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autoresponder is useful for, well, responding to people who send you inquiries
through email. They are actually more than just merely useful - they are an essential
tool in any webmaster's toolbox. Used properly, they can enhance your visitors
experience and virtually guarantee that they will come back time after time. Used
improperly, they annoy people and push them away from ever coming back.
What distinguishes proper from improper use? People should receive messages when
they would normally expect to receive messages. Here are some examples:
Proper: I expect to get a thank you message after signing a guestbook. I should
only receive one message.
Improper:
adding my email to your mailing list because I sign your guestbook. Proper:
I also expect to get a message if I use a form on a website to send a message
to the webmaster. This verifies to me that it is indeed more than likely to get
to the intended person. Improper:
again, adding my email address to your mailing list. Proper:
If I sign up for your newsletter I expect a thank you email and, of course, the
newsletter. Improper:
Adding my email to anything other than the mailing list which I asked to be added
to. Also, sending anything other than the newsletter is generally improper although
an occasional status email is acceptable. Never send separate advertisements unless
it is clearly spelled out on the newsletter signup page. Proper:
Following your written privacy policy to the letter in regards to how the email
address (and other information) is to be used, and to summarize that information
on the page where it is asked for. You should also have a link to the privacy
policy on every single page of your web site. Improper:
Not having a written privacy policy and asking for information. Not explaining
how the information is to be used on the page where it is asked for. Not following
your written policies. Proper:
Including autoresponder links on your website to deliver articles and information
to an email box. Improper:
Using these links to add email addresses to your mailing list. Proper:
If you make articles available for reprint, it is always a good idea to include
autoresponder links to make it easy for publishers to get those articles in a
suitable format. Improper:
Using these autoresponder links to add people to your mailing list. Proper:
Allow visitors to sign up for an email course using an autoresponder. Improper:
Adding email addresses obtained in this manner to your mailing list. Proper:
Follow up for an order or other communication. For example, a "did you receive
your order okay?" message a few days after the order was taken is excellent
customer service. Improper:
Sending more than an acknowledgement and follow up message. The person ordered
something, he did not ask to be on your mailing, advertisement or nag list. I
am sure you see a major common thread in all of this - don't add people to your
mailing list unless (a) you tell them you are doing to, (b) you give them the
chance to say "no", and (c) they explicitly give their permission. NEVER
assume your visitor wants to be added to your mailing list - make him explicitly
ask by filling out a form, checking a box (off by default) or some other similar
means.
Autoresponders have some excellent uses:
As an acknowledgement or thank you for something.
As a way to get something delivered in email form (reprint publishers love this
method of obtaining articles).
As a way to deliver a series of something (like an email course) to someone.
One use of autoresponders that drives me crazy (and ensures that I will never
return to that site) is common with contests. Let say I sign up to try and win
a million dollars. I try and of course I don't win. Now I get these silly reminder
messages for the rest of time, telling me in all manners that I've won, or almost
won, or could win, or might win ... I usually hit delete a few times, then quickly
unsubscribe.
All right, so now you know how to use and not to use autoresponders. So where
do you get them? They are available all over the internet. If your site is hosted
on a paid host (such as Addr.com), you may find that they offer unlimited autoresponders.
If so, take advantage of them. These are generally single-message autoresponders.
GetResponse.com has an excellent autoresponder service. They offer a limited function
free version, and one of the most functional paid versions that exist. Their prices
are reasonable and the autoresponders always seem to work perfectly.
AWeber.Com has another excellent autoresponder service. Of course, any good guestbook
package has the ability to send a customizable message to the signer. Good forms
packages also include this ability.
Now, what do you put into an autoresponder messages? Whatever you said or implied
you would, plus some ticklers to try and get your visitors to come back to your
site.
Thus, if you send back a thank you message for signing a guestbook, you can also
include a short list of some of the other features available on your website.
Perhaps a small article or even a link to a "free gift" for signing
the guestbook.
Remember, don't make the two mistakes of autoresponders. First, do not waste your
opportunity. You are sending a person a message which he asked for or expects,
so be sure to include more than just "thanks for signing my gustbook".
At least put the URL of your site, and include a paragraph about it.
Second, do not abuse your opportunity, as that will just get the message deleted.
I've found it is generally NOT a good idea to put blatant advertisements in these
messages, especially for pay-to-surf, MLM or affiliates. Why not? I believe these
things are best left to your website or to a newsletter or ezine specifically
tailored for them. A major exception is in a newsletter itself, as, like magazines
and newspapers, advertisements are expected in order to cover the costs of the
publication.
In summary, autoresponders are an excellent tool which all webmasters would be
wise to use to their advantage. Just be sure to use them properly.
About The Author
Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets. This website includes
over 1,000 free articles to improve your internet profits, enjoyment and knowledge.
Web Site Address: http://www.internet-tips.net
Weekly newsletter: http://www.internet-tips.net/joinlist.htm
Claudia Arevalo-Lowe is the webmistress of Internet Tips And Secrets and Surviving
Asthma. Visit her site at http://survivingasthma.com
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