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Online Extras
Ask Mr. Internet
Our column answers your Internet questions.  | Dear Mr. Internet:
What's multimedia E-mail and what is it used for? Janet Stuart, ABR
RE/MAX--Northwest
Marietta, Ga.
Dear Janet:
Imagine not having to wait for prospects or clients to find your Web site through the search engines or advertising? What if you could send your site directly to them with a simple click of your mouse? This is precisely what you can do when you know how to merge the direct marketing power of E-mail with the multimedia capabilities of the Web.
Many of the latest E-mail software programs, such as Microsoft Outlook Express and Netscape Messenger, allow you to send E-mail messages with Web pages embedded as part of the message. Recipients will see what appears to be a Web page right in body of an E-mail message even though they may not have their Web browser open.
What would you want to send in your Web-embedded E-mails? How about the online version of your newsletter or updates to one of your Web pages? Of course, make sure your direct marketing efforts are targeted only to those recipients who can successfully 'read' your multimedia E-mail.
This technique is effective because you've created a graphic, interactive, and compelling E-mail, rather than just plain old text. Forms, buttons, pull-down menus, and hyperlinks will be fully functional within the E-mail message.
And, the technique can help boost awareness of--and page visits to--your Web site by simply sending prospects and clients your home page, or any other page from your site.
How To Do It
Sending Web pages through E-mail is fairly straightforward, but the steps are different for each type of E-mail software. Check with your provider to see if the software can interpret HTML pages in E-mail.
Or if you use Microsoft Outlook Express, which comes free with the Internet Explorer browser, click here. If you use Netscape Messenger, which comes free with Netscape Navigator, click here.
In same cases, you'll want to avoid sending Web pages in an E-mail:
If you try to send Web pages embedded in your E-mail to someone who isn't using the appropriate E-mail software, all they'll receive is gibberish. For example, America Online's E-mail reader can't decipher Web-based information. So AOL's E-mail users won't be able to appreciate your creations.
Rule of thumb: Send only plain text messages unless you know for a fact that the recipient is using a later version of Microsoft, Netscape, or Eudora Pro E-mail software to read their E-mail. Make a habit of asking people for their E-mail address and what software they use to read it.
Also, avoid sending Web pages that include frames, since frames aren't yet read well by even the latest E-mail software.
E-mail is the most powerful Internet direct marketing tool you have at your disposal. And what better way to use it than to bring your brilliant Web site to your customers, instead of waiting for them to find it.
Tech Tip of the Month
OK, so you don't have your "killer" Web site up yet. Well there is a new service available for busy real estate practitioners who aren't quite ready to spring for the considerable time, energy, and money that's typically required to have a fully customized Web site. It's called WebSuite.
After a few minutes of pointing and clicking, you'll have a real estate Web site that you can easily maintain and build on yourself, without having to know a stitch of HTML code. The best part is that it only costs about $10 a month and includes many impressive tools like instant "Virtual Flyers" that you can use to successfully close more listing appointments.
Although WebSuite site is unlikely to be as effective as one custom-tailored specifically to you, it sure fills the bill in the meantime. Now there is no excuse to be "siteless" anymore, even as you continue to plan (and save) for that "killer" Web site you've always dreamed about.
| | | Mr. Internet is the alter-ego of Michael J. Russer, an internationally recognized Internet speaker, trainer, author, and consultant. He's dedicated to helping real estate professionals leverage their people skills into profit on the Internet. You'll see his column on REALTOR® Magazine Online every month and in the magazine quarterly. Send your Internet questions to help@askmrinternet.com. | How To Send E-mail Web Pages Using Microsoft Outlook Express
NOTE: All examples assume you use Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or greater as your Web browser.
There are only three steps to sending high-impact Web content in your E-mail using Microsoft Outlook Express:
Step 1: Using your Internet Explorer browser, go to the Web page you want to send
Step 2: Under the "File" menu go to menu item "Send" then "Page By Email" Step 3: When the E-mail message window automatically comes up showing the Web page, you can "edit" the message by deleting the parts you don't want and adding text or even other graphics using your cut and paste commands as needed. To add additional text, click anywhere within the message area to type in any additional text you would like to be part of the message. With Outlook Express, you can copy portions of a Web page and then paste it directly into your E-mail message window. However, it's a more complicated process, and if not done properly, it could take much longer to send the message. The method outlined here should accommodate most of your Web E-mail needs.--Michael Russer How To Send E-mail Web Pages Using Netscape Messenger
The process of sending Web pages via E-mail with Netscape Messenger is essentially the same as attaching a file to the message. Only in this case the file happens to be a URL or address of a Web page.
The procedure is a little more involved with Netscape Messenger than with Microsoft Outlook Expression, however it's still relatively easy--involving only four steps.
Step 1: Open a new E-mail composition window and fill in the "to" address, "subject" line, and any text message you want included with the embedded Web page.
Step 2: Determine the full address or URL of the Web page you want to send. If you aren't sure what it is, simply go there in your Web browser (Netscape Communicator in this case) and copy the address from the "location" field.
Step 3: Under the File menu of the E-mail composition window go to menu item "attach" then Web Page. (See below.)
Step 4: Type or paste the URL of the Web page you want to send with your message. For instance: Unlike with Microsoft Outlook Express, you won't actually be able to see or edit the Web page in E-mail composition window before you send it. The recipient will be able to view it as one integrated message.--Michael Russer
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