When it comes to email marketing, no one does it better than Mark Hanna. Creator of HannaMarketers.com, he’s the man responsible for popularizing auto-responders and using them effectively in his own business.
What if I told you there was a way to write an email that would automatically reply, “Thanks for the interest. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can,” and then actually follow through?
You’d say I was joking, right? After all, why would you ever write an email that didn’t get opened?
But here’s the truth: Many businesses have tried, and many businesses continue to fail, when it comes to using email effectively.
The good news is that you can follow the methods of Mark Hanna and others like him to dramatically increase the engagement you get from your email marketing. And that, in turn, can lead you to increased conversions and a happier customer base.
What is an email auto-reply or auto-responder, and why should you use one?
The Definition Of An Auto-Reply Email
An auto-reply email is a type of email that starts with a brief introductory paragraph (also known as the subject line) and then auto-responds to the email message (i.e. the body of the email).
The advantage of an auto-reply is that you can set it to go out automatically whenever you send an email. This way, you don’t have to worry about whether or not the recipient will open your email—the software will do that for you.
If someone hits you up on LinkedIn or Facebook with a lead that you want to follow up with, you can set up a simple email that will automatically reply with “Thanks for reaching out. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
And then, you never have to worry about whether or not they’ll get the follow-up message. Because they’ll automatically get it as soon as they hit send.
The Rise In Popularity Of Auto-Reply Emails
If you take a look at social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, you’ll see that many businesses have started using auto-reply emails as a method of engaging with customers and potential customers.
On LinkedIn, you’ll often find that the profile of a business will include an “About” section, which links to the company’s website and often contains a small sampling of their press coverage as well as employee reviews.
Often, in these cases, the “About” section will include a form, which allows you to get in touch with the company by phone or email. And, in some cases, you’ll even find a live chat button, which provides a quick way for potential customers to get in touch.
By integrating a form like this in your own About section on your own website, you’re providing customers with a way to get in touch without having to leave the comfort of their own home. And, in some cases, you may well see an increase in both leads and conversions as a result.
Whether you decide to use a form in your about section or another method of getting in touch, an auto-reply is a quick and easy way to get back to someone, once you’ve established contact.
And, for customers who are on the other side of the transaction, having an auto-reply can provide a sense of legitimacy that your business is a trustworthy entity. So, in some cases, you can see a lead generation increase from using an auto-reply.
How To Use Auto-Reply Emails Effectively
Now, not all leads from social media are created equal, and you should never consider getting “any” lead. But, in cases where you’ve generated a lead that you want to follow up with, an auto-reply is an easy way to do so.
If you decide to use a form in the About section of your website, you’ll want to make sure that you collect the relevant information needed to follow up with a lead. This way, you’re not wasting your time following up with people who aren’t interested in what you have to offer.
To help you generate leads and to keep your own leads fresh in your mind, it’s a good idea to review your previous sales and follow-up processes regularly. This will help you identify any gaps in your marketing efforts and provide you with the opportunity to take steps to fill those gaps.
For example, if one of your sales team’s responsibilities is to follow up with leads, and you’ve noticed that they’ve fallen off in this area, it may be time for an upgrade. But, if you’ve never worked with leads before and you’re wondering how to go about it, begin by simply taking a look at the forms that your team has collected over the years.
This will give you a clear idea of what has worked and what needs to be changed. By taking the time to review your own sales and marketing activities, you can be sure that you’re providing yourself with the best chance to succeed. And, as a result, your customers will also enjoy the benefits of your new approach.
Marketing To The Mobile Generation
With more and more people relying on mobile devices for their web browsing, getting the attention of those on the go can be a significant challenge.
Whether it is a quick trip to the coffee shop to get a coffee before heading to work or a flight to London that you’ve been planning for months, being able to reach your audience wherever they are can make a difference.
And, thanks to the power of mobile marketing, you can target your offers to a specific audience and engage with them via text messaging or online videos.
To reach the most amount of people, incorporate mobile marketing into your overall marketing strategy. Consider using text messaging to encourage people to visit your website or social media accounts. Or, produce online videos, which viewers can access from their mobile phones.
Incorporating mobile marketing into your strategy provides you with the opportunity to target the right audience, regardless of where they are, and engage with them online.
The good news is that you can implement a mobile marketing strategy easily and without too much cost via third-party tools, such as Google AdWords. With these tools, you can register a new account and then choose which devices you’d like to work with (i.e. mobile phones or tablets).
After that, you can focus on creating ads that will appeal to your target audience. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, creating ads that perform well isn’t that hard.
In a nutshell, using mobile marketing to engage with customers and prospects is an easy and effective way to get in touch with a large audience no matter where they are. And, in cases where you’re not sure where to start, opting for an auto-reply can be a quick way to get in touch and establish credibility.