may offer a plug-in that allows you to simply click a
button and have your forum instantly installed.

If you're not that lucky, however, there is a very easy to
install forum that doesn't even require the use of a database
system! CuteCast forums operate completely through CGI/Perl
code, and I was able to install one within minutes! I love it,
and it runs so smoothly! I'm very impressed with this script,
and recommend it whole heartedly.
http://www.artscore.net/cutecast/

CuteCast forums are VERY customizable, check mine out here:
http:/ heportaltosuccess.com/community

Online Journals (Blogs)

For those clients that may not be as 'chatty' as others, I use
my Blog (short for WebLog) to keep them informed on my
activities, affiliations, and current events.

Again, similar to the forums, this method is totally
online/browser based, and I'm able to update on a whim from
any computer with an Internet connection.

A time tested success theory states that it is advisable to
keep a journal of your activities so that you can better plan
and track your goals. I find journals very useful in keeping
myself focused, which is NOT an easy thing to do!

Many of my clients have told me that they enjoy getting to
know me through my journal entries. Once again, this all works
towards building those relationships! http:/ pts.blogspot.com

WebLogs: http://www.blogger.com/
Posting software for serious bloggers: http://wbloggar.com/

Making yourself available to those that want to contact you
regarding your business is an essential part of operating a
business on the Internet. The four methods names here are all
free, and only require your time.

We shouldn't feel imprisoned by our E-Mail boxes, and we
shouldn't feel as though we're shut off from the rest of the
world due to the mail filters imposed on us without our
permission by ISP's.

My clients can reach me without E-Mail. Can you say the
same?