TellerCreations.com

Auto-Responder Outline

The auto-responder note was short, pointed and just what I needed to read. In fact, I thought the email was really a representation of the near perfect auto-responder message.

I want to break down the elements that make an auto-responder message successful.

1) Order Tracking. When there's a problem with the order the section gives the order number for easy referral. Using this number a customer can contact the company with any customer service question.

2) A Statement of Intent. This section clearly defines how many emails the recipient will receive to guide them through the product fulfillment process. In the case of this sample that number is three. This number is fairly standard for auto-responder emails.

a) Order Confirmation. This assures you the company got your order.

b) Order Status. This email indicates that the order is in process and provides an itemized list of purchases and applicable discounts along with shipping related costs

c) Order Shipped. This is sent if the product fulfillment team has the package ready for delivery. This generally includes tracking numbers and business contact information should the package be delayed lost or arrived damaged.

At this point the auto-responder notice encourages recipients to white list their emails so future information isn't delivered to the spam folder.

Lastly the auto-responder message has a closing note from your customer services department head. In this case there is a statement listed that read, 'My only job is making you happy.'

In all the auto-responder, message was shorter than the above description. No graphics were involved, but the message was caught and digested rapidly.

It might be to your advantage to create your auto-responder messages short and without unnecessary marketing statements. In the end the reason for the auto-responder is to manage a customer's order once the purchase is actually complete. To go overboard in marketing may be seen as overkill.

Auto-responders must be designed to assist both the online business owner and the customer. This occurs when relevant information is delivered on a timely basis.

Customers appreciate knowing the status of their order and a three-pronged approach to information delivery can happen in a virtually hands-free environment known as auto-responder.

Does your auto-responder need to look exactly like the sample outline above? No. You create it in whatever way you want. I simply used this outline to show one very succinct approach to let your customers to know what to expect, when to expect it and that you will never be sending long-term emails to them without their permission.

I suggest that if you want to incorporate a marketing angle make that appeal on your last auto-responder email. This email provides tracking information, but it may also alert customers to ezines or free email services you may offer that may be knowledge-based and desirable. Make sure this is offered as an opt-in function and don't high-pressure these individuals who've already expanded their trust in making an acquisition.

Auto-responders could possibly be the first line of defense with regards to providing proactive customer service.

Social Media Marketing is indeed a great approach to improve brand awareness, opportunities and product sales of your business through social media channels and also by doing visual presentations such as Video Marketing, which induces interest about the organization and its products and services.