How well do you know your list?

Who are the people on your list that receive your newsletter or blog? Do you have hundreds on your list? If so, do you know where they all came from? If you had to write each one of them an individual message, could you include something specific that you know they would want to hear?

We have an extensive network of people around the world that we stay in touch with via blogs, emails, newsletters, forums, etc. Some have opted-in to a newsletter or blog that we don't personally know. Otherwise, I can tell you something about just about everyone we to whom we send out a  mailing.

Joel and I were recently getting ready to send out a mailing about our web design company, Spinhead Web Design. We wanted to announce our new service, Kindle Formatting. It had been a while since we'd sent anything out so we decided to review the list first to make sure that only people who would really be interested received our email.

We started out with over 300 on the list and pruned it to about 120. But I could tell you where every one of those 120 contacts came from - how we met, whether in person or online. We knew these were people that had either done business with us or were fans of ours. These all are people who are our fans. If they don't need our service, we know they'll refer someone else who does.

It's not effective to send eblasts out to those who are either going to ignore you or feel annoyed. But targeting our fans - that's effective!

Thank you to all our fans!

Marketing your Virtual Assistant services with a newsletter, or ezine, is an excellent way to provide valuable information to prospects and clients. However, there are some US Federal requirements to keep in mind. These requirements are a:

• Real, clearly identified Sender address
• Real, working Reply To address
• Real, working Unsubscribe link
• Clearly identified physical address

In addition, there are two vital factors in getting your ezine opened:

1. The From line - Use a consistent, recognizable name and a real email address (this is the law). You can also use a permission reminder (such as: You are receiving this email newsletter because you subscribed on our website or signed up in some other manner).
2. The Subject line - This needs to be something that will catch their interest and be relevant. Don't: Your VA Newsletter; Do: 5 Simple Steps to Creating a Twitter Account.

Constant Contact is my first choice in newsletter services and email marketing programs. I've been using Constant Contact's service since January 2008. I originally signed up for their free 60-day trial in order to become familiar with their tool so I could assist a client with their Constant Contact newsletter. After the 60-day trial I was hooked and signed up for their $15 per month version and have since upgraded.

My virtual assistant business Awesome Assistant received a 2009 Constant Contact All–Star Award for commitment to best practices in email marketing.

Constant Contact is affordable and easy to use, provides a wide variety of templates to choose from, and has great customer service. They are continually improving their product and adding new features. After attending a local free seminar hosted by Constant Contacts I became even more familiar with the product and how best to use it effectively in my marketing strategies.

They also have autoresponders, online survey features, event marketing, stock images, the ability to create several lists in your account and much more. If you're looking for an affordable, easy to use newsletter service and email marketing tool, give it a free 60-day trial. Just click on "Try it Free for 60 Days" below and use my referral account. Once you become a paying customer, we both get a $30 credit - which is like you getting your first 2 months free!

Our next group coaching call for virtual assistants on June 15, 2010 will be about Effectively Marketing With Your Newsletter. To help us create the best possible content, we'd appreciate it if you'd take a few minutes to answer a few questions.

The questions are:

Do you currently publish an ezine or email newsletter?

If you do currently publish a newsletter, does it have a name?

If you do not currently publish a newsletter, briefly explain why not.

How often do you currently publish your newsletter or if you do not yet publish one, how often do you think you would publish it?

What program do you currently use to publish your newsletter? If you are not currently publishing one, what programs have you heard of? Constant Contact, iContact, Aweber, Infusion Soft, MyEmma, others?

What do you like most and least about the newsletter program you are currently using?

Who are you targeting with your newsletter? Prospective clients, current clients, other virtual assistants, someone else?

What topics does your newsletter cover?

Click here to take our short survey.

Our Virtual Assistant Group Coaching Telecalls program launched in April has been a great success! Joel and I have enjoyed helping newer virtual assistants refine their business skills. The topics discussed so far have been:

• Marketing Your Services
• Defining Your Ideal Client
• Networking Creates Word of Mouth Referrals
• Converting Prospects to Clients

We're happy to have repeat attendees who have found value in the calls and free reports. After the "Networking" call we received this email from one of the attendees:  "Thank you Joel and Sue for a great and informative call, I don’t know how I would ever know the things you share if I hadn’t connected to you.  Because I am new to networking, this call was powerful and very helpful, I already joined a Meet Up networking group as soon as the call was finished to increase my in-person networking activity." ~L.P.

After each group coaching call, we send out a follow-up email that includes a free report on the topic. Another repeat attendee says, "Thanks for the after-call goodies, Sue, they add that extra value to the coaching sessions that I know everyone enjoys." ~ M.F.

We invite you to join us on our next call, Effectively Marketing With Your Newsletter.