Look Out! Is Your Business on Auto-Pilot?

First there was the fax-on-demand...information received instantly by using a  fax machine. Then the  Internet evolved into the use of e-mail, producing email-on-demand with the use of autoresponders. 

An autoresponder is just what the name implies.  It is an auto response that is programmed to automatically deliver a specific message upon receiving the request.
 
Autoresponders allow your business to be operational around the clock 24 hours a day - 7days a week - 365 days a year.  A good example is the Customer Service link provided on so many web sites. 
 
Once you have sent your question or comment to the Customer  Service link, you receive an auto-reply message acknowledging receipt of your  message. 
 
Autoresponder messages can by used in a variety of ways delivering  your strategic information instantly to your targeted viewer /audience.  Newsletters, sales information, free reports, even ecourses, articles and tutorials are just a few of the ways autoresponders can be used effectively. 
 
Follow up is critical  to keeping  your name, service or product in front of your prospects and clients.  Autoresponders allow you to deliver your follow up messages  automatically, specifically, and most importantly....timely, to your target
audience!
 
Most all of us are familiar with signing up to receive news about impending sales or discounted items automatically from retail  stores.  Our e-mail address is entered into their mailing list and the requested  information is automatically sent right back using an autoresponder. 
 
But are you aware you too can send pre-determined messages  with specific information related to your business, to your  prospects and /or clients at pre-set intervals? 
 
For example, let's say a prospect, client or customer visited your web site and responds to a link on your site to receive more information on your services or products. 

Immediately your first autoresponse message goes out thanking them for expressing an interest and giving them the basics on your services or products and any other information in their initial request. 

A couple of days later your 2nd message automatically goes out.  This is the perfect time to let them know about who you are, your experience, and what you do.... your credentials and area of expertise. 

A few days later (don't wait too long), your 3rd message automatically goes out.  This could be testimonials  and feedback from clients or customers stating the positive experiences they have had as a result of doing business with you.  This will associate value with your services. 

A couple of days later your 4th message goes out with maybe a free offer, a free bonus, article, special report, or specific tips related to your services or products.  If you have an online newsletter (ezine) this is an excellent time to offer a link to your free subscribe area. 

Your 5th message could be your final (pitch) response message.  Offer any additional products or services you may have that would be of benefit (solve their problem) to your client or customer.  Usually by about the 4th or 5th message  you have a new client or customer. 

The number of messages sent is entirely up to you based on the information you are delivering. If you are offering a tutorial or an e-course for example there could be message for up to 6 weeks or longer.  I recently subscribed to receive 89 messages (one a day for 89 days) on a specific subject. 

A good impression to ending your response messages, and one more time your name is in front of your audience, is a short survey asking for feedback on your services or your products.  This is an excellent way to receive testimonies for use on your web site or other marketing materials. 

Using the above example, you can see how autoresponders keep your name and your specific information in front of your targeted prospects, clients, and customers making the critical follow up as easy as (message) 1, 2, 3. 
 
For those of you interested in creating the autoresponder messages  yourself for your business, here are the addresses of a few of the most widely used autoresponders:
 
www.getresponse.com,
www.sendfree.com,
www.aweber.com, 
www.responders.com,
www.autoresponders.org,
www.freeautobot.com,
 
As you can see, having your business on auto pilot using an autoresponder means your time can be better spent marketing your business, creating new services or products (increasing your revenue), or enjoying more quality time with family and friends.       
 
Autoresponders allow you to conduct this critical follow up part of your business to your targeted audience continuously and automatically with little upkeep on your part....allowing you to say, yes,  your business IS on Auto-Pilot!