Wondering how to use an autoresponder? We're going to look at the top three uses of autoresponders in marketing: email, mobile, and web. Though there are numerous other applications for marketing autoresponders, we're going to stick with the most commonly used.
Pretty much anything that you can think of marketing-wise can be written, created, scheduled and sent out as an autoresponder, regardless of the medium. Autoresponders are incredibly versatile and handy.
Autoresponders can either be individual – a single, use communication, prescheduled – or in a series – like links for an online tutorial. The difference between autoresponders and any other type of marketing communication is that autoresponders are typically scheduled far in advanced and established so that when a customer does "X," a corresponding autoresponder is triggered.
How to use an autoresponder:
- Friendly reminders to customers about lapsed or unused accounts
- Regular webinar series
- Account activation welcome email
- Next chapter or book in ebook series
- Automatic email about account status
- Confirmation for a recent purchase
- Update customer on shipping status
- A special coupon on a customers' birthday
- Reminders of upcoming holidays and anniversaries
- Gift and decoration ideas for the holidays
- Daily, weekly or monthly deal opportunities
- Quarterly reports or shareholder updates
- How to write an autoresponder series
- Figure out the type of series you want to use
If you're just learning how to use an autoresponder, then, chances are, you're going to be looking at writing a very basic autoresponder series. Of the most commonly used autoresponders, the top three are "welcome," "reminder" and "regular sales."
A "welcome" autoresponder is just that: each time a customer signs up for your marketing messages or sets up an account with you online, a series of autoresponders may go out, not only letting your customers know what they signed up for, but also other important information.
"Reminder" and "regular sales" autoresponders sound also like they are. For customers that you haven't heard from in a while, a "reminder" autoresponder automatically goes out to customers that you haven't seen in, say, six months (all of these can be personalized to your particular needs). Where a "regular sales" autoresponder lets customers know that your annual, semi-annual, monthly or daily deal is approaching.
Keep content simple
Honestly, there's nothing more to it than that. Autoresponders aren't the place to pour on the information. Let your other marketing strategies do that for you.
Avoid lots of graphics
Most autoresponders (with some exceptions) are very basic in design. They're more like worker bees than the Queen. They get in, get out, and get the job done.
Above all, write basically, highlighting what the recipient gets in each autoresponder.
Ask recipients to "whitelist" your autoresponder email address – this just means that you'd like to be added to their email address book or "known" contacts listing.
Finally, remind recipients of the frequency of the autoresponder series. Essentially, let them know how often you're going to be sending them, whether its hourly, daily, weekly or even monthly.
Know that you know how to use an autoresponder, get started today! Sign up for a free 14-day trial of SimplyCast and get access to the Autoresponder tool to try all of these ideas for yourself!
