July 22nd "Autoresponders In Your World" Series, Part 19.

Smart Autoresponders that Go Beyond List-Building.

Everybody knows how great autoresponders are for building a responsive list of subscribers and prospects for online or “bricks and mortar” business.

However, did you know that they can also help you become a recognized leader in your niche? Think about it – why not use your expertise to create an e-mail course that plugs directly into your autoresponder? Now, instead of individual messages or the occasional broadcast, you can cover specific topics that highlight your knowledge and experience. Before you know it, people will be beating down your virtual door to access your training sessions!

Alternatively, you can derive inspiration from the education system, where several novel uses for autoresponders can be found. For example, many university professors send messages to students reminding them about pending assignments and examinations. Teachers at all levels often upload study guides and class lectures for frequently taught courses. Assuming limited year-to-year changes, everybody wins: students have ready access to course material 24/7, and teachers save precious class preparation time to focus on other issues.

Upcoming events in corporations, government offices, and colleges alike present another opportunity for autoresponder use. Assuming sufficiently advance notice, messages can be set up almost immediately and integrated into personal calendars days or weeks in advance. Think of the convenience for potential participants like university alumni who must make travel arrangements to visit from out of town.

Today, businesses use autoresponders to train employees’ on new technologies and procedures. Whenever new software or equipment is introduced into the workforce, an instructional autoresponder can offer a step-by-step guide that helps everyone get up to speed quickly. With greater sophistication and growing Internet (intranet) bandwidth, autoresponders may eventually be able to offer embedded audiovisual manuals on demand. At worst, podcasts and videos can still be accessed with conventional URL links embedded in each message.

Smart autoresponder use will improve your bottom line. Whatever of your business of choice, there are strategies that you need to apply right now. In addition to time savings, your ability to share information with prospects, customers, and employees will strengthen your relationships. Entrepreneurs get a more responsive and appreciative list; corporate managers and trainers get a thriftier and more productive workforce.

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Rahul Majumdar is an Information Marketer specializing in article marketing, list-building, and digital product creation. Sign up for more of his insights here.