subject: Using Autoresponders To Drive Your Online Business [print this page] For many of us that have been in the online business arena, we know that autoresponders are definitely a way to drive your online business and save tons of time. But what is an autoresponder exactly, I have never heard of it before I started my own business. I may have thought it was some sci-fi action hero or even a medical term; boy would I have been wrong.
So what is an autoresponder?
An autoresponder is a computer program that automatically answers an email or request sent to it. A good example is when you sound out an email and sometimes get a response back that reads something like "your email could not be delivered because......". In today's world they have been used more heavily for marketing, which saves the business owners tons of time and money.
How do I get an one?
While I currently use AWeber for all my auto responding needs and wants, there are many different options out there available. With AWeber I not only get the option of setting up autoresponders but also to send out blog posts and updates. You can go online and search autoresponders in the search box and be given multiple options. While I can only speak specifically about Aweber because I have used them from my first day of my business and have had zero problems. Setting up an AWeber account is quite simple and there are numerous tutorial videos on how to accomplish this task on their site and online.
Why would I want an autoresponder?
Oh boy, do I have a lot to teach you; but that's OK I understand as I was also asking these questions before. So you are wondering if using autoresponders to drive your online business actually works; the survey says "yes"*, notice the asterisk though. This autoresponder set up is not the golden key, the silver bullet, or magic potion that will make you millions. You will need to add some attention to your lists and send out more great information and valuable content.
How can I use an this in my business?
It doesn't matter if you are selling pencils on the corner sidewalk or have your own law firm. If you have a website or blog, you can maximize your customers with an opt in box and an autoresponder. Below is a good example:
Let's say that you owned a Lawn and Garden Business that did everything from selling tools to fertilizer and you had your own website that you regularly posted information on. This could be information ranging from the differences between a hydrostatic and manual transmission on a riding lawn mower to the differences between different fertilizers and when to put them down. On your site you could offer a free how to video on "how to put down fertilizer properly and which spreaders do the best job", this would be in the form of an opt in box. Once people have opted in for this "free video" you now have their information and you now can start marketing to them in the way of education. You can send them information on a weekly basis in the form of videos or articles on subjects like new mowers that just came out, how to change your lawn mower blades, how to reduce grubs in your yard. People will start seeing you as a leader and an expert in the Lawn and Garden Business and they will migrate towards you when they need products for their lawn.
As you can see in the example above it is quite easy to use this to drive your online business. You say you don't have an online business, if you have a brick and mortar business but have a website; you have an online business. If you have no website, you better get one and look me up to help you with ideas and tips and tricks to make it awesome!
