Saturday, January 29, 2011

Lead Generation Web Sites and Autoresponder Follow-up

By Miguel Pancardo


So you know the importance of lead generation and you realize you need those leads to stay afloat online. But what about AFTER the lead is generated? What do you do with it? What is the next step? Let's look at those questions right now.

Following up with a new lead is about as important as fertilizer is to a farmer's crops. It helps the growth process. That person on the other end of the computer needs to know that you are real and trustworthy. So you don't want to be aloof and remain totally anonymous. In other words, you need to follow up with that contact immediately.

Using an autoresponder is the most effective way to follow up with leads. An autoresponder is a piece of software that helps the user keep up with new leads, manage older contacts and follow up with both on a regular basis. This process is particularly important at the beginning of the relationship. And yes, relationship is the right word. You are developing faith and trust in each other.

As soon as someone signs up for your mailing list, an autoresponder immediately sends an email welcoming the new lead or thanking them for joining. The autoresponder can be set to send as many messages as you need at the intervals you determine are appropriate. While the initial message should be sent right away, later messages can be sent at the intervals you set in the autoresponder. These intervals can be daily, weekly or any other time period you select.

Subsequent messages will walk them through your system, offering other items along the way. Since you probably gave them something for free at the outset, you have already set a precedent that you do what you say you will do. As you bring the prospect along, you can sell them other low end products and build their trust as you do. At the end of this process, you will then offer your main money maker and hopefully they will buy it.

An autoresponder can do several other things in addition to helping in this way. If you receive a lot of inquiries and signups, an autoresponder will organize your prospect list and tell you precisely how far every person has progressed through the process. An autoresponder will also let you send individual messages called "announcements" whenever you think it's appropriate. For example, you might get a great deal on an especially good product. You can offer it to your prospects by sending an announcement.

Spam reports are a risk with email marketing. However, autoresponder software protects you from the danger of these reports by including an "unsubscribe" link in every message. If an email recipient has the ability to opt out at any time but doesn't, then your emails are not spam and you are safe from spam reports. In a way, it's similar to insurance.

Basically, you have to follow up with your leads and stay in contact with them at all times and auto responder software does that automatically and easily. Believe me, customers expect you to follow up with them periodically, and if you don't, you are seen as a liability and they will leave your list without even a goodbye.

Use auto responders for follow up and you will always have a satisfied list of buyers on a constant basis.




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