by: Jason Blackston
The Automatic Responder is generally referred to as an Autoresponder.
What is an Autoresponder?
Autoresponder - An automated system that sends out a prewritten email to a person who has requested information.
Autoresponders are essential for doing business online!
Here's why:
Instead of having to respond to each individual that requests information about your product or business, the autoresponder automatically sends out the information.
This frees you up to focus on other areas of marketing. Let's face it, if you begin to create a huge "opt-in email" list, you won't have time to respond to each individual person.
Opt-In Email - An opt-in email list is a list where the users have voluntarily signed up to receive e-mail about topics of interest. In double opt-in email lists the user must re-verify their request to be on a list.
This leads me to the "Autoresponder Sequence"
Autoresponder Sequence - A series of autoresponder messages scheduled to be delivered automatically via e-mail at predetermined intervals to a person who has requested it.
Note
You will load your "Autoresponder Sequence" to an autoresponder. Now, post an "Opt-In email" sign up box that corresponds with that autoresponder, requesting first name and email address.
O'kay, pretend for a moment that you are trying to sell cookbooks. You have an Opt-In Email box at your website where people can sign up to receive free desert recipes.
You've created an "Autoresponder Sequence" with desert recipes. You're now providing exactly what you promised, plus you're able to promote your cookbook.
You now have a list on Automatic! They are happy about receiving the desert recipes. And if you've played your cards right, you should've inserted some sales messages into the "Autoresponder Sequence"!
Autoresponders help you build trust, establish credibility, and deliver quality...
When I first came online, I signed up for information on investing in IRA's from this guy whose site sounded and looked fantastic. I found myself trusting his information. He was establishing credibility and delivering quality content.
You see, because he was utilizing the power of an autoresponder, he could continuously drip information on me causing me to take advantage on his offers!
This throws me back to the "cookbook" example. Most likely, your viewers aren't going to purchase on the first visit to your site. However, providing an opt-in box with certain offers greatly enhances the possibilities of sales.
That's what is so great about having an "Autoresponder"! You can sit back, collect names, and market to them.
Where can you get "Autoresponders?"
I suggest going to Google or Yahoo and typing in Autoresponders. You should receive several results. There are many different systems which range in price.
Do your homework and find what works best for you. However, I can't stress enough how important "Autoresponders" are to doing business online!
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