One of the most powerful weapons in the arsenal of a digital marketer is their email list. Regardless of what it is that you’re attempting to sell, most marketers build up an email list of their potential customers. There are many things you can do with this type of list, but few of them will bring in the regular, residual income like an auto responder series can.
Scheduling Your Series
Before you even start getting people signed up for your list, you’ll want to have your auto responder emails in place. While many people think you need to have dozens of emails in an auto responder series, the truth is, you can get started with just seven good emails. Each one should be scheduled to automatically be delivered on a set schedule.
Experimenting with the exact timing, as well as the content of your emails is essential, but the following is a general setup that has worked for many people:
- Immediately – As soon as someone confirms their email on your list, your auto responder should send them a welcome email. This message will thank them for signing up and let them know what they can expect in the future. If you promised them any ‘freebies’ you can include them here as well.
- 2-3 Days Later – Two or three days after the sign up, send them another email. This message should give them something of value that will make them realize that when they get an email from you, they should open it. One great idea for this is a message that includes a link to four or five of your best and most popular blog posts.
- 2-3 Days Later – Two or three days after the previous email, send another one out. Once again, you’ll want to send them something of great value, without attempting to sell them anything. At this stage you are working on building that trust, and showing them just what you have to offer. Something like an exclusive interview with an industry leader, or a how-to video on something essential to their success will fit in here quite well.
- 2-3 Days Later – Two or three days after the previous one, follow up with some recommendations of tools or services. These will be specifically chosen based on the niche of your site. If you’re promoting a ‘make money online’ site, for example, you could recommend things like Word Press designs, web hosting, graphic design or things like that. Some of the links can be affiliate links in this email.
- 2-3 Days Later – Two or three days after the previous email, send them a list of the ‘top 10 tips and tricks for xxx’. Basically, you’re giving them some additional great, free information. The top X lists are a proven way to get people to read posts and become engaged.
- 1 Week Later – At this point, you’re starting to spread your emails out a little further. A week to 10 days is a good idea. In this email, you can provide them with some additional information on your niche, as well as attempt to sell them a product or service. Don’t be too pushy, but don’t be afraid to ask for the sale either.
- 1-2 Weeks Later – Provide more information about your niche, as well as letting them know what types of emails they can expect in the future. This is the final email in your auto responder series, so tell them that you’ll only be contacting them occasionally with great information or special offers.
If you don’t already have an email auto responder, or even an email list, make sure you start working on one right away. For many affiliate marketers, this can be the difference between making some extra money online, and really becoming a full time performance marketer.
