What is an autoresponder?
An autoresponder is an automatic response e-mail address. You
can program an autoresponder so that if someone sends an e-mail
to the autoresponder address, they receive a message back automatically,
usually within seconds. No human is involved in this process
- the autoresponder is set up to reply automatically to every
e-mail sent to its address.
Why use an autoresponder?
Autoresponders are useful in that they allow instant access
to information. As if you wanted to know the latest advertising
rates for The bike, you simply had to send any e-mail to my
autoresponder, and within seconds the details would be in
your e-mail box. You wouldn't have to wait for site administrator
to check e-mail, read your request, and write you a reply
- which could take hours (if not days!)
Another very important advantage of autoresponders is that they
can be used to capture your visitor's e-mail address. Let's
say someone visits your site in a hurry. They see an article
of interest, but they just don't have the time to read it there
and then. Chances are, your article will be left unread. However,
what if you'd put something like this at the top of your article:
In a hurry? Haven't the time to read this article now?
You can have the article sent instantly to your e-mail box by
sending any e-mail to _________@_______
There is a fair chance that the visitor, who is interested
in your article but hasn't the time to read it just then,
will send for your article by autoresponder. Thus, they will
be able to read the article at their leisure, and you will
have their e-mail address. You will then be able to send them
a reminder to visit your site at a later date.
Tip: Most autoresponders will reply automatically regardless
of the message that is sent to them. Therefore, a blank email
will still generate a reply. However, We would not recommend
saying "send a blank email" because some email programs (such
as AOL) will not allow blank emails to be sent. It is better
to say "send any email".
A word of advice: Don't go adding your visitor's e-mail
address to a mailing list or newsletter, unless they explicitly
signed up for it. It is ok to send a follow-up message to
your autoresponder e-mail addresses, thanking them for visiting
and informing them of new articles at your site, but sending
out constant reminders to these people or signing them up
to something they never asked for is bad net etiquette (or
netiquette) and will probably lose you more visitors than
you gain, since some will believe you to be spamming them
("Spam" is the term used to mean "unsolicited commercial e-mail").
"Smart" autoresponders
Smart autoresponders are autoresponders that can be programmed
to send "follow-up" messages at set intervals after the initial
message. So, for instance, a potential customer may request
sales information from your "smart" autoresponder, and you can
set up the autoresponder to automatically send out a "reminder"
message a certain number of days later. You can usually set
up the smart autoresponder to do this several more times at
intervals you choose.
The benefits of a "smart" autoresponder
Having an automated system to send information and follow up
with your potential customers will save you time and money,
maximize your marketing efforts, keep you organized, and probably
make you a ton of money. Experts have shown that it often takes
a prospect 7 or more exposures of your ad before they purchase
from you. With a "smart" autoresponder, your prospects will
automatically receive your marketing message the essential seven
times, thus multiplying your sales and traffic!
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