need help on finding an auto responder.

[satrap]

Hi guys, i am very new to lists and related matters. but after reading many posts on WF on how important and vital it is to have a list, even if you don't need it now, i decided to put an opt-in box on my blog, so i can offer monthly reports and etc. i have some other ideas as well. not being very code savvy i found a wp plug-in that makes it easy to put up the box, but i need and auto responder as well. so that's my question, what are my options and are there free ones as well, since i don't really need much futures at least as of right now?
thank you so mcuh.
satrap

[matrix1989]

hey satrap,

Mailchimp offers the best free autoresponder (from what i here) you can have up to 500 subscribers with up to 3k emails sent per month for free.

[satrap]

thanks matrix, i will check it out right away.

[Russell Hall]

Originally Posted by matrix1989

hey satrap,

Mailchimp offers the best free autoresponder (from what i here) you can have up to 500 subscribers with up to 3k emails sent per month for free.

Yeah Satrap,.. got to totally agree here,.. Mailchimp all the way.
I'd been looking for a decent autoresponder and tried icontact, email aces, and getresponse free trial but it impossible to assess the true features and value because they restrict the free user interface so much (talk about DUMB).
Mailchimp only recently started with the free account which allows 500 list members and 3,000 emails per month with absoluletly zero restrictions. Their user panel is great and they have video guides etc.
I like the way you can build forms and its all totally customizable.
This is a great way to start and once you hit more than 500 people on your list and 3k blasts per month you'll have enough income to cover the $29.95 upgrade.
Cheers,. Russ

[SeanIM]

infinite responder is free and works fairly well for a no cost startup setup...

problem is porting them into hosted solutions later...there are a 'few' that will allow it if your lists are clean and setup well...

[nostih]

Sure having a list is important but not all products/services/topics are worth building a list around. I think list building can be overrated.

Also, you hear folks talk about building a list but do they talk about how to build a RESPONSIVE list?

Why would people OPt-IN to your list? You're just one of thousands that are competing to peoples time and attention. Many of those "newletters" just offer the same ole same ole rehashed, spun content.


I don't subscribe to any list other than the list for Micro Niche Finder. The only reason I am on that list is for the software updates.

When James Jones( MNF creator) sends an email 90% of the time he's trying to sell some crap. I don't even read the offers I just hit delete.

Think about how many other people do the same thing.

I know "permission marketing" is what's in but I think it's but totally blown out of context.

Frankly, I think people are tired of Opting IN to those No Value Added lists.

The list builders remind me of the 80's and 90's telemarketing era....you know without a doubt they are trying to sell you something.


Ron

Originally Posted by satrap

Hi guys, i am very new to lists and related matters. but after reading many posts on WF on how important and vital it is to have a list, even if you don't need it now, i decided to put an opt-in box on my blog, so i can offer monthly reports and etc. i have some other ideas as well. not being very code savvy i found a wp plug-in that makes it easy to put up the box, but i need and auto responder as well. so that's my question, what are my options and are there free ones as well, since i don't really need much futures at least as of right now?
thank you so mcuh.
satrap

[NightWriter]

I'm running a simple script on one of my websites. I'm not unhappy with it, but I'm one of those people who has to dial every station on the radio before I settle on a song.

So, I'm getting ready to experiment with another one on my other site. But, maybe I should look into mailchimp.com - why no one mentioned this before???

Question about mailchimp... when your people opt-in do they get sent to a page with advertisements on it?

Thanks!

[markshields]

The autoresponder I use is get response which I have always enjoyed and with the new features that have been added it has become even better

[mbacak]

These are all good also:

Aweber.com
GetResponse.com
icontact.com
ARP3.com

[tommen]

I would go with a REAL autoresponder from the beginning.$20 per month is a small investment and if you choose a free autoresponder and your list grows, it is really difficult to move it to another service without them having to optin again.

I recommend choosing Aweber, paying $19 per month.You can be 100% sure everything works and there will be no sponsored ads in your emails either.

[marioxiao]

Aweber and Getresponse is the best and popular autoresponder. If you want more cheaper, try norabots.com

[SeanIM]

Originally Posted by mbacak

These are all good also:

Aweber.com
GetResponse.com
icontact.com
ARP3.com

I've heard from a very trusted source and friend that icontact has some deliverability rates as good as if not better than aweber, etc...and a little more flexible in some of their features.

ARP3 while a rocking script, you run into the old self-hosted email delivery issues, like setting SPF records, domainkeys, feedback loops, reverse DNS, etc etc.

S

[Chris Drinkwater]

What is the one that looks like Awber? I have been trying to find it today!

[Russell Hall]

Originally Posted by NightWriter

I'm running a simple script on one of my websites. I'm not unhappy with it, but I'm one of those people who has to dial every station on the radio before I settle on a song.

So, I'm getting ready to experiment with another one on my other site. But, maybe I should look into mailchimp.com - why no one mentioned this before???

Question about mailchimp... when your people opt-in do they get sent to a page with advertisements on it?

Thanks!

Answer: NOPE... not at all,.. there's no such distinctions placed on the free accounts. Furthermore,... you can actually tailor the html header graphics to each response from the various lists you create so it looks really laser focused and professional,... MailChimp is a definite winner... it now even has an excellent Wordpress plugin that you can use too if you want to... No other company is doing that yet!

[jacktackett]

satrap - mbacak has covered probably the main AR systems here and most will provide the basics for you. Its the other features they offer that set them apart and will guide your decision. I suggest you use the search function provided by the forum to look up what others have said in the past - given this question gets asked fairly often - several times a month in fact.

My recommendations are iContact for a service and Autoresponse Plus for self hosted.

Good luck,
--Jack

[JR Rich]

Originally Posted by Ron.

Sure having a list is important but not all products/services/topics are worth building a list around. I think list building can be overrated.

Also, you hear folks talk about building a list but do they talk about how to build a RESPONSIVE list?

Why would people OPt-IN to your list? You're just one of thousands that are competing to peoples time and attention. Many of those "newletters" just offer the same ole same ole rehashed, spun content.


I don't subscribe to any list other than the list for Micro Niche Finder. The only reason I am on that list is for the software updates.

When James Jones( MNF creator) sends an email 90% of the time he's trying to sell some crap. I don't even read the offers I just hit delete.

Think about how many other people do the same thing.

I know "permission marketing" is what's in but I think it's but totally blown out of context.

Frankly, I think people are tired of Opting IN to those No Value Added lists.

The list builders remind me of the 80's and 90's telemarketing era....you know without a doubt they are trying to sell you something.


Ron

Ron,
I agree with what you're saying here. Many, MANY lists are nothing more than glorified sales channels. I tend to unsubscribe from these also.

But, that fact just reinforces the concept that a properly maintained and cultivated list can truly stand out from the crowd.

A well-run list is a gigantic asset to any online business. But, like any asset, you must treat it with respect. A $500,000 house can be pretty cool but if you let it fall into disrepair, its value will drop to the point that you'll end up with a broken-down shack eventually.

Do not over-sell to your list. Make sure that what you DO sell is targeted and tested by YOU and is of great value to your subscribers. Provide your subscribers with real, valuable content. Give away lots of free stuff!

When you DO send them sales messages, make sure that those messages are wrapped in some sort of story so that it doesn't come across as 'salesy'.

In other words, stand out from the crowd.

Regards,
--JR Rich

[Sumit Menon]

If George Wright was here he would be warning you of MailChimp and their hatred towards Home Business Products.

I think someone had once suggested MadMimi. It's cheaper than GetResponse and the first 100 leads is Free with full features. Something you should consider given that fact that Squidoo and Mashable use it..

Sumit.

[mbacak]

Originally Posted by SeanIM

I've heard from a very trusted source and friend that icontact has some deliverability rates as good as if not better than aweber, etc...and a little more flexible in some of their features.

ARP3 while a rocking script, you run into the old self-hosted email delivery issues, like setting SPF records, domainkeys, feedback loops, reverse DNS, etc etc.

S

Your Trusted sources are 100% correct! :-)

[mbacak]

Originally Posted by jacktackett

satrap - mbacak has covered probably the main AR systems here and most will provide the basics for you. Its the other features they offer that set them apart and will guide your decision. I suggest you use the search function provided by the forum to look up what others have said in the past - given this question gets asked fairly often - several times a month in fact.

My recommendations are iContact for a service and Autoresponse Plus for self hosted.

Good luck,
--Jack

Great Advise. Something to add. If you decided to use
ARP3. Be very careful of where you are hosting it at.

Make sure you get a dedicated IP address,
and put it on a Unix or Linux server.

Here is some suggestions:

Thirdsphere
24.95 a month
only 10k emails a day
each additional 10,000 is $100

Godady
2 mo:$3.99/mo
then $10 for every 500 emails

Host gator
$4.95/mo
There is a 500 hourly email limit per domain
HostGator Mail Policy

But, all these hosting accounts
are shared accounts so you share a
ip with someone else. If they get
in trouble you get in trouble.

I'd encourage you to get a dedicated ip address.

Or other Autoresponder options:

Aweber email system
1 month(s) recurring - $19.95
Stores 10,000 Leads Free,
each additional 10,000 is $9.95
still need hosting

1shopping cart
$29 monthly
Stores 10,000 Leads Free,
each additional 10,000 is $100
still need hosting

GetResponse PRO BRONZE
US $17.95 a month (regular rate)
Although GetResponse allow you an unlimited of autoresponder
subscribers, the standard prices only allow you to broadcast to a
maximum of 10,000 subscribers, daily. For every additional 5,000
subscribers, it costs $4.50 per month, on top of the standard prices.
still need hosting '

FYI Notes:

Aweber - but can't import your list
Constantcontact.com - not sure if you can import your list
icontact.com - can get pricy but can import your list.

Out of all of these - I'd suggest the one
place I didn't put here - Icontact.com

[satrap]

thank you all for helping out, ill try to checkem all out, but as of now i think the mailchimp is going to do it for me, since as i said i am just starting and i don't really have any experience in it. just want to get my feet wet. thank you so much for taking time to help.

[willdean]

Hey! These are some great resources. I am glad you started this thread. I have been with Aweber so many years I didn't realize there was so much out there.

Thanks

[Richard Tunnah]

Originally Posted by Chris Drinkwater

What is the one that looks like Awber? I have been trying to find it today!

Chris,
Are you refering to one of the white label versions of aweber like (jeff walkers) profollow perhaps?

Rich

[MikeWest]

Originally Posted by Chris Drinkwater

What is the one that looks like Awber? I have been trying to find it today!

ProSender ? Its an aweber reseller.

[jaybaker]

You may also want to check out norabots as there are no sponsored ads either and it is cheaper with only having to pay $10 a month for unlimited subscribers. And as far as I can see it provides 100% emails delivered as far as I can tell.

[milkyway]

You could also check out Imnica Mail. It's a fairly new service which is not expensive. Richelo offers great support, and he is currently running a WSO for it here:

Isn't it time you upgrade your AutoResponder Service?

milkyway

[discrat]

Go with the Rolls Royce of Autoresponders and that would be Aweber. I thought going cheap when I first started out was the way to go. But in the long run you will lose out with issues like Deliverability. Its not worth it.

Aweber is the best and why settle for a Toyota when you can roll in a Rolls !!

[actionplanbiz]

GVO

$44 and not only you get a Autoresponder you get:

Webhosting "Guru's Use"
hot Conference
Easy video producer
Prospecting system

and an income opportunity (MLM)

[satrap]

hey guys, thank you all for the suggestion. i registered with Mail Chimp and i think it offers enough for right now. but as i said i am very new to this so i am having some trouble.
my blog is on WP, so i got a plug-in for creating an opt-in box to put on my blog. but when i try to setup opt in form settings it says "Copy and Paste your opt in form code:" i looked around on Mail chimp and i couldn't find such code!
how do i get that code? or am i missing something here? for some reason i feel like i am totally going the wrong way and i have it all wrong?
is there any step by step guide for setting up opt in forum and the whole auto responder deal, that i could use?
any help would be appreciated.
thank you so much in advance,
satrap