You probably may know this already…Without effective and strategic marketing, a business is doomed to fail.

Every Business regardless of the type, place and industry has a common mantra..Its some what like this.

Step 1: Attract People and Convert Them Into Customers

Step 2: Provide outstanding customer service.

Step 3: Turn Them Into repeat customers.

Step 4: Continue to Look for new customers.

Certainly there are periodic tweaks that every business has to make to remain competitive and viable.

Talk to any online marketer, they will tell you the only reason why they are not as successful as they should be is because their list is very small or is unresponsive.

I strongly believe that a good list can accelerate your success. At the same time I know many marketers who make unbelievable amount of money with small lists. All by timely marketing relevant and problem solving solutions to their list.

So you have to build a list..as you do so..make sure that you build strong relationships. Here are a few tips on how you can kick start your realtionship building process..

Always provide a means for your online prospects to contact you directly, whether it’s setting up a contact point on your website, or even just providing them with an email address to use.

People really appreciate when their inquiries and comments are personally addressed. Also, when you do get a great comment from a customer, it’s always a good practice to send them a thank you as well as a request to use their comments as a customer satisfaction testimonial on your site.

Add more value to your site by also providing useful links for your potential customers to use, they do not need be affiliate links. Your readers/customers need answers. Is there an appropriate forum you could direct them to? If not, you might want to consider setting one up.

Forums, community channels and web logging are invaluable tools to help you not only keep in touch with your customers, but to also keep your finger on the pulse of your marketing audience. Many useful ideas and suggestions can help you establish yourself as an innovator rather than a simple competitor.

Give them a brief history about yourself and your company. This provides a great reference point for your customers to relate to you on a more personal level. What motivated you to create your business and product? Think how some of the head computer honchos started their businesses from their garage or college dorm rooms. People are fascinated by reading those stories.

I try to do all of the above on all of my websites. I would like to know the answers of the following questions. You can leave your answer in the comment section.

- Mr.H made $3000 a day or more online with one website for a long time before announcing his real name( Bill Harris) to the world. Do you prefer to market your products or services under your own name or a pseudo name?
- How many co-ordinates you have on your website? I have my email, address, phone and fax. I use about 4 or 5 different co-ordinates.
- When people try to call you, does your phone defaults into voicemail all the time?
- How often do you call your customers or readers?

I can go on and on..For now I will pause..

Cheers!
Srini