Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful and give thanks to the people who have contributed to your personal and professional success. 

The staff at ASP Information Systems, Inc. would like to thank you, our customers, for your on-going dedication and loyalty.  May your Thanksgiving Holiday be filled with joy and peace!

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Support Plus Reinstatement Fees Waived until December 24th!

Have you let your support plus lapse?   For the first time ever, ACCPAC is offering a promotion that waives the reinstatement fees for clients who sign up for a two year contract (saving you an additional 5%). This promotion is valid for clients with expiration dates after October 1, 2003.  

With Advantage Series 5.3 around the corner and some additional benefits available from ACCPAC there has never been a better time to renew. 

Support plus offers you the following benefits:

• Upgrades and updates for the term of your contract at no charge.
• Notification by e-mail when service packs are available for download
• E-Newsletter Bi-monthly (every other month) specifically focused on providing up-to-date information on the latest product features and enhancements in addition to tips and special promotions.
• Online account access to update your contact information, participate in forums and to join user groups.

Call today for a personalized quote. 

Offer expires December 22, 2004.

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ACCPAC Advantage Series 5.3 Web Demonstration

Check out the new features in Advantage Series 5.3!  This webinar is designed to provide you with an overview of the new features offered in the latest release of ACCPAC Advantage Series. Conducted by an ACCPAC Advantage Series Specialist, these Webinars present a live demonstration of the powerful new features found in Advantage Series 5.3.

All Webinars start promptly per the scheduled time and run for approximately 60 minutes. Please note that a connection speed of 56 Kbps or faster is recommended for a satisfactory presentation experience.

How to Register
To register for a Webinar, please click on the following link to complete and submit the online registration form. We will remove the date from the list of available Webinars when it is full. We will e-mail a confirmation, including the Web URL and phone instructions, shortly after receiving your registration.

http://www.accpac.com/campaigns/CForm.asp?camp=2033

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   Using email to keep in contact with your customers

Do you keep in touch with your current and previous clients? Are you building an e-mail list of your potential customers? What about those prospects you've been meaning to contact?  Why not consider sending out an email based newsletter.

An email newsletter is one of the most effective marketing tools you can use because it is quick, personal, and inexpensive. Many small businesses are using email newsletters to introduce themselves to new customers and to communicate with existing ones. By sending useful information on a regular basis, you can maintain constant contact without being annoying. In addition, an e-mail newsletter can enhance your credibility and increase sales.

Creating an Email Newsletter

Producing your newsletter doesn't have to be a major task. First, decide on the frequency of publication.  Would you like to publish it monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly.  This will probably depend on the available staff to create the document.  Next produce a graphic layout.  Consider creating a template or having your HTML developer create a template that you can use over and over.  This way the person creating the document doesn't have to know HTML.

Now it's time for the content of your newsletter. Concentrate on topics that your readers will be interested in, not the ones that only you find fascinating. Try to use real-life applications. For example, you can describe past successes and maybe even interview a customer or two. This way, you tell your audience how you solved a problem that relates to them and conveys that you are a results-oriented professional.

Email Tips for Success

1. Never send e-mail to people who have not specifically requested to receive your mailings (opted-in) or to those who are not your members is almost always regarded as spam.
2. Make signing up and unsubscribing easy and visible.  You can put a form, or a link to your form, on your home page. Or, ask customers if they would like to sign up when you speak with them. You may only want to ask subscribers for their e-mail address, first, name, last name, and perhaps one or two other questions to target your mailings, such as their interests or demographics.
3. Send a "Welcome" message to each new subscriber.  Once someone subscribes, send him or her a welcome message immediately. Include a description of what they will receive, how frequently they will receive it, and how to unsubscribe.
4. If someone requests to be removed from your email list be sure to do so promptly.
5. Remind people that they subscribed.  At the top of your messages, include a standard header each time you send a mailing. A short note like "Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Here is our latest issue:" can make a big difference in reminding your subscribers that you are not sending them something that they did not request.
6. Include your physical address and phone number.  Be sure to put your phone number and postal mailing address in your message. This gives your readers an opportunity to contact you by phone to place an order or inquire about your services. New federal legislation requires physical addresses on commercial e-mail messages.
7. Stick with it!  Be sure to continue your monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly newsletters.  Unless you keep in touch with your subscribers frequently, they may forget they signed up to receive your mailings. By sticking to a schedule, your subscribers begin to anticipate your messages.
8. Reply promptly to each inquiry or spam complaint.  When and if you receive an inquiry or a spam complaint, respond to it as soon as possible. For spam complaints, include that persons’ subscription information with your response.

If executed properly email newsletters can be an excellent way to communicate effectively to your clients, increase repeat sales and drive traffic to your website. 

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