Following are some basic tasks which most AutoResponders will facilitate for you:

• Create e-mail signup forms
• Facilitate a welcome or thank you email when someone subscribes and deliver the download link for any report you may have promised as “bait”
• Send automatic updates to your list when add new posts by linking to an RSS feed from your site
• Allow you to send a time-triggered (daily, weekly, etc) series of follow-up messages
• Allow you to send periodic broadcast messages to your list, such as for a Black Friday special
• Provide some kind of design or editing interface for creating your e-mails, often with templates provided