What is an autoresponder? Autoresponders are programs that automatically respond to an Email with 'pre-canned' message. For example, if you respond to an invitation to sign up for a newsletter by sending a blank Email to a certain address, it is likely being directed to the Email address of an autoresponder. An Email response is fired back and you'll see it your inbox within seconds. Autoresponders are in effect, Emails on demand and that means that your information is available around the clock all year long.

Automating your Internet marketing business using this tool can dramatically improve your sales without any work on your part. In fact, an autoresponder can process in excess of 50,000 requests every day!

The most common uses for autoresponders are sales letter, email gathering and customer support.

Sales Letters

Using an autoresponder is an effective way to distribute a sales letter. For example, if you post to newsgroups and/or forums you can offer information about your business or perhaps a report. People indicate interest by responding with a blank email to the address you specify. The autoresponder sends back the information requested, and along with it your sales letter is included. How easy is that for free advertising?

Customer Support

If your business includes a customer support group, and you receive a lot of support questions that are very similar, you can create an autoresponder that includes a 'Frequently Asked Question" (FAQ) list that answers the most common questions asked about your products or services. Autoresponders also allow you to set up predefined answers to specific questions. By using an autoresponder in this way, you can significantly reduce your customer service load. Imagine if you were an Internet host provider and people wanted information on setting up their Email service. You can provide all or most of this information in an automated Email message. You require fewer 'live bodies' to man your support desk, and your customer can print out the instructions for ease of reference...definitely a win-win situation.

But the best thing about autoresponders is that they record the Email addresses of every contact who requests information from you. You can retrieve the addresses from the autoresponder log and use them to follow up with prospects. In this way you are creating a 'qualified prospect' list. You can even set up an autoresponder to Email messages at predetermined intervals. For example, during a holiday season you can send an Autoresponse Email with good wishes and a promotion for a seasonal product. Or, you might want to tell a customer that their subscription has expired. There are hundreds of reasons to use an autoresponder. They are an effective marketing tool that any business can benefit by.