| Ask any small business owner what his or her biggest | | | | (14 percent) and direct mail (11 percent). |
| business challenge is and many may say "competing | | | | "Small businesses are optimistic about the upcoming |
| for sales with large retailers." This is especially evident | | | | holiday season and are using tools like email marketing |
| during the holiday season, when sales are so important | | | | to establish strong customer relationships that help |
| to overall yearly earnings. This year, small businesses | | | | them compete with large retailers," says Gail |
| are arming themselves with online marketing | | | | Goodman, CEO, Constant Contact, Inc. |
| techniques to help them level the playing field with the | | | | Successful small business owners understand that it |
| big guys. | | | | takes more than a few email marketing campaigns |
| More than 2,000 small businesses around the country | | | | during the holiday season to generate sales. With |
| recently participated in Constant Contact's 3rd Annual | | | | increased competition, small businesses must stay in |
| 2007 Small Business Holiday Outlook survey. | | | | contact with customers all year long to build loyalty. |
| According to the survey, the majority of the | | | | Email marketing is one of the fastest, easiest and |
| respondents (53 percent) agree that competition from | | | | most affordable ways to do this. |
| large retailers is likely to negatively affect holiday sales, | | | | When starting your holiday email marketing campaign, |
| but most (63 percent) remain optimistic and anticipate | | | | seek out a reputable service provider offering list |
| strong sales regardless of the increased competition. | | | | management, permission-based services including |
| Survey results show that the majority of small | | | | unsubscribe, professional-looking email templates, |
| businesses are turning to online marketing methods to | | | | reporting functions, and free support. |
| promote themselves this holiday season, with 86 | | | | One such company is Constant Contact, whose email |
| percent using email marketing. Surveyed businesses | | | | marketing and online survey products are used by |
| also noted that email marketing has the greatest | | | | more than 130,000 small businesses and organizations. |
| impact on driving holiday sales (35 percent) over online | | | | The products are free for 60 days-just enough time to |
| marketing such as online advertising and paid search | | | | get holiday promotions out and sales in. |