Autoresponders are automated “sales people” that tirelessly follow up with your customers so you don’t have to. You simply create a series of letters and decide how often you want them to be sent. Then, when people sign up for your autoresponder series, each follow-up letter is sent on the precise schedule that you’ve established. Now, how easy is that…?
What can you do with autoresponders? You can do anything that you can do with e-mail. Here’s some of the most popular ways that people use autoresponders these days:
- Deliver FREE Reports
- Provide Technical Support Follow-up
- Deliver Online Sales and Training Courses
- Deliver Frequently Asked Questions
- Process Online Forms
There are essentially three types of autoresponder available. Each one has its own benefits and drawbacks, and it’s up to you to determine which one meets your needs best. Here’s a look at your options:
PC-Based Autoresponders
This is a software package that you install right on your PC. It parses and processes incoming mail through your existing e-mail client and responds to messages that meet your criteria.
Advantages
- You typically pay a one-time fee and you own the software.
- It’s easy to use but typically provides only the most basic autoresponder services.
Disadvantages
- It only works when your PC is on and connected to the Internet.
- It’s only as fast as your Internet connection
- Your ISP may not allow you to send large quantities of mail.
- You could get shut down if a subscriber forgets that they asked for your autoresponder series and makes a SPAM complaint
Owner-Managed, Web-Based Autoresponders
This is software that you install directly on your own web site. While some of the packages are full-featured, many are weak and buggy.
Advantages
- You typically pay a one-time fee and you own it.
- Some versions have advanced features.
- It’s as fast as your server’s Internet connection.
Disadvantages
- You need advanced technical knowledge to install and maintain the autoresponder.
- You have to own your own web site and domain name.
- You may exceed your web host’s daily bandwidth limits if your autoresponder series is popular.
- You could get shut down if a subscriber forgets that they asked for your autoresponder series and makes a S~P~A~M complaint
Autoresponder Service Provider
This is an autoresponder service that you simply sign up to use. Everything is hosted on the service provider’s web site. You pay your monthly fee and you have full use of the service.
Advantages
- You don’t need any technical knowledge
- You don’t need to own your own web site or domain name
- You don’t have to worry about e-mail or bandwidth limits
- Most autoresponder operators realize that autoresponder S~P~A~M complaints are usually bogus, so they are more lenient when you get one.
Disadvantages
You have to pay a monthly fee but, in most cases, it’s more than worth it to not have to deal with all the hassles of running your own.
Most marketers, except for the really tech-savvy and those who have very deep pockets, opt for using an autoresponder service. It just makes sense.
Deciding what type of autoresponder you want is just the first step. No autoresponder is a good deal if you don’t understand the secrets of using them to make money.
Personally, I am using a service called Aweber. It’s more than worth their monthly fees because I can be sure that my messages are getting delivered.
Leave a Reply