subject: What Customized Autoresponders Can Do For Your Business [print this page] Autoresponders are tools that companies with an online presence can use to keep in touch with their customers and grow their businesses. When combined with the customized software available today, the tools can be even more effective. This article looks at what the autoresponder can do for your business and why customizing your responses can make a difference.
An autoresponder can be used for many purposes. The programs have reduced the need to constantly monitor emails from clients and customers. They do not completely eliminate the need for a human reply. In many cases, they simply notify the sender that their email has been received and a reply is pending.
Autoresponders are also used for marketing. Companies with an online presence can offer visitors the option to "opt-in" for a free newsletter, to get updates on coming events or receive coupons. Sending out these newsletters or other emails manually is time intensive.
As most business owners are aware, time is money. When you save time, you save money. So, an autoresponder is a money saving tool.
Customized software programs can be used to ensure that the customer receives only information that would be of interest. A small company just starting out might have only one script or advertisement that goes to everyone that opts in.
As time goes by and the business grows, a company could have dozens of different categories of interest. While asking a visitor for too much information in the opt-in area could have a negative impact, including 4-6 categories for them to choose from seems to work out very well.
The customer gets the information. Your company gets an email address. Email ad campaigns are essentially worthless today. Most unsolicited emails get stuck in a spam filter and no one ever sees them.
Customized software will help reduce the risk that emails sent by autoresponders will be tagged as spam. The script should advise your customers to help by including your email address in their list of contacts. But, many customers will forget to take that step.
Customized software can be used to create a variety of different messages. These varied messages are less likely to get tagged as spam.
For contacting repeat customers or sending follow-up emails, you and your employees can enter information about each customer into your company's database. The autoresponder will take that information and send a relevant email.
The bottom line is this. Autoresponders are valuable tools. But, your customers will be more appreciative of your messages if they are customized.
