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The Auto-Responder… Your Future Fortune

Posted by Joe LoFreso on Sep 4, 2010 in Featured Articles, Network Marketing | View Comments

The subject of my article is the auto- responder. I’m going to touch on the importance of using an auto- responder for your marketing business, traditional brick and mortar business, foundation, or just about any business you can think of.

What is an Auto-Responder?

An auto-responder is a powerful tool that stores the information of everyone who has ever put their name and e-mail on an opt-in form on your website.
A quality auto-responder allows you to be able to send out E-mail messages, online flyers, videos, notices, specials on offers, and just about anything you can come up with to communicate with your contacts, and so much more, with just the click of a mouse.

I’m going to keep it simple though without elaborating, so if you’re not familiar with what an auto-responder is, you’ll get the picture.

Once someone’s information gets in your auto-responder, you have the option to be able to send out a series of messages that you can set up in advance, and on auto- pilot. Now, you are dripping responses to people automatically, thus the name “Auto Responder”.

An auto-responder is the heartbeat of any business. The information in your auto-responder or data-base is your future fortune.

Once someone inquires about your business, they might buy right then, or they may not. Without their information being stored in your auto-responder or data-base, you are at risk to have a  potential future customer slip right through your fingers, and may possibly never see them again.

This is unfortunate, because you created your website, you figured out a way to drive someone to your website, and you failed on the third and most important step, which is capturing them as a lead for life.

By having them stored in your data-base, you will never lose that contact. You are now in the position to correspond with them and build a relationship with that person.
Now you have a good chance of them buying from you next time, even if they don’t buy what you have to offer right then. It’s an accumulative thing that happens over time that exponentially could make a huge difference on your bottom line.

I’m going to give you a few different business scenarios that an auto-responder could be used for, and some ideas on how to get people to want to give you their information.

Online Network Marketing
Once you have driven traffic to your website, you should offer something of value to them in the form of a free offer that they can only get by opting into your auto-responder on your website and inputting their name and address, and in some cases, their phone number.
The reason I said that is most people are uncomfortable giving out their phone number because they don’t want to be pitched over the phone. You will have more success if you leave the phone option out.
Once your auto-responder has been populated with their contact information, you could send them a series of free information that could help them in their business, of course, automatically.
By doing that, you are building a relationship with someone who is appreciative of the free value you are giving them. The value is usually in the form of tips on the proper steps to help build their business.

You can then, or should suggest a marketing tool that they can purchase to implement what they learned after the free tutorial. Of course, you would set up an affiliate account for every tool that you suggest. When they buy, you would then receive a commission on that sale, usually on the average of 40% of the cost of whatever they buy.

Front-end them with Free value to them. Build a relationship with them as someone who has something to offer them, with no strings attached, and they may think about joining you in your business opportunity.

Either way, it’s a win – win situation, and a few good things could happen.

1) You’re building your data-base.
2) If they don’t join you in your primary business, you could still earn money selling them affiliate products to infinity.
3) They may join you in your business opportunity at a later date.
4) You could still make money from the people who won’t join you in your primary business.
5) And you have the capability to drip them information as to why they should re-consider joining you in business.

What if you have a traditional business…

Let’s say a Pizza Parlor... Why would you want an auto – responder to build you a data–base for that?
First, it’s an inexpensive form of advertising to a very targeted market of people, who already like pizza, or they wouldn’t already be in your data–base.
I talked earlier about giving them free value to give them a reason to enter their name and e-mail on your autu responder. Now, what Free thing you could offer them, that they would like, if you had a Pizza Parlor?
How about a Free slice of Pizza, or a fountain drink…
Don’t you think it would be valuable for you to be able to send out to hundreds to thousands of households who have already ate your pizza, and who know where you are located, specials like: Buy 2 – Get one Free, A Free Drink with an Order of Pizza, you get the picture.

And have the capability to do that with just a click of your mouse, from your auto – responder. And you cost to advertise as often as you like, is virtually nothing, Absolutely FREE.
Remember, your data-base is the key to your future fortune.
It doesn’t have to be pizza. I’m using that as an example. Be creative and adapt that concept to any business.


How about Foundations and Fundraisers?

For Foundations and Fundraiser websites, having a name and e-mail opt. in form on your website is crucial to building a following to your cause. You could ask for their name and e-mail to send them updates on future fundraiser events. Possibly have products for sale to promote your cause, such as tee-shirts, with the revenue going toward your foundation or cause.
An auto-responder is very inexpensive to have, especially for what it can do for your business.

The two top auto- responders available, that are being used by the majority of businesses are A-Weber and Get Response.
I use A-Weber myself, and feel it is, hands down, the best.
A-Weber is a download software, that can be up and running within a matter of minutes.
The cost of A-Weber is under $20 per month. If you pay quarterly, it’s less than $17 per month, and if you purchase for one year, the savings are even greater.
If you are considering using an auto-responder, either now or in the future, Click on the link http://JoeLoFreso.com/aweber to get signed up, and start building your data-base for whatever you do in the future.

Please feel free to share this article with anyone you know that could use this essential tool.
Yours in success,
Joe LoFreso

  • http://LarryBilich.com Larry Bilich

    Hello Joe,

    I gotta tell ya, you pretty much coverd the value of a good autoresponder and what all one could do with it. Great Job!

    I like autoresponders because I can be talking with people and build relationships while I’m enjoying life and not so tied down in front of the computer all day long.

    Keep these great posts coming!

    Wishing you all my best :)

  • http://JoeLoFreso.com Joe LoFreso

    Thanks Larry,
    Auto -responders do make life easier and much more profitable.

  • http://www.passion101.com/blog Dr. Adam Sheck

    Joe,
    Great post on autoresponders. They really ARE essential to any online business, as the list is so critical. I had a self-hosted one for over a year and thought it was great, but then realized the disadvantages of doing it myself. Went to MailChimp, which is a very FUN one and what I really love are the great statistics on who opens, who clicks through, etc. A-Weber is certainly the most popular, so I know it’s a great one, too.
    Thanks so much,
    Adam

  • Montyferbert

    autoresponders Joe are a must have in any type of business people just don’t realize the importance of building that list. Because they don’t yet see these are value customers meaning repeat sales even if your giving away free information they purchase giving time to check out what interests them. When given value for signing up they always do.
    Sincerely
    Monty Ferbert

  • http://LauraMPaulson.com Laura Paulson

    Hey Joe, very thorough overview of autoresponders. I use aweber as well.

    I believe your statement “Front-end them with Free value to them. Build a relationship with them as someone who has something to offer them, with no strings attached..” is extremely important and an Absolute Key when building a list.

    Thanks, Laura

  • http://www.tgreenrn.com Lesly

    Hey Joe,
    I just signed up with them and getting the hang of it. I LOVE that you can create different webforms and lists. I haven’t figured out how to make a email course yet, but working on it. I also like the name of your blog!!! Glad to be here to check you out – wonderful!

  • http://www.tgreenrn.com Lesly

    Hey Joe,
    I just signed up with them and getting the hang of it. I LOVE that you can create different webforms and lists. I haven’t figured out how to make a email course yet, but working on it. I also like the name of your blog!!! Glad to be here to check you out – wonderful!

  • http://www.tgreenrn.com Lesly

    Hey Joe,
    I just signed up with them and getting the hang of it. I LOVE that you can create different webforms and lists. I haven’t figured out how to make a email course yet, but working on it. I also like the name of your blog!!! Glad to be here to check you out – wonderful!

  • http://www.yourowngpsbiz.com GPS Business Anna

    Hi Joe,

    My husband convinced me to sign up for aweber a little while ago. I didn’t understand really why I was doing this, but now I am getting the picture. Thanks for the great info.

    Anna

  • http://maverickbusinessblog.com/blog Jerome Ratliff

    Hey Joe,

    You did an excellent job on sharing what good an auto-responder can be for any business. When I started using one, about 2 years ago, it was so foreign to me. Shortly after I figured it (which isn’t that hard to do), I was loving it. It makes communicating with your list so much easier.

    Jerome Ratliff

  • http://twitter.com/DeniseMckenLon Denise Mcken

    Hi Joe,

    You’ve given some great reasons as to why a business, no matter what business it is, should have an autoresponder.

    It’s suprising how many still don’t even know what one is. I hope all the people that really need to see this post read it soon!

    Denise

  • http://www.wendy-hewlett.com Wendy Hewlett

    Hi Joe,

    You explain the use of auto-responders in a simple and easy to understand manner. Anyone doing business online would be remiss not to incorporate an auto-responder campaign into their marketing strategy. “The money is in the list” and the auto-responder is the automated builder of your list.
    I use GetResponse, but I think that AWeber is superior in regards to web forms.

    Wendy

  • Melodie Kantner

    Hi Joe,

    Good stuff on autoresponders. I have been using them for over 12 years. It’s a MUST HAVE tool for any business. Aweber is my choice as the best.

  • http://mywebgal.com/blog/ Deb

    Hi Joel, You raised great points about using autoresponders. It may take work to set them up, but they are a great way to follow up and stay in the customer’s mind. Thanks for the tips and ideas.

  • Belinda A Cunningham

    Joe, Good post on autoresponders, explains it nicely. Thanks Belinda

  • http://www.facebook.com/tedhunsaker Ted Hunsaker

    Hi Joe, Great post about using an Auto Responder for your business. You need to be able to capture visitor’s information so that you can follow up with them and build relationships with them.

  • http://www.bizplanit.com/blog Scott Pollov

    Joe, Great over on autoresponders. For years, I have had been giving away free information on my site. I have now turned that information into several downloadable files and my mailing list has exponentially grown. Thanks for sharing the brick-and-mortar examples. Sometimes we internet focused people forget there is an offline world as well.

  • http://www.ButterflyNetworking.com Carla Social Media Mentor

    Hey Joe, I so agree with people not wanting to be “pitched” over the phone! I too no longer ask for a phone number and have found it to be much more effective.

    Great article, well put together and thorough.
    Thanks!

  • Anonymous

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Pizza! :)

    I use Aweber now. much better than my previous email marketing companies.

    Thanks for sharing this important message.

  • http://www.mikepedersen.com Mike Pedersen

    Hey Joe!

    Very thorough post on autoresponders. You’ve covered everything. Having been an email marketer for 10 years now, I don’t know what I’d do without my autoresponders. They are my lifeline in my online business(s).

    Regards,
    Mike

  • http://www.daveanddawncook.com/ daveanddawncook

    Hi Joe,
    First visit to your blog and I like this post. You have very simply explained the benefits of using an auto responder to build your list and like you said, your future business. As Mike Dillard says your list is your business.
    Your consistent value-filled communication with your list will build the relationships and make a purchase from your contacts much more likely. Auto-responders are such an excellent way to do this with ease.
    Thanks again for your great explanation that so many will understand!
    ( Dave) and Dawn

  • http://RafaelCantu.com RafaelCantu

    Joe,

    Autoresponders (as you mention) are great for all businesses. The lead nurturing automation is one of the weakest links for small businesses. Autoresponders allow small business owners to plan in advance what they want their message to be in each stage of the prospecting and sales process.

    Thank you for sharing,

    Rafael

  • http://twitter.com/arthurjrisme Arthur Bernier Jr.

    Hello Joe,

    “An auto responder is the heartbeat of any business” I couldn’t have quoted it any better. I dont think my business would survive without it. For all new online marketers, this is one of the top 10 must haves. Loved the post. Love your subtitle of your blog, wish i thought of that.

    Have a good one,
    Tara

  • http://PeterFuller.org/ Peter Fuller MBA

    Hey Joe

    Great examples of how to use an auto-responder, some forget that as a tool it is not only for internet marketers.

  • http://manifestyourdestinyonline.com Curt Bizelli

    Hey Joe,
    Excellent blog post about auto-responders. This is one of the first things I picked up when doing online marketing, but I never got around to actually setting up the letters. You offer a lot of great information here. Its also important to remember to take action, set aside the social networking for a day or so and actually set up the autoresponder. Once you get it set up, YOU’RE SET! ;-) Blessings!
    Curt

  • Gary Young- China Sourcing

    Joe,
    I struggle with the MLM business as it relates to my brick and mortar business of sourcing products and services in China. My target is CEOs ONLY. To date I am in for for SEO. But you have given me some auto responder ideas and that is much appreciated.

  • http://JoeLoFreso.com Joe LoFreso

    Hi Gary,
    Thank you for the comment. The auto responder can be , or should I say,
    should be, able to be applied to any type of business. Follow up’s are so
    important. Have you ever been, or are you involved in an MLM? If so, which
    one?
    Have a great day,
    Joe LoFreso

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