Getting the Most out of E-Mail
Email is a powerful tool with unique advantages over speech and other forms of writing and is becoming more and more natural for individuals, but there are several issues still to consider; good etiquette ('netiquette'), e-mail fund raising issues, spam, how to build an on-line community, etc. This section contains some of the best resources on the internet today.
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Convio, a Texas-based consultant has several useful online guides for public relations including this one dealing with how to use email to market your organization.Convio -
One of the problems of the new technology is how quickly email users can become overwhelmed with messages. Though it is an excellent way to communicate with volunteers and even funders, it takes skill to get your communications noticed and read. For suggestions on how to do this, see this article from the excellent Tech Soup site: "How Electronic Newsletters Can Help Charities--Further your mission without creating virtual junk mail"Tech Soup -
Lots of good information about netiquette-- how to be polite on-line. (The home base for this site is worth a look at if you want to see a site for the technically inclined on all aspects of webmastery.)Webreference.com -
Here's the resources that will help you produce a great on-line newsletter, i.e. "e-zine" (pronounced 'e-zeen' as in 'magazine').Email universe.com -
Michael Gilbert, a major guru on the use of the internet by nonprofits has published a book with all you need to know about using the email to benefit your organization. A download copy costs $20 U.S.The Gilbert Center -
There is a lot of potential value in using email to communicate with supporters and potential funders but only if you have the best possible email address list. Here are several good tips on how to build that list.Network for Good