What Is An Autoresponder?

An autoresponder is a computer program that automatically returns a prewritten message to anyone who submits email to a particular Internet address. it will automatically email you a notification email that your subscription has been received and even automates the unsubscribe process. An autoresponder isn't used to answer all emails that require a custom response, i.e., a specific reply. They are used only when you want to send the SAME message to anyone submitting an email to a SPECIFIC EMAIL ADDRESS. Everyone subscribing to your newsletter can receive the same EXACT message. This automation will save you a great deal of time and increase your effectiveness, allowing you mailings to run on autopilot. Sequential Autoresponders The beauty of Autoresponders is automatic follow-up. Most sales are made after five or more contacts, or when a persons need arises. The repetition of follow-up messages greatly increases the effectiveness of your offering and can dramatically increase your sales, especially when buyers want immediate gratification, getting their purchase now. Sequential Autoresponders are also referred to as "Smart" or "Intelligent" Autoresponders (sometimes referred to as Autobots). Creating a sense of urgency is another tool in the marketer's arsenal that often increases sales, and works well through timed Autoresponders. You can constantly change your urgency offer until you hit the buyers hot button. Making it "Time-Sensitive" with an additional incentive is an excellent tactic. The modern version will permit you to send multiple messages at prescheduled times. For example, suppose an individual signs up on your website to receive a free Internet course consisting of ten separate lessons and you want them to receive one lesson a week for 10 weeks. You can now setup a scheduled automated Autoresponder program. The subscriber only needs to subscribe the one time, but will receive all ten lessons over time. If they subscribe to your newsletter, you can instantly send out the first edition, and schedule the future editions to send automatically at a specific date and time. Everything is triggered AUTOMATICALLY when an individual subscribes on your website form by providing you with their name and email address. TOTAL AUTOMATION! There are many features associated with autoresponders. When selecting one, it is important for you to be sure it has the features you want. Some important features are: Autoresponder Features to Look For Types of Autoresponders: Services have monthly fees, but can be very easy to administrate and no complex setup required. Normally used when you need several for different emails and multiple products. May lack in features. We recommend staying away from free autoresponders because they can divert your clients away from your offer through their own offers and banner ads. Own your own software - There are various levels of Pay Only Once & Own it for Life. We use a complete email marketing software program that totally automates our email marketing, newsletter mailing, and autoresponses. Once setup we can do the work of a dozen people through the automation. It works with our website and email software and its feature rich structure actually can replace the need for several different software programs. Personally, we have not found a very low cost Autoresponder software that is easy to setup and use is that lives up to its claims. We purchased "Autoresponder Unlimited" software, spending 3 long days trying to get it to work. We finally did get it to work in part, but it was very limited in features, VERY difficult to setup, in spite of the many claims that it can be setup in 15 minutes by a beginner and is feature rich. Reading their literature, it appeared to be comprehensive, but it just lacked in too many ways. This software sells for about $69 and we deleted it from our system, taking the loss. That was the case we found in other autoresponder software we reviewed. Almost without exception, we found the very cheap web development software packages to be lacking in major ways, including email software, mailing list management, website creation software, and etc. In general, you do get what you pay for. Additionally, your autoresponders should at least: The software should be easy to install or setup, even for a novice or have a strong tech support dept. to assist you until you have mastered it. It should include complete easy-to-follow Installation or setup Instructions. You MUST allow for a reasonable learning curve, time to learn it. Almost all powerful software requires a little time to learn and effort on your part to become proficient. Use on Unlimited Number of websites. Affordable. Software for the large Internet companies can cost from $500 to $500,000 and even more. The small business person usually can only afford $400 to $2000 max. We recommend using fully integrated email marketing software that includes the feature of creating Autoresponders. Everything is sure to work together and you don't have to learn several different programs, then experience the frustration of trying to make them work together. This can be a major problem, since tech support for one software generally blames the other software your integrating into your program. Send Unlimited Number of Follow-up Emails using sequential Autoresponders. Works on Unlimited number of subscribers. No limits. Fully automated, will work for you 24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week Super fast email delivery Can automatically wrap words at 65 characters per line. Full Customization - can send emails with actual names of clients and email addresses. Customized "Welcome" or "Confirmation" Page. You can set-up a thank you page after your client has subscribed. All follow-up emails can have an attachment - you can attach any file type to your email messages up to 2MB You can manually Unsubscribe any email addresses Your subscribers can automatically Unsubscribe using a Link in every email message Power Checking of Duplicate Email Addresses. Very easy to use Administration Control Panel. Super easy to Import and Export Email Addresses. Works with any form creation or web creation software program like MS FrontPage. You should receive a report every time a follow-up is sent to your subscribers. Have the ability to completely manage your email marketing campaigns. Only more sophisticated software and services have these features. Customizable. Has total flexibility to structure usage to your specific needs. There are other features you may require, but this list can put you in the ball park as to what you will likely need. A weekly support newsletter for the TV Show and online Radio show, "The Maverick Entrepreneur," Hosted by "Maverick" (aka Bob Dean Stanford), targeting home businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. It presents cutting edge, state of the art small business marketing tips, insider information, quality low cost solutions and resources. The newsletter is entertaining, educational, and uniquely informative presenting many "Tricks of the Trade." ----------------------------------- By: Hamoon Arbabi Source: http://homebusiness.nexuswebs.net