How to use autoresponders to increase your sales

Autoresponders are one of the most effective marketing tools available to business owners, but they’re also one of the least understood and least used. The beauty of autoresponders is you can create an entire marketing campaign that runs itself, with no added input from you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In this article we’ll look at what they are, how they work and how to use autoresponders to increase your sales.

An autoresponder is basically a series of emails that are sent out automatically, at times you specify. Often autoresponders “kick in” when someone fills in a form on your website to get more information, perhaps a report or ebook, or access to watch a video. Once they give you their email address they are automatically added to the autoresponder programme. They’ll receive an email almost instantly that gives them the information they requested, and you can then send them more information every few days or weeks.

While you might think your products and services are irresistible, not all buyers are impulse buyers – in fact, research that shows that less than 15% of your web visitors will buy on impulse. People don’t buy immediately because they want time to consider their purchase, or to research their options, or because they’re not convinced about the benefits straight away. If you offer your visitors a free report or newsletter and they sign up for it, you know they’re interested, and you have the chance to keep in contact with them so they don’t forget you or your products. You can also help them with the research process by sending more information, for example reviews and testimonials, or letting them know about sales or special offers that might persuade them to buy. And because autoresponder messages are sent automatically, the system will work whatever time of day your visitors are browsing the website.

Another way to use autoresponders is to distribute courses. For example, if you sell SEO services you could invite people to sign up for a free six week course in DIY SEO. Once you’ve set up the series of emails they’ll be sent out automatically and provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge. And while some people may well go away and use the information to DIY their SEO, others will realise you’re the expert and give the job to you – especially if you make them an enticing offer in one of the emails!

You can also use autoresponders to keep in touch with clients. Once someone buys from you, you can create an autoresponder that sends out a purchase confirmation, receipt, thank you note, despatch note and follow up emails with special deals to encourage them to buy again.

Quite simply, using autoresponders helps you run your business more easily because you can keep in contact with your leads and customers without having to be in front of the computer. If you’d like to try out using autoresponders yourself, have a look at our Email and Autoresponder Service, which starts at just £20 a month, or give us a call on 01793 608777.

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net