Using Autoresponders to Get Ahead in Internet Marketing

One of the first and most important things you need to be aware of when setting up as an online marketer, is the need for an autoresponder. I used to think an autoresponder was just an email that pinged back to people who emailed you when you were out of the office, but it's much more than that. An autoresponder is a tool that automates all your emails and can be sent out according to your delivery timetable.

In order to market your products or services online it is essential to build a subscriber list (or even multiple lists for different niches or sub-niches) and then build a relationship with them. When you are starting out it is manageable to email people individually, but as your internet marketing business (and your list) grows this just isn't practical or scalable. Autoresponders assist this process.

Using an autoresponder will help you to:

- Welcome and build rapport with your new subscribers
- Add value and build profitable relationships with your loyal subscribers
- Maintain visibility to your customers and prospects
- building trust and confidence
- Manage and keep track of your various lists in multiple niches
- Automate your internet marketing business (emails are sent automatically)
- Understand better who opens your messages, clicks your links etc
- Effectively deliver emails during the days and time periods when prospects are most likely to read, click links and order products

So how do you use an autoresponder?

Firstly you need to set up an account with an autoresponder service - and a quick Google search will show there are many autoresponders on the market. AWeber is certainly very popular in the world of internet marketing, but iContact, GetResponse and Email Cloud also get good customer reviews. There are fees involved so do your due diligence before setting one up.

Once you're set up, you can create an email series of valuable content to be automatically delivered to your list and then followed up at set time intervals. When creating a message in your autoresponder account there is an option to personalise your messages with their first or full name as well as geographical information etc. These variables add a personal touch to your messages that help grow trust and retain relationships with your subscribers.

Use your email series to welcome them, to educate, inform, inspire and even to entertain.... and on an ongoing basis you can use the system to keep in regular contact with topical information of interest to them. The important thing is to add value: in order to use autoresponders effectively for maximum benefit (ie profit) you absolutely must provide your subscribers with value. By regularly emailing your list with content of value to them and not just trying to push a product, you will build a strong connection so they will not only read your emails, but look forward to receiving them, maybe even respond to them, visit your site and become more likely to do business and repeat business with you. People buy from those they know and trust, and an autoresponder helps you build that trust. This is the key, especially in the competitive world of internet marketing, and it's worth investing your time on. It will take time and effort to write an email series and set up the autoresponders to begin with, but once you're set up, your efforts will be rewarded. Automate the process as much as possible and then you can kick back and watch the results unfold.

Use autoresponders well as a marketing tool and they can be an extremely effective way to build a relationship with your subscribers and make money online.

With over 17 years of sales and marketing experience, Lisa Oliver is an internet marketer and mentors others to achieve success online. Find out more about her revolutionary home business opportunity [http://lisa-oliver.com/opportunities/] and get your 7 day FREE Wealth Online Bootcamp [http://meetlisaoliver.com/].