Note: This is the first in a series of "how to" articles designed to help retailers develop a better understanding of technology. Every other month, a guest writer will provide step-by-step solutions to common computer-related problems. This month, Caroline Stanley takes a look at e-mail. E-mail is a simple, convenient, and affordable way for you to connect with your customers. You can send it almost instantaneously at your convenience, and you don't have to pay a printer or the post office for delivery. So what do you need to get started? Collecting e-mail addresses. Ask your customers for their preferred e-mail address. Offer them an incentive to leave you their e-mail addresses: a weekly drawing for a prize or early notification of special events and news. Also, most business cards now contain an e-mail address-make sure you are tracking these in your customer data