Autoresponders

What are autoresponders?

Autoresponders provide an automated method of sending emails to your "list", either on a regular, pre-set schedule (autoresponder sequence) or on a one-time basis (broadcast email).

Are there different types of autoresponder?

You can buy autoresponder software to store on your server, and run your own. I don't recommend this option. It has the benefit of being a one-off cost, but the risks are enormous. The problem with autoresponders is that there will always be some people who, despite your better efforts and probably with no justification, report you as "spamming". You can get shut down immediately and you won't get back up again! There can also be problems with getting large numbers of emails out quickly and efficiently. Autoresponder software is better left to the experts.

The alternative is to subscribe to an autoresponder service. Obviously this is going to entail a monthly cost and will be more expensive in the long term, but there are many benefits. A good autoresponder service will give you live stats, efficient and easy creation, storage and scheduling of emails, tutorials on how to use autoresponders effectively, split testing possibilities, security in knowing that all subscribers are double opt-in and that you will have some comeback in the case of spam complaints, and so on. The fees are very reasonable for the services provided and the amount of time that a good service will save you.

Why do I need an autoresponder?

An essential part of building an opt-in list and running a newsletter (which are both essential parts of having an internet business of any sort), an autoresponder is probably the most important weapon in your arsenal.

The advantages of list-building are discussed elsewhere, but many internet marketing experts now believe that your list is your most important asset. A visitor to your website comes, and goes. A subscriber to your list can be approached many times over, and you can build a good loyal relationship with them and establish yourself as an expert they trust.

An autoresponder automates some slow and unpleasant tasks, such as storing email addesses, deleting obsolete email addresses, enabling you to pre-write and schedule your newsletters and e-course, and much more.

Many people start out with free newsletter hosting services such as YahooGroups - I certainly did! When my main newsletter reached nearly 20,000 I realised that at least half of those email addresses were obsolete and that there was no simple way for me to remove them from my list. Messages were often "eaten" by spam filters or bounced, they carried free advertisments on the top, and there were no clever split-testing facilities, no measuring of click-through rates and so on. When I made the change to a paid autoresponder I wished I had done so much earlier on!

Which Autoresponder Do I Recommend?

I have tried two autoresponder services, both very well known - GetResponse and Aweber.

I recommend Aweber.

I use Aweber to generate my newsletter subscription forms and pop-unders and to deliver my newsletters and autoresponder sequences. I have found them efficient and simple to use from the start. You pay a monthly fee which increases as your subscribers increase (by 10,000s I think), but which I have found very reasonable for the services offered. The live stats which they provide are compulsive viewing at first! I have never heard anyone complain about Aweber in any way, and I have been very pleased with the service they have provided me to date.