An Autoresponder is a software tool used in email marketing to automatically send pre-written messages to subscribers or customers based on specific triggers or time schedules.
These automated emails can be set up to respond to various actions, such as welcoming new subscribers, following up on purchases, delivering lead magnets, or providing ongoing customer engagement.
This tool helps you talk to your audience regularly and personally without sending each email yourself.1
Visual Representation:
Purpose:
The main goal of an autoresponder is to make it easier to keep in touch with subscribers and customers by sending them the correct information at the right time.
This helps businesses stay connected with their audience, build better relationships, and increase engagement and sales.2
Key Components:
An autoresponder relies on several key components to function effectively:
- Triggers: These events cause an autoresponder to send an email. Common examples include:
- Signups: Someone joins your email list.
- Purchases: A customer buys something from your site.
- Website visits: Someone does something specific on your site, like leaving items in a cart.
- Time-based: Sending emails on a schedule, like a welcome message a day after joining.
- Email Templates: These are the emails you’ve written ahead of time for different situations. You can add details like a subscriber’s name to make them feel more personal.
- Subscriber List: This is where you keep info about your subscribers, like their email addresses and names, to make your messages feel more tailored to them.
- Marketing Automation Platform: This is the software that runs the autoresponder system. It lets you set up triggers, create email templates, manage your subscriber list, and see how your emails perform.
- Analytics and Reporting: These tools show you how well your autoresponder emails work, with details like how many people open them, click links, or unsubscribe. This information helps you improve your emails over time.3
Benefits:
Autoresponders bring many advantages, such as making communication more efficient by automatically handling regular messages and boosting customer involvement with timely messages that fit customers’ interests.
They also make it possible to expand marketing activities without needing more staff or extra resources.4
Usage:
Autoresponders play a significant role in digital marketing, such as getting new leads, following up on e-commerce purchases, talking to customers, and sharing content.
They’re flexible, meaning they can be used by different businesses regardless of industry or size.5
Example:
For instance, a small online shop creates an autoresponder sequence for people who have just signed up.
It begins with a welcome email that discounts their first buy.
After that, there’s a set of emails introducing the store’s background, highlighting top products, and giving helpful advice about what they sell.
Each email aims to attract more subscribers, ending with special deals that motivate them to purchase.6
Related Terms:
References:
1. Wikimedia Foundation. (2023, November 29). Autoresponder. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoresponder
2. Steven. (n.d.). What is the purpose of an email autoresponder?. Mailvio. https://blog.mailvio.com/autoresponder-purpose/
Keeton, J. B., Published by Jennifer Butler Keeton (2024, March 18). How to create an effective email autoresponder series. OptinMonster. https://optinmonster.com/6-steps-to-create-an-effective-email-autoresponder-series/
4. Mufadhol, M., Wibowo, A., & Santoso, J. T. (2020). Digital marketing techniques for business intelligence systems use automated chatbot machine learning. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(7), 6895-6906. https://archives.palarch.nl/index.php/jae/article/view/3091/3118
5. Michie, J. (2006). Street Smart Internet Marketing: Tips, Tools, Tactics & Techniques to Market Your Product, Service, Business Or Ideas Online. Canada: Performance Marketing. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Street_Smart_Internet_Marketing/qnxnHkq2FkAC
6. 10 best email autoresponder examples to improve customer experience. Brevo. (2023, July 20). https://www.brevo.com/blog/best-email-autoresponder-examples/