1. Before you get started, ask yourself why you're sending this email. What's the purpose? (You don’t want it to get lost in their inbox.. make sure you have a reason to send)
2. Do remember there's a person on the other end of the email.
3. Don't send an email out of anger. (NEVER.. wait until you cool off… you can never take it back!)
4. Do ensure the subject line relates to the email content. (this way you know they will open it)
5. Do spell check. ( A MUST)
6. Don't send or launch before you edit and proof. (simply read as if you have never read it before)
7. Do check the tone - how will it be received?
8. Don't lose your message or point. (so easy to loose track)
9. Do use scannable bullet points and short paragraphs. (bullets get noticed more)
10. Don't write in ALL CAPS. ( unless you need to SCREAM at someone!)
11. Don't use too many images. (screen caption so you can show an issue you're having, and people can see it directly but don’t over do it.. they can only download so many)
12. Do have a friendly salutation and a sincere good-bye. (be nice… people like that)
13. Don't hesitate to say thank you.
14. Don't include incorrect or broken links. (some people may never tell you so you may never know they couldn’t use it…)
15. Do provide a signature, contact information and company website.(your social media links… hint hint…)

Most local business owners have a hard time understanding why it is so important for them to have an online presence.  After all, they advertise in the local paper and Yellow Pages, why do they need a website?  Well, the simple truth is that's where the people are.  When was the last time you actually picked up the Yellow Pages to find a local business?  Chances are you went to your computer or mobile phone and Googled what you were looking for.

If your business doesn't have an online presence, you are losing potential customers.  People want to quickly be able to find information about a product or service they are looking for.  And, people are more likely to shop with a business that is found online because they have information about them.  Simply put, an online presence is a must for today's business.

These are three essentials to help you establish an online presence for your local business:

1)  Optimized Website - A basic website that provides information about your business and its products or services.  It doesn't have to be elaborate with videos or lots of photos; it just has to be informative.  Also, your website needs to be search engine optimized.  This means that your website should include keywords and terms available for the search engines to pick up and include in the search results.

2)  Local Search Engine Listings - These are free listings by Bing, Google, and Yahoo and allow you to provide a lot of information about your business.  Be sure to utilize all of the features, upload a photo of your business, and create a coupon.  Potential customers will review these listings when they appear in the search results, so make them interesting and include a lot of information!  Here are the links to each:  

http://www.bing.com/local/
http://www.google.com/places
http://www.local.yahoo.com

3)  Facebook Fan Page - This is the newest trend and quickly proving to be an essential.  Facebook has literally become a search engine in and of itself.  With over 400 million active users, people are searching for local businesses within Facebook. A Fan Page is a great way to promote your business, it's free to set up, and you're probably already familiar with how to use Facebook ;-)

Here's a great quote that really puts all of this into perspective!

"Over time the single greatest opportunity is to rule the local search landscape.  20-30 year olds go straight to their mobile browser or Google Maps to find everything -- shoes, food, insurance, a dentist, you name it.  If they don't find you by doing that, then you don't exist."
- John Jantsch, Founder of Duct Tape Marketing

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