If you don't send at least a monthly email blast to your customer list, you're missing a valuable opportunity to reach out and draw them into the store. Building and maintaining a strong customer email list is important to the success of your business and the growth of your bottom line.

Here are five ideas for what to include in your email blast or monthly e-newsletter:

1. Showcase new products—Send an email that describes (and shows!) new arrivals in the store.

2. Link to a blog—Blogs help you create a sense of community by involving your customers in all you do as a store owner.

3. Calendar of events—Promote upcoming events.

4. Highlight sales—Announce a big sale.

5. Talk about a buying trip and what will be arriving in the next few weeks—Customers will love to hear that you've just returned and brought with you fresh new products for them to purchase.

There are many companies that can help you design and email your list; you can even do one yourself if you have space on a server. But even if you don't know how, you can still roll out the program inexpensively (especially when you compare it to direct mail costs to send your customers a store newsletter or postcard).

Do you already have a fantastic store enewsletter or email blast that you've created? Please drop me an email, I'd love to see it.

Looking for the best email marketing company? Check back tomorrow and our Webmaster will give you a rundown of the top five!