Build Relationships and Save Time with Automated Email

Email has forever changed the way we do business and it really opens the door to thousands of work-at-home opportunities for entrepreneurs. However in recent years, with the increased focus on social networking-such as blogs, Twitter and Facebook-is email really that important anymore?

Yes. Email remains one of the most powerful (and inexpensive) marketing tools at your disposal. It's a critical component in building relationships with your target audience. The problem is that email can be a huge drain on your time, and busy mom entrepreneurs don't have a lot of time to spare.

That's why understanding and utilizing autoresponders is really important if you want to maximize the time and energy you spend on email. An autoresponder is basically a computer program that automatically answers e-mail sent to it. This process saves you countless hours because the email autoresponder message is always working for you. I decided to invest my time and energy into understanding the ins-and-outs of autoresponders. I also interviewed Jennifer Haubein of Best Biz Website Solutions at my Online Success Telesummit to get even more ideas since she's an expert at automation. I want to share with you the three main benefits we have personally discovered when it comes to using autoresponders.

Autoresponders...

- Help you utilize pull (instead of push) marketing

When you give your website visitors something of value such as a free irresistible offer, like a report or e-course, you're using pull marketing. You're pulling them in rather than pushing them with techniques such as cold calling. Once they sign-up for your offer and provide you with their email address, your goal is to not just give them your report but to begin to establish a relationship, provide value and continually market to them, which is what autoresponders allow you to do.

- Enhance your customer service

It's hard to respond to each and every customer in a timely way. This is especially true on the internet because your website is working 24/7 when you can't or don't want to. Utilizing autoresponders allows you to communicate with your customers effortlessly, and on their schedule.
For example, an autoresponder should go out after any purchase is made through your website. Something like, "Thank you for the purchase, here is something else you may be interested in..." This simple autoresponder allows your customer service to really shine through and helps you avoid phone costs while decreasing your return rate.

- Allow for effortless and consistent follow-up

Studies repeatedly show that it takes 7-9 contacts on average before a person is willing to buy your product or service. That's a considerable amount of follow-up and an autoresponder can do all of this for you. Your job is to spend the time upfront to refine and fine-tune your marketing message, and the various emails you want to send. Then, set it up, automate it, and you can forget it - at least for awhile.

Autoresponders can help you build relationships through targeted marketing and first-class customer service. Once you set it up, it runs on autopilot so you can focus on other aspects of growing your business (or spend more time on yourself and your family).

About The Author-- Kim DeYoung (aka "The Metromom") is committed to helping moms—with entrepreneurial spirit—to be successful in all aspects of life. She provides dynamic coaching and trainings at Metromom.com, an interactive community for moms in home-based businesses. Order your own FREE CD - "5 Surprising Secrets Every Mom Entrepreneur Must Know" and learn more at www.metromom.com. To see if you’re in fact a Metromom, check out her 3-minute video at http://TheMetroMomMovie.com.

Article Source: Articles island - Free article submission and free reprint articles