My first email address was with compuserve.com back when you could only have numbers for an email address. They then allowed us to have letters as well on prodigy so I switched internet service providers or internet content providers as they are better known to us geeks. My next stop was with the number one provider AOL and my name became an extension of my love for jazz music and I have had that email address ever since. I also have a yahoo.com email address that I use strictly for its Spam filter and free virus protection software that is built into the website. Free email addresses are great and I suggest you take advantage of their many no cost features. But I only use them for personal reasons. The main reason I dont use them for business is because I refuse to give the free email services anymore free publicity and not get anything in return.

The use of email addresses that promote anything but your business is a waste of great branding potential. Every time you send and email to a potential client or customer you have a perfect opportunity to promote your business. Yahoo and MSN will gladly give you a free email address because you help market their business with every click of the send button.

Earthlink and AOL get you to pay them every month to promote their service. I ask you, what are the chances of wemakewidgets@aol.com winning a ten million dollar contract over yourname@wemakewidgets.com Who do you think will be taken more seriously? Dont get me wrong I am sure there are many multi million dollar deals done using these services. But how many of them keep using it to create a more corporate and professional image.

Why not go to a website like Proemailaddress.com and register your own little piece of electronic marketing. This can be done for as little as $9.95` for a years worth of keeping your businesses name moving back and forth through cyber space. And get this; yourname@yourcompanyname.com makes a much bigger impression on those you look to do business with in the future.

I cant tell you how many business cards I have received with yahoo, msn, hotmail and especially aol.com email addresses on them and thought do I really want to do business with this person. Are they just a fly by night business? Can I trust a person who cant take the time and effort most legitimate businesses use to make sure they are recognized and respected industry leaders?

At one time just having an email address on a business card was impressive because not everyone had an email address let alone knew how to use it as a marketing tool. Gone are those days and in their place one has to step up their game and make more of a first impression. Using a professional email address does just that and more. Not only does a professional email address bring more promise and prestige to your company but it is one of the most inexpensive forms of mass marketing there is today. You are able to market your business to many potential clients while at the same time keeping customers informed and up to date through correspondence.

So in reading this article if you only get one thing that you can use please see to getting a professional email address and give your business the optimum chance to show its true worth.

Jeffrey Alexander Brathwaite

Jeffrey Alexander Brathwaite, aka "JB" is an Internet technology coach who trains business owners on how to use web strategies to increase their customer base and boost their productivity and profit potential. He is CEO of 2 The Next Level, a web-based technology solutions firm that serves small and medium-sized business clients with ongoing technical, training and Internet marketing communications support.

Prior to establishing 2 The Next Level, Mr. Brathwaite spent the past 15 years working in the areas of computer hardware, software and internet technology sales, e-commerce and website design for companies including AT&T, Lucent Technologies, MCI, Georgia Pacific Corporation, Toshiba America Information Systems, Hotoffice, Sand Hill Systems and Interland.

Mr. Brathwaite demonstrates his commitment to his community through his active service as a Big Brother with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta. Currently he serves as the vice-president of the Atlanta Pocket PC Club and as an assistant instructor for the “Sales Advantage” track with the Dale Carnegie Institute.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Brathwaite has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

A native of the Bronx, New York, Mr. Brathwaite pursued his Bachelor of Science degree in Electro-Mechanical Computer Technology at the New York Institute of Technology. Mr. Brathwaite lives in Stone Mountain with James his 1 year old son and Lisa, his lovely bride.