Autoresponder

An autoresponder is simply a software program which stores email messages and then sends them out to email addresses stored in a database. the order in which the messages are sent out is defined and the delay between messages can also be predefined.

For example, message 1 may be sent immediately, message 2 may go a day later, message 3 a further day after that etc. You load your messages into the responder once and then just let it do the follow up for you.

Email addresses can be input manually, via a form on a website, or by sending a blank email to the autoresponder address. If you put email addresses in manually then it is absolutely essential that you have the recipient’s permission - otherwise you are spamming.

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Apart from the fact that this is completely unacceptable, spamming will quickly get you into trouble with your ISP and your autoresponder provider.

The Awesome Power of Follow Up

Okay - an autoresponder sends out a series of messages for you. Great - big deal. What’s all the fuss about?

Simply put, an autoresponder allows you to follow up your prospects as often as you like during the sales/recruitment process - and that is an immensely powerful facility. In order to illustrate this concept let me give you a short example from my own experience:

Some years ago, on the recommendation of a friend, I visited Amazon.com for the first time. My friend was someone whose judgement I trusted - and I had heard good things about it from other friends and colleagues. I was certainly impressed with what I saw when I got to the site, it was well laid out, information was clear, prices were good and there was a great range to choose from. But I didn’t buy anything - not on that visit. Later on I went back to the site and I am now a regular customer.

So what’s the moral of the story? I went to one of the best websites on the planet, I was already interested and I had plenty of first hand recommendations from people who I knew and trusted - but I didn’t buy anything. Why not? Simple - it's perfectly normal behaviour that's why, in fact had I bought anything on that first visit I would have been flying in the face of conventional behaviour - on the internet or in the real world.

It's the equivalent of window shopping, or you could consider it as research if you like. Just be aware that this is the way the vast majority of people surf and view websites - get used to it and plan accordingly

The only way that you're going to make a sale is if the visitor returns, or if you have further contact by some other means. there are a number of ways to do this, two of the best methods are as follows:

1. Make the content of the website so interesting and compelling that your visitor will want to return.
2. You take the initiative and keep in touch by sending your visitor information by email.

Both of these methods work very well, and should be used together if possible. Use an autoresponder to follow up automatically for you. It will help you form a relationship with your customers and/or potential team members and increase your profits more than almost any other tool.

Check out some good free and pro autoresponders in the resources area.