Seqential Autoresponders Made Simple
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What is a sequential autoresponder?

A sequential autoresponder (also known as a follow up autoresponder) basically subscribes an email address to a series of timed, automatic follow up email messages.

Note: A sequential autoresponder should not be confused with a "regular" autoresponder available on many webhosts. Such autoresponders typically only send one message - instead of a sequential email series. A typical use of the single reply message is to acknowledgement that an email was received.

Of course, a typical sequential autoresponder also has a number of other important features. One important feature is to only have confirmed opt in email addresses, subscribed.

What is opt in mail? Opt-in mail basically does not subscribe the email address without one's permission. It is the opposite of "opt-out" where one can be added and then must "opt-out" to be removed. The email owner must himself/herself first add the email address for the email to be subscribed. Confirmed opt-in prevents certain abuses like someone else submitting your email address. After an email address is submitted, the autoresponder sends a reply to the address. One must then "confirm" that one has in fact opted in before the email address is subscribed. This prevents that abuse.

Why are they used? Who needs them and why?

Sequential autoresponders are primarily used as a MARKETING tool usually in conjunction with some other online business presence (like a website). However, it does not require a website to be used.

Okay, so why do I need a follow up (e.g. sequential) autoresponder?

A few reasons.

A visitor to your website may have been distracted before getting round to a purchase. Can you still reach them? What if they want to now buy your product but forgot your web address?

You are sending out emails but they are being trapped in peoples' email filters. How many sales have you lost?
Note: Hosted dedicated email autoresponders typically have higher email deliverability. (But no one is 100% here, all the time.)

Did you know that personalized email is much more likely to be opened? Is there a quick and easy way to personalize things? Sequential autoresponders have this feature.

Did you know most people do not buy the first time they are exposed to a product. It may take 7 different "product exposures" before a lead (prospective buyer) buys and becomes a customer. Do you have a system for interested leads to keep in touch with you over time if they want to?

If you have no well known brand name, how are you going to inspire trust? Perhaps a free, 7 - part tutorial on a general topic related to your product/service on the autoresponder will help build a relationship?

Bonus Features:

Automatic email parsing:
Typically used with a payment gateway. For example, someone buys your product using paypal checkout and the paypal generated message is "parsed" (a technical term meaning analyzed) and the relevant sale transaction details are extracted and the appropriate information entered into an autoresponder. Adds a level of automation to the marketing and crm (customer relationship management) process.

Automatic customer location segmentation

Allows one to optionally "slice and dice" email series to send out based on parameters like location.
Some systems even allow location to be extrapolated off an "IP" address, without needing an actual address to be input.

Automatic List Management

Allows automation of different email subscriber "lists". For example, based on a certain action, like a buy, the individual to moved automatically from the "leads" list to another categorization like "customer".

Blog Integration

Instead of both updating a blog and the email list, allows a blog update to "propagate" to the email list.

Broadcast Mode

Ability to send target email to your list. Typically used by email newsletters for their subscribers.

Statistics:

Some autoresponders allow marketing statistics like clickthoughs and email newsletter opens to be collected, for better target marketing of what the customer wants.

Popular Sequential Autoresponder Companies:

A weber (Hosted)

Constant Contact

Send Studio (Standalone, PHP)