Firstly, let’s us start off with a definition of Autoresponder (AR). Simply put, it is a program that automatically sends a reply with pre-designed responses to any email address that sends email to it. An autoresponder is also known as Infobot, Autobot, auto-mailer or responder.

Now to the advantages of an AR program to an Internet Marketer. It would firstly allow the Internet Marketer to capture the email addresses of visitors, so that he can build up targeted mailing list. Furthermore with it, he can offer a free related article to all of his subscribers.

With an AR program, prospects’ names are extracted for use in the follow up messages of the Internet Marketer. Emails can also be personalized with this tool; for with a personalized email, a prospect would be twice as likely to buy from Marketer.

An autoresponder is a 24/7, 365 days tool where it would automatically follow up with a series of email messages at a preset time intervals 24 hours a day. The Internet Marketer only needs to develop the follow messages and set up reliable time intervals. The main reason for this is that following up with any prospects could mean a 50% increase in sales. With a follow up messages, the product is reinforced in the prospect’s mind.

Therefore an AR program is also great for generating sales letters. For example, the Internet Marketer has a new product or review which is posted on a couple of forums and newsgroup, in which a sales letter can be added. Hence one only need to post the email address of the autoresponder and within seconds, the user would be reading about the product or review plus the sales letter.

Another important part of the AR program is that it allows the Internet Marketer to set up predefined answers to the most likely questions. This would enable him to save up to 70% of his customer service requirements.

Other key benefits of using an AR program are as follows:

– Introduction of business to prospective customers

– Listing of special offers for members

– Listing of benefits of joining the Internet Marketer’s website

– Comparison of own products and services with the competitors

– Provision of Testimonials of existing customers

– Generation of welcome letters for new members

– Thank you messages for new orders

– Generation of confirmation of orders

– Generation of acknowledgement of a query or a receipt of payment from a customer

– A reminder when a members’ subscription or free access period is about to end

An important remainder for those using the autoresponder is to have a copy of original email sent by the program to be sent to themselves. This is to enable them not to miss out on any potential question that may arise from these emails.

Hence in brief the importance of an autoresponder to any serious Internet Marketer.