How often have you subscribed to a newsletter or a report? Most of us have done so at one time or another. If you have then you have  received your newsletter or report via an auto-responder.

   Auto-responders are certainly not a new Internet technology but they are one of the most effective at delivering quality information to customers and potential customers via your website.

   The evolution of the auto-responder now means you can create  a number of databases fast according to the type of information or demographic  you wish to target. They are also very user friendly allowing the user to  create a number of great forms for inclusion into websites.

So what are the main reasons for using an auto-responder?

1. Keeping customers/potential customers up to date with  products/services/technologies etc

2. Creating easy to manage databases of potential customers  and existing customers

3. Creation and sending of broadcast emails

4. Creation and sending of newsletters

5. Creation and sending of reports

6. Everything is automated - you don't need to manage the database at all just add content

7. Auto-responder providers provide extensive support to ensure you get the most out of the service

   How does it work?

The auto-responder ensures that anybody subscribing to it for information knows and understands that is what they choose to do. It is not  a spam system and spam is never tolerated from auto responders. An  auto-responder works like this:

1. Customer/potential customer signs up from specially created form from an email/website

2. An email is sent to the subscriber asking them to confirm they wish to subscribe

3. When the subscriber confirms they receive their 1st newsletter/email/report that you have created

4. A subscriber can unsubscribe at anytime.

   Almost every person who has access to the Internet will have  an email address. This means your potential for doing business is greater than  it has ever been. Not only can you contact thousands even millions of potential  customers faster than ever before you can now do so without the huge expense.  For just a few dollars a month you can be promoting and marketing your business  direct to emails all over the world and all because they want to hear from you.

   Savvy business owners know that an auto-responder with not  only save them money it will make them money. With the extensive support  auto-responder companies use you cannot go wrong.

   So next time you have something to say ensure you have an subscription box setup on your website so you can be saying it direct via email.

Author Katherine Quirke is a successful Australian based business entrepreneur with an IT background, has owned a number of businesses over the last 20 years. She also runs and owns an art gallery. Sharing her business knowledge is a passion. For more information on creating email marketing visit: http://www.potentialtime.com/aweber.htm