« Once you start an email newsletter, do you have to keep sending it out? | Main | Email Newsletters: Are they different from email marketing? »
Do you need autoresponders to go with your email newsletters?
By Karen Skidmore | July 31, 2008
If you are thinking of starting up an email newsletter, one thing you need to consider is whether you need an autoresponder facility.
First of all, what is an autoresponder? An autoresponders are the fabulous automatic emails that are sent out when someone subscribes or purchases something from you on the web. Let me give you an example.
Last night, I took my daughter to see Kylie at the O2 (who was amazing, I hasten to add!) and the O2 have a wonderful email notification system that informs as well as upsells in a great way. A few days before going, I received an email that helpfully gave me all the instructions on how to travel to the O2. A day later, I then received an email offering a special offer of pre-concert drinks and meals at their “VIP lounge” (thanks, but no thanks - I just deleted it but would have thought about it I was going with a group of friends.)
This morning I received a “Thank You” email, saying that they felt they were only as good as the last event and asked for feedback as well as offering links to all relevant future gigs (good upsell again!).
All these emails were autoresponders. They had been re-written and programmed to go out at set days depending on when the event I actually attended was. And for self-employed professionals and home business owners, these emails are invaluable. No staffing costs, no complicated databased needed - just an autoresponder subscription that most email newsletter systems offer.
If you are planning (or already offering) workshops, downloadable products or even physical products, then autoresponders are a must-have facility. Make sure you take this in to consideration when you look for an email newsletter provider for your business.
For all the latest recommendations on email newsletter providers, as well as all the steps you need to take to create your own email newsletter, check out my home study programme - “Create an Email Newsletter in Just 30 Days!”
Topics: Getting started with email newsletters, Recommended email newsletter software |