What is an autoresponder?

We talked about creating a digital product in the last article and I mentioned email autoresponders.  Then, I realized a bunch of people did not know what I was talking about, so I wanted to give you a bit of information about what an autoresponder is and how to use one.

You have probably signed up for a newsletter or some sort of free report online.  Within seconds, you had an email from that website giving you the information that you requested. You have had the honor of using someone’s autoresponder.

An email autoresponder is a program that automates a sequence of email responses.  Autoresponders can deliver a consecutive set of emails to a customer once they are told what to send.

For instance, someone signs up on a form on your webpage.  That triggers the autoresponder to send a welcome email to that new ‘subscriber.’ A week later, you send them a coupon with relevant information about your product.  A month later you send a reminder email sharing some valuable insight about getting the most out of your product or service.

What can I do with autoresponders?

Autoresponders are usually used for things like newsletters and keeping in direct communication with your customers.  Many times it is used as a marketing tool to keep your product or service in front of your ideal customers.  It is called ‘top of mind awareness.’  You keep your product or service at the top of the mind of your customer so that they will remember to come to you when they are ready to buy.

• Get to know your customers by asking questions and surveys
• Deliver your blog updates automatically
• Deliver a sales sequence or promotional campaign.
• Educate your customers about your products or services.
• Deliver digital products that customers have bought from you.
• Deliver training to your customers about using your products.
• Deliver training to your employees.
• Introduce additional products or services.
• Highlight a customer, case study, or testimonial.
• . . and much, much more.

How do I use autoresponders?

The key to any good autoresponder is to add value. You should be sending valuable information and insights before trying to sell.  If you are trying to sell in every email, people may tend to unsubscribe from your sequence and you can lose some valuable customers.  Gary Vaynerchuk wrote a book called Jab, Jab, Right Hook.  In it he describes the sequence.  Basically, you should be sending 10, 12, or 20 valuable emails before sending a sales pitch.

Think of it this way, you are building a relationship with your customer. You want to become their trusted authority.  If they see you as an expert, they will trust your opinion when you try to sell them something.

I am not a techie person, how hard is it?

If you can send an email, you can set up an autoresponder.   Here is the basics of the process:

1. Signup or sign in to your service (suggestions below)
2. Create a list (this is a collection of customers)
3. Create a form (put this simple code on your website or send a link via email)
4. Set up a sequence (set up a series of communications for your customers)

From there, the system does everything for you.  It will collect customers from your form, put them on your list and send them the sequence that you have decided to send them.  It is all automated for you, hence the name ‘auto,’ or automatic, responder.

Quick note: No matter which service you choose to use, there will be training.  I suggest watching the videos or reading the articles and get to know your autoresponder service.  The more you know about your autoresponder, the more you can do with it.

My suggestions:

If you are just getting started many people start out with MailChimp since they offer a free service.   You can try it out and see how it can work for your business.  The only catch is, if you want to automate any sequence you will have to pay for the service.

Personally, I suggest Get Response.  They have a much more visual format.  I can see a calendar and move the email sequence around by dragging emails around.  They also offer a free landing page (one page website) and have built in surveys.  It is also one of the best prices overall.  If you use my link for Get Response here, you will get a $30 credit which should give you two month for free on their basic plan.  Plus, they have some great training to get you started.

Another option is Genius Marketing Pro.  They offer autoresponders as part of their system along with lots of additional features like triggers and segmentation for a more strategic way to use autoresponders.  Right now, they have a one- time payment, but I am not sure how long that will last, so you better hurry on this one. Click here to find out about Genius Marketing.

And of course, if you need any help directly.  I can be available for coaching and training.  Just use my contact page to get in touch.