Autoresponder:
An Autoresponder is
an e-mail program which automatically responds to certain,
predefined occurrences such as an incoming e-mail, a new
subscription to an opt-in
list or an incoming order.
Especially for
managing and servicing his mailing
list a good Autoresponder
is an indispensable tool for every Internet marketer as a big
list of responsive subscribers is his most valuable
asset.
More advanced
autoresponders offer several valuable functions in addition to
just one e-mail response:
-
you can send a
whole series of emails at predefined intervals like
e.g. an email course in several parts to a new mailing
list subscriber
-
you can distribute
marketing- or other messages to your whole list anytime
you want
-
you can subdivide
your whole list into several categories and send
messages just to a specific subdivision
Autoresponders can be
employed in two different ways:
-
As software
installed on your own computer with the advantage that
it’s only a one-time expense and you have full control
over the application. The disadvantage is that your ISP
might not allow you bulk mailing and might limit the
amount of emails you can send in a given unit of time.
Even if not, bulk mailing from your own computer might
impose some strain on your bandwidth.
-
As a web based
service. Advantages are that it doesn’t stress your own
resources and your valuable mailing list might be safer
against computer crashes or virus attacks when stored
in the database of a professional service. The downside
is that, even if there are free services as well,
really good autoresponders charge a monthly
fee.
Another highly important
factor in choosing the best autoresponder is the delivery rate.
With most ISPs using spam filters you are in danger that a
great part of your mailings are not delivered in the designated
e-mail inboxes. Delivery rates of 50% and below with less
renowned services are not uncommon. This would mean that only
about a half of your messages get through if you would use such
a service. That’s why it is worth a notion to invest a bit more
in an autoresponder service with high reputation.
[Origin of Autoresponder: auto- as short
form of automatic comes from Greek autómatos =
spontaneous, acting without human agency;
-responder
is from Latin re- = back,
in return and spondere =
to promise, pledge]
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Recommended
Resources:
As web
based Autoresponder services with the
highest reputation and a delivery rate
around 95%
A little recommendation within
the recommendations box: Many beginning
Internet marketers starting to build
their lists try to save money and choose
a cheap or free Autoresponder service.
Once their list has grown above a certain
size they realize that this service is
not sufficient for their needs anymore.
Then they choose a better one like Aweber
but have to mail all their subscribers
that they should please opt-in again with
the new service. This way they lose a
considerable number of subscribers. So,
if you are a beginner who just wants to
try if he can make money online, it’s
okay to choose a lower quality service.
But if you are determined to make it then
plan ahead by selecting services right
from the start which will go the whole
way with you.
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