How to Build an Email Autoresponder

 By Bill Fletcher

Today I want to share with you how to build an email autoresponder.

 So first what is an Autoresponder and should I have one?

An autoresponder is a email utility that automatically replies to an e-mail message with a pre-written response when that e-mail comes into a specific e-mail or Internet address.

An autoresponder is nothing more than a tool for you to use online that allows you to quickly collect names and e-mail addresses, and automatically follow up with those specific individuals in any fashion that you want.

Normally when you are building an e-mail list, it is smart to give away a free report, audio or video, so when prospect subscribes to your list, they get something of value in return.

After the person signs up and downloads your free piece of content, the autoresponder can be set up to automatically follow up with the individual educating them about whatever it is that you choose, in whatever way that you choose.

Should you have and autoresponder?  That depends on what your intent may be.  If you have a home business that offers a product or service such as coaching you need an autoresponder.  If you business is one that relays on people opting-in to read or receive a free ebook, video or product information such as an affiliate or MLM business opportunity, an autoresponder is a must.

The most popular autoresponders are GetResponse, Aweber, GVO, iContact.  All are good and you can’t go wrong with any of them.

You have just set up your autoresponder, now what?  The question that I normally get  is “what do I SAY to them?”

That really depends on what you are offering or what action you want them to take.  In my case, I want my prospect to opt-in to see a free video.  To get the video, they need to give a good email address in which the sutoresponder captures.  My prospect sees a free video and I get a email in which I can follow-up with additional information.

Email Autoresponder Series Myth

No doubt you’ve been told or read that you should create a fancy email autoresponder series where each email builds upon the previous email. And that if you make it fancy enough, and complicated enough, you can get your prospects to take any action you like.

But guess what? You don’t know how people are going to respond to it. You can make a prediction, but your guess might be 180 degrees off. So now you’ve come up with an elaborate system that accomplishes nothing.

More importantly, building a sequential email autoresponder series like sections of a story might have worked 10 years ago, but these days I guarantee that even your best customers will not read and digest every one of your emails. Some of your emails won’t even get through, and many will be lost in a sea of OTHER emails from other marketers.

Your best defense is to design your email series toward you product offering or product information.  To do this keep it informative, add “teaser” lines, give the person some information but “do not pitch”.  Pitching will only turn your prospect away.

Even still, most of your emails will not be opened.   Again your best defense is to keep sending an email and changing the message in such a way that you get your prospect curious and they either purchase or ask for more information.

 Crucial Email Autoresponder Series Lesson

No matter who you are or how famous you might be, not every message of yours will get read. Remember that. Thus each email needs to stand on its own and not rely on the reader having read and remembered something in a previous email. If you don’t know how to set up your email autoresponder help is always there by the autoresponder company or YouTube.  Many MLM companies or Affiliate Marketing companies will have “pre-written” email series to use

6 Ideas to Build an Email Autoresponder Series

So what should you place in your email autoresponder series? Here are some ideas that flat out work at getting a response…

 Send people to your blog. If you’ve got a blog with great posts full of good information, write up an email for each blog post and place it in your autoresponder. This only works for evergreen information and blog posts that don’t display a date. Don’t send your readers to your blog every day – break those messages up with other messages.

 Promote a product. You can even tie each blog post to a product you’re promoting. For example, “Here’s a great product that teaches you exactly how to get traffic. And before you get that traffic pouring into your website, you’ll want to make sure your page is optimized for the highest conversion possible. Here’s a post on how to do that.”

 Emails that convert well. You send a broadcast email to your list and the response is phenomenal, or just plain good. So what do you do? Most marketers forget about it. But the smart money says to copy and paste that email into your autoresponder series. And yes, it’s okay to send out repeat information. Some of your readers will never see it the first time, and others who did see it will appreciate the reminder.

Send them a question. Yes, in the email autoresponder series, send them an email that asks an either/or type of question. For example, “Which do you value more – exciting new diet news or easier fat-burning exercise techniques?  Reply back with one or the other in the subject line.”

 Then follow up with both. “Are you one of those who wants the latest new diet news? Well check this out!” “Are you one of those who said you want exercise techniques that burn fat? Look at this!” You’re hitting both (in two separate emails) regardless of which they answered.

 Personal stories. You’ve got a ton of stories to share with others, you just don’t realize it. And so long as you can relate those stories to the interests of your readers, by all means share those. Anytime you can show that you are a real person with a real life and real challenges, you’re that much closer to forging a bond with your customers. After all, just like you, they want to do business with people they KNOW, like and trust.

Summery

Autoresponders Make Marketing Effortless, and provides a great way to brand yourself.

Email marketing is about matching your customers with exactly what they need, when they need it. That’s why autoresponders are so brilliant: they’re a series of messages that can be sent automatically as your customers reach different points in their relationship with you.

From welcome messages and webinar series invites to reminders about how many days are left in a free trial, autoresponders make keeping your brand in front of your customers effortless.

 To your success

If you liked this post please comment below.  If not…please comment below.  If you want more information on how to operate a home based business, affiliate marketing, mobile marketing or general business start up look in this blog for some great ideas.

Mobil Marketing is the fastest growing media today.  While email is slowly declining, mobile marketing is replacing it.  Just like the phone book is gone, email is following the same path.  Mobile Marketing is the only way to go.

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