Auto-Responder Outline

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

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

1) Order Tracking. The section provides the order number for easy referral if there is a problem with the order. Customers can use this number when contacting 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. It's fairly standard for auto-responder emails.

a) Order Confirmation. This email assures you that the company received 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 sent to the spam folder.

Finally the auto-responder message has a closing note from the 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 reduced than the above description. No graphics were involved, though the information was captured and digested shortly.

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 the 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.

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Social Media Marketing is definitely an ideal technique to increase brand awareness, opportunities and sales of your enterprise by means of social media channels and also by doing visual demonstrations such as Video Marketing, which induces awareness about the business and its services and products.