So we have all been talking a lot about social networks, and how they are fundamentally changing the way that we communicate. But while it is certainly true that these networks are becoming more and more vital to reaching your customers, clients and members, that doesn’t mean that email marketing has lost its importance too.

In fact, the two communication strategies can co-exist nicely, and address different needs for reaching out to consumers. Here are the Top 14 reasons that email isn’t going away anytime soon:

1. People still send hand-written letters via snail mail, even though they could instead make a phone call, send an email, text message, or status update.

2. Nearly all sites on the web that require registration still require an email address. Some are starting to integrate social media into this process (through things like Facebook Connect), but that is still a small fraction, and they typically still allow for email information as well.

3. Email notifies you of updates from all social networks you are a part of (provided your settings are set up that way).

4. Email is universal, and social networks are not (at least not yet!). Nearly everybody on the web has an email address. Most More >