Frequently Asked Autoresponder Questions
By Shelley Lowery
Autoresponders are one of the most popular tools used on the
Internet, as they will enable you to put a portion of your
business on auto-pilot.
Over the years, I have received many questions about
autoresponders and have devised a list of the most
frequently asked autoresponder questions.
Question: I'm new to Internet marketing and am continually
hearing about the benefits of using an autoresponder. Can
you please explain exactly what an autoresponder is?
Answer: Autoresponders are one of the top promotional tools
available online today. They are also known as automatic
responders, mailbots, automatic email and email on demand.
They were derived from the very popular fax on demand and
designed to automatically respond to any email message sent
to it with an automatic response.
Autoresponder programs vary from software set up to run with
your desktop email program and automatically answer your
incoming email to a script that runs on your server. The
script may run a Web-based autoresponder system that
utilizes a web page form, or it may run with your pop email
account on your server. It is programmed to automatically
send out a predetermined message when a message is received
to a specified script address or email address.
Question: My hosting company provides access to
autoresponders, but I have no idea what they're used for.
Can you please explain?
Answer: There are many advantages associated with the use of
autoresponders. Not only do they automate the daily task of
manually replying to requests for information, but they also
provide instant gratification for the recipient.
Autoresponders can be used in an unlimited number of ways
including:
• Sample ezine copy for potential subscribers
• Articles for publication - A great way for writers to
distribute their articles
• Offer free powerful reports on various subjects and use
your signature file at the end to promote your site or
business
• Offer free resources with information about your site,
product or business
• Information about your business opportunity
• Product listings
• Price list
• Welcome letters
• Thank you letters
• Order confirmations
• Advertising rates
Question: Can you tell me what I should look for when
selecting an autoresponder service?
Answer:When selecting an autoresponder service, there are
many factors that need to be taken into consideration to
ensure maximum performance.
The service you select should provide all of the following:
• Personalized responses - This makes the recipient feel
that the message was sent specifically to them.
• Automatic follow ups - Studies have shown it may take up
to seven contacts before closing a sale.
• Unlimited text length - If you are inhibited by the amount
of text your autoresponder may contain, you may be forced to
revise a successful sales letter, ultimately costing you
business.
• Free unlimited updating - It is imperative to provide your
customers with accurate, up to date information on your
products and services.
• Automatic notification - You must have the ability to
track your ad's performance. You should be instantly
informed each time someone requests your information.
Question: I would like to set up an autoresponder course,
but I can't figure out how to do it. Can you please explain?
Answer: In order to set up an autoresponder course, you must
use a system that provides follow-up autoresponders. These
follow up messages can be set up to automatically be sent
out at predetermined intervals. In other words, you can set
up your autoresponder to automatically send out a new
message each day for as many days as you would like.
Not all autoresponders will enable you to create follow-up
messages. However, the following service will:
http://www.GetResponse.com
If you'd rather have your own autoresponder system that
resides on your server, I recommend using AutoResponse Plus:
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=autoplus
The first step in creating an autoresponder course is to
decide upon a subject. Your course should focus on a subject
in which you have a great deal of knowledge and target your
potential customers.
Once you have selected your subject, you'll need to make a
list of topics. Each topic will represent one lesson. If you
have five topics, then you can offer your visitors a free 5-
day course. If you have ten topics, then you can offer your
visitors a free 10-day course and so on.
Separate each of your topics into course lessons. Your first
lesson should welcome your subscriber to your course and
explain a little bit about what they are going to learn,
followed by the first lesson.
The key to creating a successful autoresponder course is to
provide quality information that will be of interest to your
target audience. Each daily topic must contain valuable
information or your reader may decide to unsubscribe. In
addition, make sure you include information in regard to
your course such as the lesson number, lesson title,
information about your products or services and highlights
of the next lesson.
Your course should identify a problem, provide advice in
regard to solving the problem and provide the solution with
your products or services. Keep in mind, your course should
not be written like a sales letter. It must provide quality
information written to teach and inform.
Autoresponders are an absolute essential part of developing
a successful Internet business. The more you can automate
your tasks, the more time you'll have for more important
things, such as making more sales.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2003.
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of Web Design Mastery - An in-
depth guide to professional web design. And, Ebook Starter -
A complete ebook design kit. Visit Web-Source.net to sign up
for a free subscription to Etips and receive a free copy of
the highly acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies." http://www.web-source.net
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