I admit it -- when I'm
on the Internet, I want everything instantly. And I know I'm
not alone; in our high-speed world we expect to get what we
want with the click-of-a-mouse.
To help fulfill this desire for everything now, now, now!,
many Internet businesses make use of autoresponders. These
programs automatically return a prewritten message to anyone
who sends a message to the autoresponder's email address.
They usually allow for several follow-up messages as well.
Autoresponders are a real blessing to online businesses -particularly
small businesses where there's often just 1 or 2 employees
and a huge amount of work! Autoresponders:
Save time
Many inquiries are the same -- why answer them all manually
when you can automate it?
Save money
Have your autoresponder automatically provide information,
instead of paying someone to do it for you. Plus it will free
you up to tend to more profitable tasks.
Increase sales
Put your sales effort on auto-pilot! Very few people will
make a purchase the first time they visit a site. They want
to mull it over, maybe do a little research, and come back
later. But any number of things could prevent them from buying
later. Use a follow-up autoresponder to keep in touch with
your prospects. You're more likely to catch them at a time
that they're ready to buy.
Improve service
Visitors don't have to wait for you to respond manually to
their requests for information. They simply send an email
to your autoresponder and the information is mailed to them
within minutes.
Now what can you use autoresponders for? It's as limitless
as your imagination! Some common uses include:
Free reports or articles
Sales letters
Information about your various products or services
Email training courses
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Advertising rate cards
Order acknowledgements or confirmations
Newsletters
There are loads of autoresponders available on the net. ROIbot
( http://www.roibot.com/r_r.cgi?R46886_nn
) offers a follow-up autoresponder bundled with several tools,
including an ad tracker. Or try WorkYourLeads ( http://www.roibot.com/w.cgi?R46886_auto
) if you're looking for an unlimited number of autoresponders.
Of course, automation isn't appropriate in every circumstance.
Many people have had the utterly infuriating experience of
receiving a distinctly unhelpful, automated reply to an inquiry.
It's important to remember that an autoresponder is only
a tool; there are many situations in which your personal attention
is absolutely vital. Make sure that your visitors are still
able to contact you directly.
Small business owners often play the role of marketer, product
developer, administrative assistant, janitor, customer support,
and anything else that's required.
Autoresponders offload some of that work so that you can
concentrate on the important task of building your business.
Try them - you'll love it!
Source: "Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics,
an exclusive newsletter for eBusiness beginners. She offers
a 'no hype, no bull' approach to building a profitable Internet
business. Every issue is packed with helpful tips and useful
tools, specially selected to fit a beginner's shoestring budget.
Visit her online today at http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html"
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