Once you have established a Web site and blog, it might be a good idea to reach out to patients with an electronic newsletter. Similar to a blog, this communication tool is easy to create and manage, and it's relatively inexpensive when compared to direct mail. Electronic newsletters can be simple, and a monthly or bimonthly publication might take only a few hours to produce.

There are several companies that offer easy-to-understand software for electronic newsletter campaigns. Below are three of the most popular services:

• ConstantContact.com
• iContact.com
• MyEmma.com

Check out the articles section to learn how to create a successful e-newsletter campaign.