What is a "bot" or Autoresponder?
An Autoresponder (AR) or bot, is a web based application that resides on a server and contains pre-written email messages which are sent in response to email that is sent to the email address associated with that AR.
This is the number one tool of online sites that are trying to promote their products. In most cases, the website that offers a product offers free information, and prompts the surfer to “join the newsletter free” to get important information about their product. Many give good info on all sorts of topics, mostly related to that site.
Many people are hesitant and mistrustful of sites selling things. They have to be convinced it is a worthy item they must have. You may be one of these yourself, I am hopelessly skeptical of all advertising since I have been in the business of selling online over 3 years. Too many use deceptive texts and phrases to trick the unwary surfer into buying. They simply have no moral fiber and relent to this practice to make the sale.
But well written truthful ads, and emails you get from an AR, can be very informative if the composer can show you that you have a need, or desire, and the product offered can provide resolution to that desire.
As mentioned in a previous topic the studies have revealed that it takes at least five emails from an AR to convince the recipient to buy. Professionals study the product, and write a series of emails for the AR called an AR Series. When completed, this series, which is nothing more that a set of text files are stored on the server that dispenses the AR series.
When a surfer or marketer joins the AR by entering their name and email address to it, they begin getting these messages, typically one message per day. This joining is known as “opting in”. The standard is one introduction email instantly, the one the next day. The remaining mails come one to three days apart after. All legitimate AR series have included with each, a disclaimer at the top stating the recipient agreed to get them or someone using their email address did so.
It also states that the recipient can “opt out” by clicking a link or replying to the email and putting “remove” in the subject line. If you get a mail from someone that you do not know, and it does not have this disclaimer and removal option, it is sent illegally. This is also known as spam.