In Today's market, autoresponders are required. If you market online without an autoresponder, you're wasting your time. They automate followup, and allow you to stay in touch. It's been said that the customer needs to see your name at least 7 times before they respond in most cases. It is impossible to manage a large database without autoresponders.



Before you start using autoresponders, choose a reliable autoresponder company. Check with their delivery rates. Can they get through AOL, YAHOO, and Hotmail?

Is there system easy to learn? Can you do HTML emails? How easy is it for your prospects to unsubscribe? Can you export or import your database? If you buy leads, can you import them? Is there an affiliate program? Once you've got your autoresponder system in place, you are ready to roll!

Here are some creative ways to use your autoresponder. It's more than just email.

1. Collect leads with your autoresponder. All autoresponder providers can create opt-in forms that you can put on your website. These leads will be placed right into the autoresponder list you choose. Hint: free email addresses like YAHOO, or AOL have the highest bounce rate.

2. Don't just "sell". Write your autoresponders as though you were writing a friend. Offer good content. Only include 1 link, but incorporate it at least twice in the body of your email. Of course use the merge codes to personalize your email whenever possible.

3. Publish free reports in autoresponder format. The reports should be related to your business or web site. Giving away free stuff will quickly increase your traffic.

4. Collect vital customer satisfaction information by publishing a survey in autoresponder format. This type of information will help you serve them better.

5. Instead of answering every customer question that's e-mailed to you, publish " Frequently Ask Questions" in autoresponder format. This will save time and money.

6. You could publish your testimonials or endorsements in autoresponder format if you don't have the room in your ad copy. Testimonies that go to your prospect over time keep building importance in the prospects mind. Keep testimonials short - a paragraph at the most.

7. Provide back issues of your e-zine archives in auto-responder format. This will give your subscribers and web site visitors easy access to them.

8. Publish your entire web site in autoresponder format. Sometimes visitors don't have enough time read your entire site. They could print it out and read it offline.

9. You could offer your ebook in autoresponder format. After they opt-in, email your e-book in a series of chapters. Your visitors won't have to download it or have the software to read it right away.

10. You could publish the terms and conditions to any business transactions in autoresponder format. This could include return policies, purchases, refunds etc.

11. Automate thank you notes, order confirmations and reminders to reorder. Make sure that your "thank you" notes are in a friendly tone. Customers will appreciate your excellent followup.