Autoresponders - Five Keys to Make Them Work For You

By: Rob Richards | Posted: 07th November 2006

Autoreponders: Five Key Elements to Make Them Work For You

One of the most basic of tools that every internet marketer needs to utilize is the autoresponder. If you are trying to make money on the internet and you're not using an autoresponder, you are really missing the mark. This article will describe the essentials of an autoresponder and how you can use one to help you succeed in your online business.

First of all, it is important to understand what your autoresponder really is. Many people think of them as an automatic responder to customer needs (hence the name -autoresponder), but to stop there is really not giving them their full credit. To fully utilize your autoresponder, you need to begin seeing them as your own personal sales force. This sales force though, unlike their human counterpart, will never tire, works 24/7, doesn't need a raise every year and NEVER calls in sick.

The next thing you need to remember about your autoresponder is that it is only as useful as the person who trains it. Who trains your autoresponder? You do, of course!

When someone communicates with you through email or an opt-in sign in form, they are telling you that they are interested in what you have to offer. It doesn't matter if you are selling a product or service, when that initial contact is made, that person is declaring that they are open to receive your "pitch". Think of it as a potential customer walking through your shop's front door. If you have trained your sales staff correctly, they will know what needs to happen next -they need to sell!

Remember what I said earlier about your autoresponder being your own personal sales force? When that initial contact is made, your "Sales Team" needs to step in, educate your prospect about your product(s), convince them of their need for the product(s) and then attempt to close the deal, which of course, leads to money in your pocket. The wonderful thing about internet marketing though, is that all of this can take place while you (the owner of the business) sleep, vacation, take in a movie with your family or essentially do anything else other than interact personally with this prospect. And it all happens automatically!

Now, when I say "automatically", that does not mean "all by itself". There is no magic potion for autoresponders, you still have to initially set it up to do what you want it to do. Remember, you have to "train" your sales force, which means you must set up the automatic messages that you want to send to your prospects. Follow these 5 key elements and you will be on your way to online success.

KEY #1: PERSONALIZE YOUR MESSAGES -Most autoresponders allow you to put the recipient's name right into the title and in the message body itself by simply adding **NAME**, or ~~NAME~~, or <> where you want their name to appear. Be sure to check out this feature from your provider as there does not seem to be any uniform industry standard.

Why should you personalize?

These people are going to be getting other emails in their inbox. They may be checking their email after a long day at the office. They may have their finger poised over the "Delete" key as they sort through their messages trying to eliminate spam and viruses.

Think about it... wouldn't you think twice about deleting an email that has your name in the title?

KEY #2: CREATE CURIOSITY. Your messages don't have to read like a novel. Keep it fairly short. A few well written paragraphs will do wonders for your offer. Ask rhetorical questions like, "What if I could show you how to...." or "What would you do if you had..." and then show them how to get the answers by either inviting them to your web site or to give you a call. Be sure to include your URL, phone number, etc... whatever it is that you want them to use to contact you.

KEY #3: MAKE IT CONSISTENT. You've got time. Your autoresponder is going to continue sending your messages for you automatically. So take the time to remind them (very briefly) what you told them in your last letter and build on it with this next message. ALWAYS give them a clear direction on how to learn more, how to order, how to ask questions, etc... and remind them that you will be sending another message.

KEY #4: MAKE IT INTERESTING. Try to avoid too much hype. Don't over exaggerate your offer, but do let the reader know that you are excited and try to create a mental picture for them of what their life can be like with your product or service. Tell them how you can help them achieve those results and invite them to take action by either visiting your site, calling, or emailing.

KEY #5: CLOSE THE DEAL. This is worth repeating... CLOSE THE DEAL! I see a lot of ads and messages that go out without any clear call to action. Remember, you are in business to make a profit. No close = no cash.

Double-check your messages to be sure you are very clear about what the reader should do next. There is nothing more embarrassing than to find out that your prospects have been receiving the wrong message from your sales team, so be sure to test the entire system on yourself.

Your autoresponder can make or break you as an internet marketer. Invest some time in training your sales force, assess its performance through tracking and make changes whenever you see a place to improve.

Today you have learned 5 autoresponder essentials. Use these 5 keys for every autoresponder campaign you have and you will be on your way to internet success.

Now get out there and market!

Rob Richards is a husband, dad, internet marketer and editor of the MCA Network News, http://www.makecashanytime.com

About the Author
{if $articleAuthor->occupation}

Occupation: {$articleAuthor->occupation}

{/if}

{$articleAuthor->biography}

{if $articleAuthor->website}

{$articleAuthor->website}

{/if} This article is free for republishing
Printed From: http://www.a1articles.com/autoresponders--five-keys-to-make-them-work-for-you-97283.html
Back to the original article

Tags: email, internet marketer, internet marketing, elements, autoresponder, personal sales, pitch, sales staff, wonderful thing, money in your pocket