Using Autoresponders to Corral in More Clients

Typically, the online consultant uses an email autoresponder to notify new contacts that their request for a job quote has been received. The message that the recipient gets looks something like this:

Thank you for contacting COMPANY X. Your request has been received. We will be contacting you in 24-48 business hours with a response to your query.

This type of autoresponder lets your contact know his email message was delivered. Great!

But what about what happens AFTER you make contact with a potential client, and you leave the ball in their court but they don't respond within the anticipated timeframe?

If you don't have a live human being to do your follow-up dirty work, perhaps an autoresponder is the next best thing. Don't use the one that came with your Microsoft Outlook account. Instead, utilize the power of your list management system - the same one you use to send out your ezine and other promotions that reach your audience via autoresponder messages.

Here's how it could work. The potential client initiates a discussion; the two of you talk. Project details are covered, a price is stated that the customer appears comfortable working with.

A week goes by, and no further word from the prospect. You would call him if you had the time or manpower, but another, more proactive group of clients has your attention right now.

What if that autoresponder service we talked about could issue a gentle nudge that lets your future clients know you've made them a scheduling priority and are politely waiting to fit them into your brimming work schedule?

If you already use an autoresponder system such as KickstartCart.com, you can easily start a new autoresponder list called PROSPECTS. (This is a separate list from the people who signed up for your email newsletter. You don't want to confuse the two groups.)

Set up your autoresponder so that the message gets automatically sent after one week of adding the contact name to your list.

Craft your message so that it reads similarly to this one:

"You are receiving this automated reminder because you inquired about copywriting work from Wordfeeder.com. Spots are filling up fast for the upcoming work week. Please email Dina@Wordfeeder.com to confirm your project. If you have already scheduled copywriting for this date, you may disregard this email. We look forward to helping you grow your business!"

Additionally, you may wish to reassure your future clients that this is the ONLY reminder notification you plan to send out (so they know you're not spam-happy). And while you're in touch, why not invite them to sign up for your ezine if they haven't already? (This will corral them on to a more permanent contact list.) Include the link to your subscriber form directly in this email notification.

Sounds like a decent way to keep in touch with people who show interest in your services, without taking up many hours of your busy day, and without being too pushy. If you set up this system for your business, let me know if it brings you success!

Copyright 2006 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

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