One of the best marketing tools on the Internet is the auto-responder. This widely used marketing tool responds automatically to any email message sent to it. They are triggered by a blank email sent to the auto-responder email address.

For example, when someone sends an email to an auto-responder, the person receives an already prepared email message with the requested information. This happens automatically and almost instantaneously, depending on the internet and email servers.

Auto-responders are email on demand, making your information available to your prospects and customers 24/7. They can significantly increase sales with very little work on your part. In fact many businesses are able to run the majority of their online operation using auto-responders. They are also an excellent tool to help you track your ad responses and capture the email addresses of potential customers.

Heres an example of how you could use an auto-responder to increase your sales. You could put an email box right below the offer for your product or service. Place it just below the button people need to click to order.

Your box should say something like, To receive free, no-obligation information, put you email address in the box and we will send it to you. Have the form trigger a three message auto-responder. Each message should tell the prospect or customer more about your offer, the benefits it can bring, and other helpful information. You should also include links to your site and to the specific pages where your offer is featured.

Marketing studies show that only about 10% of people are true impulse buyers. Yet most web sites focus on getting their visitors to buy now, when in fact, most people need time to consider a purchase before they will enter their credit card or check information.

Here are some other ways you can effectively use auto-responders:

Distribute articles for publication.

Offer e-courses and reports on various subjects and use your signature file to promote your site of business.

Provide free information about your site, product, or business.

Immediately send information about your business opportunity to prospects and customers.

Distribute product listings and price lists.

Welcome people to your business opportunity or online organization.

Send thank you notes to customers who refer other prospects to you.

Send order confirmations.

Offer discounts and gift certificates to past customers.

One of the best uses of an auto-responder is to send a series of emails back to the requester. A good example of this is e-courses, where someone signs up for your course and is then sent a series of specific, prewritten, and informative emails sent at designated intervals, all automatically.

Always remember the golden rule of marketing: The more times a prospect is exposed to your marketing message the more it puts him or her in a state of purchase readiness. By using auto-responders you can ensure consistent and frequent communication with your prospects and customers which is the best way to turn them into customers who purchase what youre selling.

Copyright2006 by Joe Love and JLM & Associates, Inc. All Rights reserved worldwide.