What Is An Autoresponder

Maintaining an email newsletter is one of the cheapest, highest ROI (return on investment) activities any business can implement. Email, and now text messaging is one of the main activities most internet users engage in. Doesn’t it just make sense to engage your customer/client where they spend the most time?

Here are three big issues facing most small businesses when they consider starting an email campaign:

Issue 1. Not Enough Time – There is not enough time to write the content, format it, and then schedule it.

Issue 2. Technical Ability – Today it is not suffiecient to put 500 addresses in a group and hit send. That is unless you want most of your readers to miss your message because it was filtered by their internet service provider.

Issue 3. SPAM – There are very specific LAWS that must be followed to comply with federal SPAM regulations. Failure to comply could constitute a crime – not to mention getting tagged as a SPAMMER by the internet service providers.

Luckily there is an easy solution to these issues. Run your email campaigns with a competent email service provider or autoresponder service.
What is an autoresponder?

An autoresponder is a software application that automatically sends a pre-written sequence of emails according to a pre-defined schedule when someone joins or is added to your mailing list.

There are a number of autoresponders available online like I-Contact and Aweber. Although, both of of these have the same function – to automatically sent out emails, the difference lies in the different features of each of these autoresponders. Regardless of the company you choose, here are top 10 reasons to use autoresponder for the success of your internet marketing campaign.

1. Builds You A List. The very first step when doing business is to have prospects you can show your business to. Building your list gives you the opportunity to have targeted prospects. You can do this with ease through an autoresponder. Of course, your list is composed of individuals who have signed up because they have an interest in you, your topic, your products or services or your business in general.
2. Keeps You In Touch With Your Prospects. With an autoresponder, you customize your emails to automatically go out when you specify. So, even while you are sleeping your message can be sent!
3. Helps Build A Relationship With Subscribers. An autoresponder allows you to build relationships with subscribers starting the moment they sign up. By recognizing new subscribers and giving them quality free information on a regular basis, you will position yourself as an expert in your field, thus, building a relationship with them.
4. Boost your online reputation. As you build relationships with your subscribers, you’ll be able to let them know who you are. This determines your online reputation. If they find you a great and credible resource then, they will look forward to patronizing your business.
5. Serves as a Method To Announce Trainings. Letting your prospect list know of any training you offer is a great way to use your autoresponder list. If you have a new resource for them to use, you can blast out one message to everyone on the list. They will find it very useful and it adds to the productivity of your business, in return. It’s a win-win!
6. Shares Email Newsletters. An autoresponder is a great place to share engaging newsletters and promote helpful information to your opt-in subscribers. This can be a separate list or integrated into the emails that are already being sent out. This feature lets you create and schedule newsletters all in one sitting. Then, each one will be automatically sent at the date and time you specify. You can even segment subscribers based on who clicked and who didn’t.
7. Continues To Build Your List By Publishing a Sign-Up Form. Most autoresponders have the capability to create a web form to put on your website to capture prospects that are interested in your information and would want more. This helps continue to build your list! This turns people who come to your website into subscribers!
8. Allows You to Track Your Progress. Another advantage of using an autoresponder is they give you access to advanced email marketing tools. Email web analytics packages are powerful testing tools that give you easy-to-read reports to determine what’s working and what isn’t? Is your signup form effectively catching visitors’ attention? What’s the best time to send your email newsletter? Will the next version of your campaign drive more sales than the previous version? With email web analytics, you’ll be able to answer these questions and improve your email marketing.
9. Ensures a Top-Notch Email Deliverability. Autoresponders are the answer to the issue of spamming. In an era where spam blocking and filtering make it increasingly difficult for small businesses to get their email delivered, the use of autoresponder services allow businesses to reach their subscribers’ inboxes. From building and nurturing relationships with ISPs over the past decade, to automatically removing unsubscribes and bounces, these services know what is takes to get your requested email delivered on a continual basis.
10. Optimize Your Client Database. Remember the saying “the money is in the list?” The autoresponder helps you build, communicate and generate income with that list. Your autoresponder is a incredible marketing tool!