We have researched and compiled our first annual list of some of the most useful Email Marketing Blogs …other than the Email Marketing Journal!

Please feel free to visit these blogs as they provide excellent information!
Please let us know if we missed any blogs off of this list.

1. Constant Contact Best Practices Blog
Blog URL: http://www.constantcontact.com/blogs/constant-contact
The experts at Constant Contact share practical ideas, inspiring success stories, and breaking industry news. Stay ahead of the latest trends and best practices — and boost the effectiveness of your email marketing and online survey communications.

2. Email Marketing Reports
Blog URL: http://www.email-marketing-reports.com/iland/
Public relations blog by Steven Newton turbo charges marketing, builds reputations and manages crises.

3. BeRelevant: Email Best Practices Blog
Blog URL: http://www.b2bemailmarketing.com/
Not only does this blog contain well written articles, it also has blog posts solely dedicated to providing you with lists of links that contain useful resources and information.

4. Vertical Response Email Marketing Blog
Blog URL: http://blog.verticalresponse.com/
Not only is this email marketing blog award winning, it is informative and updated regularly which is great for anyone looking to polish their email marketing skills each week.

5. Listrak Email Marketing Blog
Blog URL: http://blog.listrak.com/
This blog provides email marketing news and strategies for those who know their stuff when it comes to marketing through email. It is very well written and worth reading.

6. Email Experience Blog
Blog URL: http://blog.emailexperience.org/
A blog for the email marketing industry’s leading voices. On these pages, you’ll find the opinions and thought-leadership that’s driving the next evolution of email.

7. SilverPop’s Email Blog
Blog URL: http://emailmarketing.silverpop.com/
Silverpop CEO Bill Nussey shares the latest in email marketing strategy and news with you in his blog.

8. Emma Email Marketing Blog
Blog URL: http://www.myemma.com/blog/
An email marketing blog that shares with you recent email marketing news as well as services they have to offer in the field.

9. Get Response Email Marketing Blog
Blog URL: http://blog.getresponse.com/
GetResponse’s blog focuses on email marketing and autoresponder industry. It provides advice, marketing tips, email marketing research, and random on-topic rants.

10. Chris Baggott’s Email Marketing Best Practices
Blog URL: http://exacttarget.typepad.com/
Great blog and resource website that provides great information by Chris Baggott.Have we missed any?

Please leave a comment of other Email Marketing related blogs that might be worth reading.

E-mail is the new direct mail. A few years ago, direct mail marketers were harping on the benefits of mail outs and circulars sent through the U.S. postal system. But the rising cost of postage and paper have made direct mail costs to prohibitive for many businesses. E-mail, on the other hand, is a much less expensive alternative. Unfortunately, SPAM laws make sending out e-mail to just anyone too risky and many businesses are leery of trying it.

I won’t deny the risks, but you shouldn’t shy away from e-mail marketing just because it is risky. There is a way to make it pay for your business. It’s called permission marketing. Your job as marketer is to get the permission of your prospects to market your products and services to them through e-mail. To do that effectively, there are some things you need to lay in place before you start. Consider this:

• You need a highly-optimized website with well-written copy
• You need an e-mail marketing opt-in form on your webite
• You should have a free digital product or give something away for free in exchange for your prospect’s personal information
• An auto responder system should be in place so that you can manage your contacts more effectively
• You must follow up with every prospect on a regular basis

E-mail marketing isn’t hard, but there are strategies that work and strategies that don’t work. I encourage you to get to know them.