What Is An Autoresponder And What Can It Do For You?

An autoresponder is any software system that automatically delivers a pre-written email message or sequence of messages after being triggered by an incoming email inquiry. There are three basic types of autoresponder systems. Each one has its own pros and cons. It's up to you to do the homework and decide which type best suits your own needs.

1 - WEBHOST BASED AUTORESPONDER Most of the better webhosting services offer an unlimited amount of autoresponders that can be easily configured from the domain control panel. These are an essentially cost-free feature of your hosting service, and can be put to good use in some areas of business. Advantages involve your ability to configure an unlimited number (typical with most webhosts) of autoresponse addresses that come direct from your domain.

Set up usually takes five minutes or less, and can be a life-saver when it comes to answering FAQs or any otherwise time consuming email chore. Disadvantages surround the (again typical) inability to deliver more than a single message. For the most part, webhost based autoresponders are "one-shooters" - with no follow up capability to deliver a pre-written promotional sequence. In addition, none that we have seen allow for recipient personalization tags (!fname - !firstname! etc.) within the headline and message body.

(This capability is VERY IMPORTANT if you want your subscribers to pay attention to your emails.)

2 - ONLINE BASED AUTORESPONDER SERVICES These are typically presented as a subscription service, where you are required to pay a monthly fee for ongoing use of the system. Costs can vary, and have of late begun to vary greatly. By all means, do your comparison shopping before you sign anything. Advantages include ease of accessibility and absence of maintenance requirements on your part. Typically, you will have full customizing capability of outgoing messages, and will be able to pre-program a sequence of up to 52 follow-up messages. In addition, you'll have the advantage of automatic unsubscribe/removal functions, meaning less work for you.

The big disadvantage is, of course, that you pay through the nose each month for the service. That makes it all the more critical that you get the fullest possible advantage from this type of service.I suggest you investigate AWeber Communications - a top-shelf online autoresponder service.

3 - DOMAIN BASED AUTOREPONDER SOFTWARES These are free standing autoresponse software systems that actually "live" on your own domain. In other words, you own and operate the autoresponder from your website. The big advantage here is obvious . . . you have no monthly subscription payments. You'll also have the capability for unlimited numbers of addresses/message sequences and typically an unlimited number of follow-up messages. In actuality, you'd be able to pre-program, in advance, any number of message sequences to run for literally several years. Disadvantages surround the fact that you are responsible for maintenance and breakdowns. With a well written program, this shouldn't happen. Rocks shouldn't fall from the sky either, but they do. Additionally, some domain based autoresponder systems are configured only for form-box sign ups, meaning you would not have an actual mailto: address to plug into your advertising. Do your homework before you buy. I've used ListMail Pro software the past several years to automate and manage all my list mailing functions. It's a true workhorse for about 1/3 the cost of the nearest comparable system I know of. There are no limits to the number of lists I can run or the number of messages I can configure to each list - and it's been years since I've had to pay a monthly fee for autoresponder service.No matter how you choose to approach the issue of autoresponder usage, one thing is a sure bet. If you're not using at least some sort of autoresponse system in your daily business online, you're not only working too hard, you're missing out on a majority of the potential for growth and development of your business.

Autoresponder Common UsesAn autoresponder is used for delivering specific information out to individuals quickly, sometimes just seconds after they request it. It allows us to automate the repetitive task of sending that same information out individually to each requester.Most marketers use autoresponders to: send out special reports/articles upon request, and/or send out a "welcome" message to new subscribers of a newsletter/ezine.And sadly, that's about it.Those who use 'follow-up' autoresponders are usually not much different. Most of their follow-up messages usually include more reports, articles and maybe some resources and product promotions.There's nothing wrong with that, but it's like walking away from a banquet while you're still hungry. I want you to realize that there's a lot more you can accomplish with autoresponders. What Autoresponders Can Be Used ForHere's a list of some tasks you could automate using autoresponders:- format and schedule mailings days, weeks, even months in advance- send out 'welcome' messages to new subscribers

- send out newsletters, updates, alerts, etc.- circulate viral articles and reports- automate list compilation and databasing activities- promote front-end and back-end products- deliver instant product details when the prospect is hot- deliver product specific emails until the prospect buys- deliver product user's guides before or after the sale- add new buyers to a verified paying customer list- deliver product download info (links, passwords, etc.) to buyers- promote upgrades and upsells for products already purchased- dramatically reduce manual email answering- follow up to minimize refunds/returns and chargebacks- send out surveys, polls, questionaires, etc.- automatically add new affiliates and increase your sales - administer affiliate training and motivation- solicit product testimonials from buyers- get hot, new, marketable product ideas quickly and easily- get feedback on your customer service and products- answer FAQs instantly- and so on…This list is just what came off the top of my head. With a little imagination applied to your own business needs, you'll find plenty more to add. Keep in mind that if you use autoresponders to perform even some of the tasks above, your physical action will no longer required for those tasks to be accomplished. Not only will your workload decrease, you'll have more time to do the really productive stuff

- like promote your business - find or develop new products - set up joint ventures with other marketers - watch Oprah.
Even though autoresponders can relieve you from a lot of repetitive tasks, I want to make it clear at this point that my autoresponders have one overriding and primary purpose. And that is to groom potential customers, maintain their interest, and gently remind them of my products and services until they are ready to make a buying decision. So the first priority is to get new subscribers hooked into my autoresponder loop. Toward that end, I've actually reached back to my old mail order days and adapted one of the most powerful promotional methods that has ever been devised.