It makes good marketing sense. Every time you give out your email address, you advertise your name.

It’s inexpensive. You don't need to have a web site. Therefore, the cost is minimal.

It puts you in control. You can avoid or control spam e-mails. You can use any Internet Service Provider without changing your e-mail address. (Example: You can switch between AOL, Earthlink, SBC and MSN as your service provider.) You have access (via Web Mail) to your e-mails without
e-mail software….and you can read and send
e-mails from any computer with an internet connection.