An Autoresponder is an automated response system that sends out scheduled email messages to a mailing list. Very simply put, an Autoresponder puts an online OR offline business on Auto-Pilot.

How can an Autoresponder help promote a business?

Let's look at it this way:

How much time do you spend sending out mailings to your customers or prospects? The time you spend sending out mailings could be better spent doing other things like going out with family and getting new customers, right? If you could automate your response to your mailing list, you would be saving valuable time.

So why not have your own Autoresponder?

Can it really help YOUR business or opportunity?

Of course it can! Autoresponders have helped many businesses simplify the follow-up of its mailing list members, even just to remind its members of their products or services. Most online businesses these days have one or more different Autoresponders working for them. People sign up for a mailing list and begin receiving messages on a schedule determined by the person behind the Autoresponder.

Some Autoresponders send out messages every month, others more frequently. That all depends on the purpose and goals of the Autoresponder. If you are in sales ormarketing, an Autoresponder is a key element in your business, and is your first-contact with, or follow-up to your mailing list.

An Autoresponder will do the sorting and advertising for you, tirelessly, 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.

There are many different Autoresponder companies, some of the most reputable ones include AWeber, GetResponse, Response Magic, Email Aces and Traffic Wave.

The difference lies in the individual features offered by the Autoresponder company, essentially "what do you get for your money". Some companies also offer different levels of service for varying subscription prices, which gives each user the chance to select which configuration would best fit the business involved.

If you are unsure, sign up for the least expensive version, or if there is one, a Free Trial. Check if they have any training manuals or other support, so that you can get familiar with the particular features and how it all works. As an added bonus, most Autoresponder companies have a referral compensation program as well, so you can benefit by promoting your favorite Autoresponder company.

So, if you have a set of good marketing emails and are still sending them one by one, you are wasting precious time and probably not getting the return on your investment that you deserve. Basically, the main features of an Autoresponder are:

* number of message series allowed - from 1 to unlimited

* number of contacts allowed - from 100 to unlimited

* SPAM-checker ? - for safe delivery of messages

* text or html ? - if you understand html, you can create some very pretty messages

Another way to get an Autoresponder is to buy the software programs that do the same thing. However, in the interest of saving time, you are much better off using one of the web-based Autoresponder companies mentioned above.