Some people tend to forget just what a powerful tool email still still is in this day and age of social networks. I have even heard some people say “I don’t do email, you have to get my Facebook.” Well, yes, that may work for some people, but us “old dogs” also know that Facebook isn’t going to download in to Outlook or Thunderbird where we have better control over our responses and image.
All that being said, hopefully you are collecting email addresses from customers and clients as you go through the day, and it’s a great way to get the word out about your profiles. Nothing beats a good email burst to tell them about an exciting exclusive offer for your friends on MySpace. (in turn growing your viral marketing team without them realizing it) How about letting them know about your new Facebook Page so when they add you, you get that Social Ad mojo working?
Managing an email list can be difficult work though, and that’s why you need to look in to places like Constant Contact. And best of all, not only can you just announce stuff, you can do surveys also. “What social network would you like to see us on?” “Would you like us to build an OpenSocial application?” and so on.
Just because email is “old school” doesn’t mean it’s not still a vital tool to your marketing, both social and non-social.
