How Important are Autoresponders to You as an Affiliate Marketer?

byOnly1Hugh

1.7K followers

3 years ago

Before we touch autoresponders one of the indispensable assets of any marketer is a profitable email list. Data suggests that in the short term, the aim is to generate a return of $2 for every $1 you put in. Essentially a 100 percent return. If you are able to retain a customer’s email, the value of that initial $1 spend, could reach as much as $38 over the lifetime of the relationship. Not bad when you think about it.

Whether you agree with the numbers, or not, the basic truth is that, the longer the opportunity to maintain a customer relationship, the higher the likelihood of increasing your return on investment.

If you agree with me then there are four key steps that we as affiliate marketers should pursue in building our customer relationships. We need to

1. Attract – develop lead magnets (e.g. a free software subscription) to attract targeted customers
2. Capture – design highly converting opt-in pages to capture your leads
3. Nurture – have a follow-up sequence or system to nurture your leads
4. Monetize – have affiliate links or your own products to monetize your list

I want to focus on the nurturing stage and leave the other steps for another post.

Nurturing the Customer Relationship

So you might ask how do you go about nurturing a relationship with someone with whom, in most instances, you have absolutely no relationship?

If it is not yet part of your communication toolbox as an Affiliate Marketer then I encourage you to get to know autoresponders as they are essential. It makes no sense to hand over all your traffic to an affiliate program sponsor with the only benefit to yourself being the commission in the instant.

What is an Autoresponder?

Specifically, autoresponders are 'e-newsletters that are sent automatically to your subscribers on your mailing list. They are ‘triggered’ based on rules and time intervals that you define.

I put it to you that you simply cannot achieve sustainability, really blow up and succeed, or more importantly scale as a marketer, without the use of autoresponders. Autoresponders are like a golden tool used to achieve many of the marketing tasks that are essential to your success as an online business.

Autoresponders are used to help build your customer list, keep in contact with your past customers, and develop a relationship with potential customers.

While you have to strike a delicate balance on the volume of emails, an autoresponder can be used to deliver a sequence of cleverly crafted emails to woo your customers. These emails typically are aimed to cause your customer to take action. For example to attend an (online) event or to make a purchase. It can also be used to deliver email courses, send reminders, and even to help build an opt-in list if you don’t already have one. There are many creative ways you can use your autoresponder to make more sales and to build customer relations.

Autoresponder Benefits

1. Increase your response rate: Autoresponder emails typically will be opened faster than standard emails because they are triggered immediately upon a customer taking a particular action. For instance, you sign up for membership and receive an instant welcome message asking you to join a Facebook group.
2. Save time: Sending emails manually can take an inordinate amount of time particularly if you have a large email list. By using an autoresponder the entire email sending process is automated.
3. Engage your audience: Once a customer does not opt-out or unsubscribe from the email list you have the opportunity to continuously interact with the customer for your product launches, notifications, sales and so much more.
4. Create an instant connection: From the very first autoresponder email you have an opportunity to establish a one on one relationship with your customer. This positive impression in the minds of customers can be bolstered by delighting your customers with VIP access, insider scoops, special discounts and much more.

It would appear that if you want to be a successful marketer then it is vital to have an autoresponder.

Do you have an autoresponder? What has been your experience with them?

All the best,

Hugh