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When your business is slow, like in the current economic conditions, there is a proven way to help things pick back up. Using autoresponders can make potential customers turn into new and repeat customers without much work on your part. It also helps stay in contact with that vital follow-up that leads to referrals and keeps customers coming back long after that first sale. They are much more than just emails; they are a way for you to connect and secure business. What is an autoresponder An autoresponder can act like a digital office assistant and help stay in touch with clients or potential clients. It will remind them that you are there to help and want to keep your business relationship open. It will also reassure them that your business is trustworthy and knowledgeable when they have questions. Though it would be simple to have a distribution list for ten or even fifty people, managing more names and emails can be a pain and take valuable time away from your business. Instead, an autoresponder takes away the headache and saves time and money when used to its full potential. How to choose the best autoresponder service Some things to keep in mind when choosing an autoresponder include delivery rates and opt-in choices. You want to find an autoresponder with delivery rates of 98% or better so that you know the email is getting to the recipient. With opt-in choices, you will normally see one or two choices. It is best to have two choices as only one will return more spam hits, and you could get dropped from your service if you get too much spam. Also, you want to look at reviews on the company website. Good companies will also carry a money-back-guarantee if their product is worth your time. Watch out for free services as they usually include ads that make your company look cheap. Ten tips Here are ten vital tips to help your business stay on top of the technology curve and keep your follow up current and legitimate for your target market. Most autoresponders are in the form of a newsletter or e-zine article. 1. Keep the content current and applicable to a wide audience. 2. Parts of the response should be customizable, so the clients name appears, and it feels more directed directly at them. 3. The process to get subscribers should be simple or else people will not be interested. 4. If possible have a plain text version of content for people who prefer not to receive large size emails with pictures. 5. Keep the number of times information is sent to a small number, like once per week as opposed to ‘daily digest’ content. Most people will unsubscribe if they are flooded with content they cannot get through in a short period of time. 6. Prepare your content in advance outside the autoresponder to be sure it is spell checked and proofread by others before it is sent off. 7. Watch current trends and be able to explain in layman terms what is going on in your market or industry. 8. Help point out potential pitfalls or things like recalls of products 9. Think about adding informative […]