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How Long Should An Autoresponder Series Be?

by Jeremey
9 replies
Is there a general rule of thumb for the duration of a successful autoresponder series?

I'm talking about a series that will come from a squeeze page to buy a specific product...For example, someone goes to a squeeze page for a dog training course, signs up and gets a free report on dog training, and then is on the hook for a series of emails that will then offer dog training tips and try to get the prospect to buy the training course.

I'm sure it depends on niche. But is there a general rule of thumb where interest drops off and people start opting out? I can't imagine getting hit with 30 emails to buy the same dog training video (or dating product or weight loss tips, etc)...But there must be some general guidelines?

I feel like everyone knows this but me, LOL...I did do a post search and came up with nothing.

Jeremey
#autoresponder #long #series
  • Profile picture of the author Andrew Gould
    Ray gives an overview of how he does it here:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ml#post6624362

    (And don't hesitate to pick up his AR product.)
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    Andrew Gould

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    • Profile picture of the author Jeremey
      Originally Posted by Andrew Gould View Post

      Ray gives an overview of how he does it here:

      http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...ml#post6624362

      (And don't hesitate to pick up his AR product.)
      Great info Andrew, and Ray...Thanks so much, have bookmarked!

      I had someone ask about an autoresponder series recently, they wanted 30 emails. I thought, "Holy cow, that's a lot of emails...Do they know something I don't?" (We ended up doing 10)
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      Is Your Copy Jumpin', Jack?
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      • Profile picture of the author Raydal
        Originally Posted by Jeremey View Post

        I had someone ask about an autoresponder series recently, they wanted 30 emails. I thought, "Holy cow, that's a lot of emails...Do they know something I don't?" (We ended up doing 10)
        Many people have a loose and broad definition of an
        autoresponder series that I don't subscribe to (pardon
        the pun).

        An AR series should be connected--hence a SERIES. Some
        people just load a bunch of emails that may promote different
        product, many times unrelated, hoping to get a sale. What
        some people call an "autoresponder series" is really a
        newsletter.

        So you DO NOT develop a relationship in an AR series. That's
        what your (broadcast) newsletter is for. The AR series is to
        get you the (initial) sale.

        -Ray Edwards
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        The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
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  • Profile picture of the author wvcopywriter
    7 emails for that autoresponder series is good. Not to many and not to few.
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    Don't have the time to write emails that will get opened, read and your reader to take action then leave me a message. I will get back to you within 48 hrs.

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  • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
    Yup, assuming the copy and the product is excellent. If you haven't persuaded them to buy on the 10th attempt, either they were never really "prospects" in the first place.

    Or they've been treacherous traitors grabbed all the free stuff and spent any money they may have had somewhere else.


    Steve
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    http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...right-now.html
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Silver
    My approach to email marketing is as follows...

    I personally send out two live broadcast emails twice per day, everyday.

    The first email is what I like to call the personality and relationship builder email.

    This email is all about making the prospect see me, the marketer, as a real genuine person.

    I will use personal stories, cool ancedotes, and sometimes send out a funny cat video to the list just to engage them on a personal level that has nothing to do with business.

    The second email will be directly related to the market at hand, and inside of this email I will either send them free quality content related to our market, an affiliate product review, a pitch email for one of my own products, or I will use this email to inform them of a new product that is coming soon.

    I started out like this because I was too lazy to sit down and type out a full 7, 15, or 30 day email follow up series, and it only takes me about 30 minutes per day to write my broadcasts.

    I get a lot of unsubs due to the frequency of mailing, and my lists are relatively small, but those who DO stay on are very responsive to any offer I make, and my open rates consistently hover between 30-65% on a regular basis.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jerry Belcourt
      Great question Jeremey! And, some good responses guys!

      I've struggled with this question too. I agree that
      there are a lot of variables to consider.

      I have different strategies at work right now and it's too
      early to tell how each plays out.

      One scenario is this...

      We've all heard the stats on how many times a prospect has
      to be exposed to your offer. Those numbers seem to fluctuate
      and change. It started out at 7-12 exposures before you'll get
      a sale. Recently, I heard a marketer saying up 20+ exposures
      due to all of the advertising "pressure" that exists right now
      through all of the different mediums/channels.

      My thinking is that the initial AR series should be, depending on
      the market/product, etc. around 7-9 where you have to balance
      your messages between building up the know, like, trust factor
      and the pitches for your product or service.

      "How to make money online" teachers/marketers have done such
      a good job of drilling into their student's heads to build a list, build
      a list, build a list that every website online is trying to get you to
      sign up to an email list.

      I think people are getting a lot more selective about what they
      sign up for and who they share their email addresses with.

      So, when they do, there has to be some relationship building
      that takes place in the initial 1-4 emails in the series where you
      have to tell your back story, how you figured out how to solve
      the problem they have, and why you're qualified to help them.

      Of course, this is all depending on what market you're in....

      After the initial 7-12 AR series, we don't just delete someone
      off of our list if they haven't bought anything or taken the desired
      action.

      So, in essence, your AR series is perpetual since you will most
      likely be sending out broadcast messages to your list.

      It all comes down to good copy writing.

      Paul Silver, that is a very interesting tactic. And, although you are
      getting a high number of unsubs, I would say you are doing it right
      since you're getting unheard of open rates! Nice work!
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  • Profile picture of the author ThomasOMalley
    Much more important than open rates is how much money are you making from sales.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jay White
    I've always found that 7-10 messages can hit most of the strongest points over a series. Written many that go longer and shorter, but it seems the best results come around these numbers.

    The key is to make sure you target ONE specific want/need/desire/problem in each email, and position the product as the solution to that email. Don't try to be all things to all people in each message. Make it strong and noteworthy by focusing on one specific element. The thinking is that your reader may not be moved by email 2 or 3 or 4...but email 5 hits them square in the chops. Now this product is something that can take care of THEIR particular issues--which means your chances of getting a click through increase.
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