About Autoresponders : Laura is right, I was wrong -- Update Dec. 15
Update :
Mark Hodgetts saw my article and the comments, he commented about it on his blog, take a look
http://www.markhodgetts.com/why-autoresponders-remain-vital
Recently, I had a strong discussion with Laura Newton about autoresponders.
Laura firmly believes using autoresponders is not good for business. Her main argument is that it's too impersonal. She said she prefers to build her business one on one. She's been successful with her Multi-Pure business for a number of years, thanks to her approach.
I kept telling her an autoresponder can be used the right way, that the people who subscribe to your list do so because they like the kind of information you provide, they want to know more, yadda yadda yadda.
Well, I was arguing with her about a tool I'm not even using.
I read in so many articles, eBooks, blogs, that : "You have to build your list !"
Every successful marketer said an autoresponder is an essential tool for success.
For months, I've wanted to learn to set up an auroresponder. I looked at Aweber, GetResponse, Traffic Wave.
I always had a good reason to put it off.
In the past 2 months, I've been active here, that the only reason I take a look at my gmail account is to see if I've received new emails from activity at IMfaceplate, Kooiii, FaceBook, or here.
I received dozens of emails from Internet marketers every day. I don't even look at them anymore.
They work hard at trying to get my attention. All the techniques are used in the headlines to make an email attractive.
It doesn't work for me anymore.
I prefer to see if I've received a notification or private message here.
Laura, thumbs up to you ! I was so blinded by the so-called "best approach" to marketing online, that I had refused to see the evidence : my own behavior.
In the pas 2 days, I've discussed with 2 good friends who tried to convince me I'm making a big mistake by not adding an AR as a tool in my IM toolbox.
Are they right ? They might be.
For now, I'll try the ideas I have in mind to get some form of success in my marketing efforts.
If I'm wrong, it will still be time to change strategies. Testing and tweaking. Testing and tweaking. I wrote a blog here with that title.
It's time to put my money where my blog is. :)
Mark Hodgetts saw my article and the comments, he commented about it on his blog, take a look
http://www.markhodgetts.com/why-autoresponders-remain-vital
Recently, I had a strong discussion with Laura Newton about autoresponders.
Laura firmly believes using autoresponders is not good for business. Her main argument is that it's too impersonal. She said she prefers to build her business one on one. She's been successful with her Multi-Pure business for a number of years, thanks to her approach.
I kept telling her an autoresponder can be used the right way, that the people who subscribe to your list do so because they like the kind of information you provide, they want to know more, yadda yadda yadda.
Well, I was arguing with her about a tool I'm not even using.
I read in so many articles, eBooks, blogs, that : "You have to build your list !"
Every successful marketer said an autoresponder is an essential tool for success.
For months, I've wanted to learn to set up an auroresponder. I looked at Aweber, GetResponse, Traffic Wave.
I always had a good reason to put it off.
In the past 2 months, I've been active here, that the only reason I take a look at my gmail account is to see if I've received new emails from activity at IMfaceplate, Kooiii, FaceBook, or here.
I received dozens of emails from Internet marketers every day. I don't even look at them anymore.
They work hard at trying to get my attention. All the techniques are used in the headlines to make an email attractive.
It doesn't work for me anymore.
I prefer to see if I've received a notification or private message here.
Laura, thumbs up to you ! I was so blinded by the so-called "best approach" to marketing online, that I had refused to see the evidence : my own behavior.
In the pas 2 days, I've discussed with 2 good friends who tried to convince me I'm making a big mistake by not adding an AR as a tool in my IM toolbox.
Are they right ? They might be.
For now, I'll try the ideas I have in mind to get some form of success in my marketing efforts.
If I'm wrong, it will still be time to change strategies. Testing and tweaking. Testing and tweaking. I wrote a blog here with that title.
It's time to put my money where my blog is. :)
14 people like it
Advertise on APSense
This advertising space is available.
Post Your Ad Here
Post Your Ad Here
Comments (43)
Philippe Moisan16
Tutorial videos, sci-fi writer
My point about Wal-Mart was that, tell anybody on the street that Wal-Mart uses ARs and they will look at you as if you came from another planet.
I don't receive emails from Wal-Mart, and I don't intend to.
I never go to Wal-Mart. I used their name because they're known worldwide.
I don't shop there because of ugly stories I've read.
IMHO, Wal-Mart practices savage capitalism. They've been thrown out of Germany a few years ago because of that.
I was very happy when I learned of th
Rod D.10
Saying a AR is not a great tool is like saying, I don't need a website with my very own domain because the company gives me a splitting image clone site just like there's. So when I advertise and spend my time, efforts, monies advertising I support the company so they reap all the benefits and I will settle for the crumbs of sign ups and not worry about prospects by passing me and join direct with the company by backspacing my affiliate link.
Michael Phillips5
I agree with everyone who said this is not a great tool
Helen Smith9
Consultant
Philippe....Wal-mart does use a AR, and every other big company that has thousands of people to get in contact with on short notice. I am not trying to change your mind, but offering a alternative to totally leaving yourself unprepared, by not learning to use one.
We are all individuals with, ideas, and opinions which to me is the beauty of humanity, but when it comes to business we must explore the avenues which will help us be productive, and progressive in todays market.
I have a frien
Philippe Moisan16
Tutorial videos, sci-fi writer
Lord, I will bookmark my own blog.
I'm so glad I wrote it.
I'll be frank with you all, I had 2 objectives.
1st ) Win back the friendship of Laura. I say it shamelessly. I have such a high respect for her. She's awesome ! She wants to help her downline in Multi-Pure so much, she promotes their RevPages and blogs. Her Multi-Pure site has been on Google's 1st page for a long time. Is it months, years ? I'm not sure. I will let her tell it herself here, or on a blog. How did she do it ? Sim
Rod D.10
I have several opinions on this topic.
AR's can be a valuable tools providing if not abused.
Time saving. Could you imagine of having couple hundred members and you need to send out a team update on your business and manually sending one email at a time, of course most people do not realize they can use there email as an AR by copying and pasting the emails as BCC ( Blind Carbon Copy ) and send to your list and send about 50 at a time and wait about 15 to 20 minutes and send another grou
Al Hamilton6
Online Marketing
Can't say I totally agree here Philippe. I think AR's can be VERY valuable, both in maintaining communication AND for advertising. I want to track the production I am getting from different sources. My AR has unlimited tracking, so it's simpler there. I don't SPAM-- if they OPT-in, they get the follow up info. I've not had a problem w/ my email filling up...Though I might try out a safelist as a free member, which WILL send you emails to click for credits. These can be easily filtered straight t
Helen Smith9
Consultant
Tomatoe Tomatoe, who is right who is wrong...I find any marketer with a modicum of success will have a bit of arogance concerning the methods we use to get where we are. There fore I personally feel there's merit in both sides of this question.
When first building business there is going to be a lot more one on one. Once your list reaches an unmanagable number you will have to have a good AR.
So Philippe I would suggest you start learning how to use one now, so when your list is in the
Stacey Whitney6
Internet Marketer
I agree that being upfront and personal is the way to go but not all of us are good at that, so what does the marketer do that has yet to learn these skills? They have to market their product somehow.
I use an autoresponder along with other methods of advertising. I think that an autoresponder can be a good tool if used properly. Send out good content and you get results, otherwise, will I'm sure most of us know what that means.
Ginny Williams8
Affiliate and Network Marketing
I too am like Laura and build my business one on one, I have used them in the past, but don't care much for the either!
Laura Newton9
The Water Filter Lady
Thanks Philippe. I'm not saying that they "dont" work. I'm just saying they dont work for me. We all need to use the tools that work for us, and we all have different businesses, with different approaches for marketing. What may work for one type of business, may not work for another. Yes, you and I have butted heads over our marketing approaches, but that is not to say your doing it wrong or visa versa. I highly respect you Phil, and hope we can help and learn from one another. Isnt that what n
Katrina O.10
Indiana Water Filters
Not sure if I agree with you, Oldbuddy. I think the way to begin building a relationship is through personal contact. Phone call, skype conversation, personal email, etc. Once the relationship is in place, then invite to an autoresponder with good content.
Warren Contreras14
Old Retired Guy
I have been on both sides of this question for years, back and forth, but the truth is they do work to ESTABLISH the kind of one on one that builds your relationship with people from your list. You have to start somewhere and if you provide real value with your emails, it can be done with an autoresponder to start with.
Ed Blount11
Business Owner and Mentor
Yes autoresponders can be impersonal. However I would not say thay you should never use them. Everbody is different, but I have to say I use them as Dewi says more for information purposes :)
Rammesh Perumal7
Web Business & Development Consultant
Hi Philippe!
I am agree with Dawie too, I do still read emails from some of the marketers who are provide good contents. If our emails contain value information, AR will be very effective marketing tool. Its all depends how we use it. I never use AR to promote affiliates products.
Scott Popma6
E-commerce & Marketing Advisor
What I've been doing is an equal effort with both methods. Advertise get the people to go to your auto responder then use the one on one to help teach those who are willing to learn. The personal touch of a teacher so important.
Dawie Bezuidenhout11
Systems Engineer I.T.
Philippe, glad to see this post.
We discussed this as well, remember.
I use autoresponders too communicate to my downlines in different programs, not too advertise, to share news of an upgrade coming or something related to the site that they signed up for.
My problem with these services, is not the service, it is the person that use that service. Unethical marketers have been using auto-responders to SPAM the people on their list, and most do it.
If i sign up for a specific product or
Sean North12
Business
dont know where my last post went, I totally agree with Rudiger, business and product dependant, but a useful tool nether the less
Ruediger Schaefer Sc...6
mr
I think it's not a question of wrong or right but of how you set up your ARs and how valuable the email letters are. More important is what kind of business you're in. Imo personal approaching or social networking with your customers and / or affiliates is nothing else than the modern name of the old fashoined way of list building.
Certain business tasks can and should be automated by using ARs. This way you gain more time to get in personal touch with your customers / affiliates.
My perso
Norazleen Jahri3
agree with you :)