Warrior Poll: Autoresponder Series vs. eMail Campaigns

by tecHead

Posted: 14 years ago 7 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

WARRIORS; come out and play-ee-ayy (movie reference) :p

I need your help, guys/ladies.

I'm weighing the pros/cons of both AutoResponder Series and eMail Campaigns....

AutoResponder Series: a set of pre-defined eMails programmed into the list provider's system that are scheduled to go out at pre-determined intervals based on when someone signs up to your list.

Pros:
- only need to be created once and can be used over and over
- set it and forget it
- if thought out; can easily lead the prospect down a psychological road to buying your products

Cons:
- initial set up time consuming
- writing out a series that isn't redundant is hard
- keeping listees engaged is hard
- is pretty mechanical and harder to foster "the relationship"
- easily recognized as autoresponder if your listees talk to each other
- info can become obsolete quickly

eMail Campaigns: individually created eMails that are sent to your entire list at once at the same time; schedule determined by you when you feel like it.

Pros:
- can create eMails on the fly
- easy to capitalize on last minute info
- easy to foster "the relationship"
- segmenting list based on open/click tracking is easier
- can be scheduled

Cons:
- coming up with fresh content is a pain
- staying away from "over offer syndrome" is hard
- determining intervals between sends is hard
- NOT making content mistakes is nerve wrecking
- even if scheduled info is static

I'm sure all you list professionals will tout doing both, but the reasoning behind my dilemma is trying to determine which is the more "automate-able" solution; as I don't want to make maintaining an eMail list a full-time job.

Help me out.. let me hear your thoughts, expertise, ideas

Thank you, Warriors

Appreciatively,
tecHead

#autoresponder #campaigns #email #poll #series #warrior

Shaun OReilly 14 years ago

Your survey should include an option of both IMO.

An autoresponder series is the easiest to automate as
you write them once, and then simply plug them in and
let the autoresponder do the work.

An e-mail campaign (i.e. a broadcast) can also be
automated by scheduling broadcasts up-front for
many months ahead.

However, the big advantage of broadcasts is that you
can make the best use of timed events and link the
offer into current news stories and buzz.

I prefer both and choose the one that suits the
objectives of the particular e-mail.

If you choose just one of the two - you'll be getting
rid of a potentially more powerful tool in your
follow-up arsenal for particular situations.

Dedicated to your success,

Shaun
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- tecHead 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly
  
  Your survey should include an option of both IMO.
  
  ...
  
  Shaun
  
  Thanks, but can't seem to find where to edit the Poll.
  
  Anyone wanting to choose the "BOTH" option, just say so in your post?
  
  Thanks
  
  Thanks
  
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  John Lenaghan 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by tecHead
  
  Anyone wanting to choose the "BOTH" option, just say so in your post?
  
  Both
  
  I think an autoresponder series is great for getting information out to a new prospect, when they are engaged and interested in what you're offering. If you write it so that the information is evergreen, and stay away from any references that would be out of place ("just finished opening our Christmas gifts" in the middle of July, for example) it can be hard to distinguish from "live" email broadcasts.
  
  Especially in markets where people aren't so familiar with autoresponders. Internet marketers are probably going to know - people interested in a hobby or some other niche information quite often think you're sending the message right to them. I get responses from people all the time to messages in my AR series (which can be a bit of a challenge when they don't quote the original message and I have to figure out what they're responding to).
  
  Broadcast emails are better for timely information, or something that has a limited shelf-life (special offers, seasonal information, etc.)
  
  I think you need to use both to get the maximum benefit.
  
  John
  
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- TinkBD 14 years ago
  
  I work with a lot of offline business owners and I see a common mistake which I believe is a hold over from offline.
  
  I call it the *Either Or Syndrome*.
  
  The thinking is that you have to choose one option or the other!
  
  And often, because of the flexible and dynamic nature of the internet, computers, and technology, this rarely has to be the case online.
  
  Certainly with email marketing - the backbone of any internet success -- I think that since the technology is available to both easily, you should take advantage of it.
  
  When planning a list, start with a full autoresponder series -- set it and forget it. (This also continues building relationships without you having to worry about things)
  
  BUT
  
  Integrate it with a complete email marketing campaign (in the form of Broadcast emails) as well.... this adds a timely, current feel to your email relationship building.
  
  The fact of the matter is that there is no One Size Fits All for any marketing situation. The technology is there to easily utilize both methods, so just do it! ;-)
  
  Tink
  
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tecHead 14 years ago

Thank you, very much to everyone whose lent me their experience and ideas thus far. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Seems the overall census thus far is to implement both the AutoResponder Series and eMail Campaigns into the eMail marketing and list maintaining mix. Makes sense; as I predicted originally, seems everyone (who's vocally participated) agrees that both are needed.

I agree, as well.

BUT, like I said in my OP; so far (and I'm kinda sure a lot of other people feel the same way) doing both along with all the other things that need to be done with driving traffic and running my business(es)... maintaining a list the right way, (by keeping fresh and relevant content in their inbox while fostering a genuine relationship), has been close to (if not actually) a full-time job in and of itself.

That's the part I'm trying to figure out how to get around. I'm not one of those people who's first thought is, "..if the time spent is perceived as too consuming, outsource it..".. I'd rather try and figure out some type of solution without immediately cutting into my bottom-line.

So... what's your thoughts on this? Help me out here... I'm kinda at a loss..
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- JohnMcCabe 14 years ago
  
  Most of the time, I would say "both".
  
  There are exceptions. You mentioned the word "automate", and that brings up one of the exceptions.
  
  There are a few niches that generate a single purchase, where if the purchase works, the buyers are no longer part of the market. Many medical conditions fit this bill.
  
  If I buy a product to cure warts, let's say, and the product cures my warts, guess what? I'm no longer interested in wart-related products or information, so an ongoing email campaign would be, at best, ineffective and, at worst, annoying.
  
  I don't need another wart solution, and I'm not going to stick around while you pester me with one offer after another, fishing for another condition I might buy something for.
  
  For markets like that, a single tested and effective email series might be just what the doctor ordered, if you'll pardon the expression.
  
  My preferred method is to use a combination of autoresponder series and one-off emails that lead subscribers down multiple paths, used in niches that favor multiple, ongoing purchases.
  
  Example:
  
  > I market (hypothetically) a method for improving your putting. It works.
  
  Path A: Additional material on putting that makes the method more effective (autoresponder) coupled with emails announcing/linking to reviews of new putters, replacement grips, etc. At some point, they will be offered a chance to also join Path B and Path C...
  
  Path B: Material on the other phases of the game - driving, long irons, short game, trouble shots, etc. Each phase would come with links to useful resources and offers/links to reviews of clubs, training aids, balls, etc.
  
  If you were really ambitious, you could branch off of path B to minipath B1, B2, etc.
  
  This path would be started as an email campaign, then the messages that get the best response get added as automatic messages. New product announcements and other time-sensitive stuff would still go out as a one-off.
  
  Path C: Path C would be for the true aficionados. Stuff on golf history, great courses, course management, competitive golf, whatever.
  
  Path C would be more like a newsletter than a campaign.
  
  Again, if you were really ambitious, you could add Paths D, E, F...
  
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tecHead 14 years ago

thanks, John... yeah, I get all that. Nice how you laid it all out like that, though. Appreciated.

I'll keep this one in the woodshed for now and see what I can come up with, later. A way to lessen the load of leading them down multiple algorithmic paths... hmm
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