Starting up autoresponder business, what do I need?

Do you mean that you want to start providing autoresponder service to other users? I've got to warn you that you're embarking on a long and painful journey, especially if you have no previous experience or knowledge in that area. The amount of time and effort it takes to get all set up with the big mail houses (gmail, yahoo, etc) is huge, and even then you need someone constantly working to keep everything happy and in their good graces.

I would say you need, at a minimum:

* A good understanding of the various anti-spam and privacy laws.

* IT Knowledge: servers, networks and especially email protocols.

* Specific knowledge of email deliverability issues and techniques such as Sender Policy Framework and DomainKeys Identified Mail for example.

* A decent, scalable autoresponder software stack.

* Lots of patience.

Plus all the usual stuff - lawyers, accountants etc.

Either that, or have a good chunk of cash to pay someone to do it for you.

Another (and probably much easier) alternative would be to private-label an existing service.

Cheers,
Phil

thanks for the advice, got to start up the engine fill up with knowledge here,

any other advices?

you guys heard of smtp.com ?

what do you think of it?

If your going into this line of business its probably because you've found a good angle to work it.

Don't make things hard on your self by starting the service from scratch, just become a reseller for Aweber.

Aweber is the biggest and most trusted auto responder, and as such the easiest to sell. They will give you commission for every sign up you get, and that's going to mean you don't have to deal with them other than commission checks.

The other main one's I believe are Getresponse and Trafficwave.

I think being a reseller is going to be way easier so I'd advise you to look into it

Colin

Requirements:


PLUS.....

A lot of patience.

A bottomless pit of cash to invest (ours was circa $12,000)

At least 9 months of testing.

A large dedicated server.

Ongoing technical knowledge.

--

And plenty of hair available to pull out at times when things get ridiculous.

Two years ago we started WizardResponder and we're still adding upgrades and improvements, and still getting several tickets a day from people who have no idea how to use an autoresponder. Add to that the constant battle to keep delivery rates high with the ever changing isp's, and some hosting suppliers who have no idea how they are losing emails but continue to pass the buck and stick their heads in the sand....

And it makes for a full time occupation for little reward.


Personally - although we've now got things running well - if I had my time over... there are easier ways to make a living online that run an autoresponder!


Naturally - the other option would be to upload some software and not bother with all the behind the scenes stuff... I have seen plenty do that and do OK with it provided they have some backing from big list owners.


Hope that helps
Randy

I hope you think twice about doing that...Bro

You are going into some deep, deep waters my friend

thanks for the advice guys,

i think will look into those reseller stuff,

it is better to get from the best so that to offer the quality service.

well, i am just starting as a small not more than 50 users in it, going big with it would be a problem for me, and i intend to do it locally in my country and would not be ready to offer it internationally.

Some of you really gives me some good advices both are positives and negatives side of running an autoresponder business.

well it does made me think twice, but i think i am going for it, well it's better to try than not to try at all.

at least i can gain something from it and that is knowledge and experience. Which is rather hard to get for free!

Feel free to comment and give some more opinions and advices, You are most welcome here!