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Linda Formichelli

Guide to Building Sales with Email Autoresponders

Stay in constant contact with your prospects

By Linda Formichelli, Freelance Writer

An email autoresponder automatically, immediately responds to customers who request information via email or via a form on your site. You see autoresponders at work when you get an "away from the office" message in response to an email, but you can also use them to, say, send a pre-written packet of information to potential customers. An email autoresponder:
  1. Lets you easily stay in touch with interested prospects.
  2. Can be an effective part of your marketing plan.
  3. Helps you serve your customers more quickly and efficiently.
  4. Reduces the cost of your marketing communications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Set up an autoresponder through your ISP

Many ISPs include autoresponders in their hosting packages.
I recommend: Try one of these three national ISPs for autoresponder service: Hostway, BestWebHost.com, or iPowerWeb. Alternatively, search for an ISP that meets your technical and budgetary needs on Web Host Magazine. Then check the Web sites of the ISPs of your choice to find out more about their autoresponder offerings.

Use a paid autoresponder service

Autoresponder services are pricier than using the version offered by your ISP but they often offer more options, such as allowing you to send out several responses spaced out over time (for example, for an e-course, newsletter, or marketing campaign).
I recommend: GetResponse and Aweber are leaders in this space. See AutoresponderVendor for a list of other vendors.

Try a free autoresponder service

Short on cash? Free email autoresponders are, well, free, but some restrict the number of messages you can send or subscribers you can add, and some run a third-party ad in your outgoing autoresponder messages.
I recommend: Check out the list of free autoresponders at EmailAddresses.com.

Bring in more sales by offering free information

Offering free information through an e-course, newsletter, tips booklets, or even a "tip-a-day" service helps you build valuable relationships with your prospects.
I recommend: TipsBooklets.com provides – you guessed it! – information on how to write tips booklets that you can offer via autoresponder. Learn how to create an e-course on How The Heck Do I... For other ideas on marketing via autoresponder, read these articles on EzineArticles and Devicode Technology.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Remember to follow the basics of good copywriting when creating the text for your autoresponder: Focus on the benefit to your customer, make it personal when possible (some services will let you personalize your outgoing message), and include a call-to-action.
  • Don't spam! Let the customer know what he'll be getting when he writes to your autoresponder, and don't add his address to any other lists. Always include an opt-out option to let people unsubscribe from your messages.
  • Be creative in your autoresponder offerings. For example, if you own a winery, you can offer a course on wine-tasting. Run a PR firm? Try daily or weekly tips on working with the media, such as how to handle yourself in media interviews and how to dress for TV appearances.
  • Use an autoresponder to improve customer service by offering FAQs, price lists, and other information customers frequently request.

The official source of Building Sales with Email Autoresponders is
the Email Autoresponders page at Business.com

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Recommended Solution Providers

GetResponse.com: Email Autoresponders
Email marketing and autoresponder service.

Awebber Communication: Automatic Email
Capture visitor sign ups, send unlimited follow-ups, and create newsletters.

Intellicontact: Email Autoresponders
Intelligent email contact software.

GoDefy.com: Email Autoresponders
Comparison of the top email autoresponders.

Robot Reply.com: Email Autoresponder
Providing email autoresponder services.

GetResponse: Email Autoresponder & Marketing Tools
This site offers web-based turnkey email marketing service and autoresponders with integrated conversion tracking and follow-up capabilities.

Best Sites to Learn More

eZine Articles: Email Autoresponders
Articles on types and features of email autoresponders.

Devicode Technology: Email Autoresponders
Articles about how to best use eMail autoresponders. Also includes a download of software.

Email Marketing: Autoresponders
Articles on email marketing. Many of the articles focus on using autoresponders.

Inc: Email Marketing Resources
Partnership information with Knowledgestorm provides useful resources for email campaigns.



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