I am sure everyone has seen an autoresponder in use even though you may not have known that was what it was called. An autoresponder is an email program that will automatically reply to an email it is sent to. One of the ways it is used is to respond to your email with an ” Out of the office until some date and will answer your email when I return”. But an Internet Marketer uses it in an entirely different way and we will have a look at that.
You might consider your autoresponder like your personal secretary. The responder will reply to your customer with a thank you page and/or a download page once they have purchased your product with instructions on what to do next.
No need to sit by your computer and wait for your customer to make a purchase so you can then send them out their product. That can be done by your personal secretary/autoresponder. This will allow you to do something else while this is happening. You could even be on the computer or doing other things, even watching your favorite show or sporting event.
You even have the ability to set up a series of emails to go out at a given time period that you set up. You could offer a 12 part ecourse that your customer has just purchased and have it go out as you instruct the autoresponder to do. That could be every day or every other day or as you set up. If you have say an ebook and your customer buys it or you give it away for free, you can then send it to them and set up to send follow up emails and additional information as you see fit. Go ahead send out one today, one tomorrow and even one next week. You have control to set that up.
What if you had a list and you wanted to send out emails or information on a given schedule. If you do not have an autoresponder then you or your personal secretary would have to do it manually. Just think if you had a list of thousands, that would take a long time. Your email provider might want to take a closer look at you if you did, worried that you might be spamming your list.
You would be following the Can-Spam Act guidelines with an autoresponder by having double opt-ins. A double opt-in form gives people who want to be on your list a chance to opt-in, then confirm that they did want to opt-in. All is done for you with an autoresponder.
An autoresponder could provide you with assistance if you have a help desk. If someone should send you a support ticket the responder would send them out a confirmation message that their ticket has been received. You could let them know when to expect an answer.
Also use your autoresponder to keep your emails personal to each responder. Using {!firstname} at the top of your email will ensure the email goes out to each person with their first name to add a little personalization.
The autoresponder can respond when someone unsubscribes from your list. It will send out a confirmation that they have unsubscibed and informs you as well. You could also ask them for some information as to why they unsubscribed and how you can make your site better.
One thing you should take away from here, the word “automatically”. This is probably one of the most important words to an internet marketer. You as a marketer have more than enough things to worry about with your business. An autoresponder will help your business like a well oiled wheel. And you will look so much more like a professional with your customers. And it could save you time, time you might need when you are trying to come up with that next big project or idea.
September 9th, 2009 at 7:38 am
The autoresponder is one of the three must haves for any marketer online. This allows you to do so many things all of them set up to help build the relationship with your subscriber.
September 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Automation or leverage is the key to success, particularly for one person internet marketing operations. There is only so much time in the day. And the autoresponder is the first major tool we can use to leverage our time.
My experience is clear that when you include a first name in the subject you get more opens.
Less clear, but worth testing is when you include the {!firstname_fix} in the body of the text, rather than just the salutation.
My gut tells me that works better.
Finally, if you are on aweber, use {!firstname_fix} rather than just {!firstname}.
Even if you just ask for first name on your opt in form, some people will put in their whole name. By adding the _fix, Aweber takes care of that little problem.
September 9th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
The {!firstname_fix} is a very valuable tool. I have used in the body of the text, I think it adds just a bit more personalization. And every little bit helps when trying to connect with your customer or list.
September 10th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
An autoresponder is essential to any successful internet marketing endeavor. As as been stated over and over, the money is in the list and a list must be contacted in order for it to produce results. An autoresponder allows you to contact and build a relationship with your list. Something that you would not be able to do without some sort of mailing program.
Now I wish Mike had told us what the other two must haves are. LOL
September 11th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I agree that an autoresponder is one of the most important tools every marketer needs to invest in. It’s the best way to stay in touch with your customers and prospects and build relationships
September 11th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Yes, I would have to agree.
Wouldn’t be able to do this without an autoresponder. This should be the very first thing that an aspiring marketer should get.
You should even get this before you worry about hosting or a domain because there are free sites that you can start out with if money is tight, but a good autoresponder is worth it’s weight in gold!
Great post Andre!
September 14th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Anyone who DOESN’T have an autoresponder just isn’t serious about building up a long term income online.
September 14th, 2009 at 5:35 am
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