Autoresponder Hell!
by Judith Kallos
Published
on this site: August 21st, 2004
Autoresponders are neato tools that allow incoming e-mail to you or through your
site to receive an automated response almost instantly. We've all
received these little acknowledgments sometimes not even being aware they
are automatically generated.
As with everything technology autoresponders
can be heaven or hell. When used properly they are an efficient information dissemination
tool that keeps those you communicate with or your site visitors happy by getting
them information pronto. However, when not used with common sense they can be
a nightmare for anyone who contacts you.
Lets cover the differences,
shall we?
Autoresponders are heavenly when...
- They are used
to help you be efficient by sending out predetermined information when an e-mail
is sent to a specific address or a form is completed.
- They let
the folks who communicate with you know your availability and when they can expect
a reply.
- They can allow you to market to a special niche when
the autos e-mail address is only provided to those you want to make it available
to.
Autoresponders are hell when
- You attach one to
your everyday e-mail address and then join mailing lists, eZines or newsletters.
- When
you attach one to your everyday e-mail address and those who e-mail you get your
autoresponder with each and every e-mail they send to you.
- When
you attach one to your e-mail address for your away or vacation message and do
not remove it promptly up your return.
Tips on Using Autoresponders:
- Be
sure the FROM: e-mail address field of your autoresponder message does not have
the same e-mail address as that of the autoresponder being sent. If a recipient
hits Reply, and they will, they just get your autoresponder again.
- Be
sure the FROM: e-mail address field of your autoresponder message is not an e-mail
address that uses another autoresponder. Too many automated responses can get
very impersonal fast. Have you called your ISP lately? Enough said.
- Another
reason to not have the FROM: field have an e-mail address that has an autoresponder
attached to it is if your message reaches a person who also has an autoresponder
on their e-mail address. You then create a virtual loop where each side keeps
automatically responding to each other creating thousands of back and forth e-mail
very quickly possibly causing your e-mail account to get shut down.
- Mark
your calendar or To Do list for your return to the office and turn
off your away/vacation autoresponder the moment you reach your desk if not
the night before.
- Make your away message professionally friendly
and be sure to include the name and contact information of someone who can be
reached in your absence.
- Autos are many times underutilized marketing
tools! Create a new e-mail address autoresponder for each sales or marketing effort.
This allows you track conversions as well as to shut them down when the information
is changed or your promotions are over.
When used properly, autoresponders
are great marketing and communication tools, but when not used smartly they
quickly become h. e. double toothpicks!
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored
Technology Muse whose experience, personalized methodology
and valuable Web sites have opened doors to a legion of online
entrepreneurs.
Are you http://www.TechnoChallenged.com?
Then you need to cheat! Programming, Software and OS Cheat Sheets Rock!
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