Josh Wardini, Community Manager, WebmastersjuryRay Tomlinson was the first to send an email message. And he sent it to himself. This happened 4 decades ago. Today, more than 200 billion emails are received and sent every day.Here’s an obvious fact about emails: they would be here for a long time. This is why many businesses have included email marketing in their marketing campaigns, and there are even dedicated email marketing services out there that you can pay to do this part of the job for you.Email marketing is simply a marketing strategy that allows you to send emails to existing and prospective customers.For starters, you can create your own email list. It is that business asset that can’t be bullied out of your hands. And with the advancing nature of technology, your list can also be easily transferred and even saved on different email service providers.It is your resource tool for sending information about your brand, products, and services. The aim of email marketing will then be to create a direct contact between you and existing or potential customers.If you have a long term business, then you should have a working mailing list.Here are four important things to know about email marketing:

1. You need to build a list of emails for your business. However, resist the temptation to buy lists. Build your own by getting your prospects’ permission first.
2. You can build up your list by promoting sign up forms and landing pages on high traffic resources.
3. Sales and website traffic improve and are driven by strategic email marketing campaigns.
4. Your results in email marketing should get better over time if you take the time to build a bond with your subscribers.

Unsolicited spam (a poor marketing strategy) and social media influences are also known marketing strategies. But, email marketing is a more cost effective way to turn strangers and friends into customers.All that said, here are 3 major reasons email marketing must be on top of your marketing strategies:90% of consumers will check emails every day, unlike any other communication channel.Accounts on social media platforms may be deleted or suspended without notice. This is not the case with an email list. You own it.Sales through email offers have realized higher order values than any other channel.