As I’m writing this article, it strikes me as funny that my spellchecker does not recognize the term “autoresponder”. In fact, unless you are running a business online, you probably have not heard the term either. Newcomers to online business may not have heard of autoresponders and if they have, probably do not know how to use one effectively.

An autoresponder is the most powerful tool in an online business owner’s arsenal. The proper use of an autoresponder can separate you from the rest of the pack that aren’t really serious enough about their online ventures yet to use an autoresponder to make serious money.

Successfully making money online can boil down to using this effective method. Autoresponders are an inexpensive way to automatically respond to emails. Face it, in this day and age, everyone expects instant gratification, especially online, and an autoresponder allows you to give that to your customers.

We all know that the money is in the list. An autoresponder is the best way to build your own list of customers. These are people who have willingly given you their name and email address. Now, you are able to follow up with them about their order, develop a trusting relationship with them, and send them information about your other products and services. It is a great way to make more sales.

Just think for a moment about all of the ways you could use an autoresponder for your online business. Basically, any information you have can be delivered via an autoresponder. You could offer a multi-part training course to attract visitors to your site. Just break up the information into parts and put it in your auto responder messages to be sent out at an interval you determine is best. Not only does this automate your business and save time, it establishes you as an expert to the recipient. As the course continues, they develop a trust for you when they realize how you have helped them. At the end of the course, you can offer your product or service that is related to your free course for sale to them. The odds of making that sale are greatly increased because now they feel they know you. This is not some sort of slick gimmick or trickery. It is a real relationship you are developing with your potential customers. For example, I just finished reading a course about how to write effective white papers. Now, each time I come across the name of the person who sent me this course, I notice it. I pay attention to what he has to say and really value his opinion. All of that just because he sent me a free course via an autoresponder.

When you use an autoresponder, you can attach a signature to your messages. This is basically an electronic version of the business card. You can include your name, your company, contact numbers and addresses and a brief message. The more exposure people have to your name, the more likely they will remember it and your services in the future.

If you are in network marketing, an autoresponder is a wonderful tool to provide training and information for your new members. You can send a series of short messages that answer common questions about your program and provide all your contact information. It’s a great way to keep in touch with your team and make sure they are in the loop. Just don’t make it the only way you communicate with them. The personal touch is still important.

You can also send customers autoresponder messages that include testimonials from other satisfied customers. People really enjoy reading testimonials about products and services.

How about putting the pages of your website in an auto responder? A lot of times, people don’t bookmark pages they’ve seen on the internet. This is a great way to remind them of who you are and what you offer.

If you write articles, you could create a master list of all the articles you’ve written about a particular topic and then promote that master list. In the master list, include all the article titles, a brief description, and the autoresponder link for each title. Then, all you have to do is promote that master list.

Autoresponders are a potent tool. If you are at the point in your online business where you want to become serious about making money and growing your business, you need to use one. They are the best way to grow your own list of customers and take care of them without having to spend your whole day responding to email requests.