These automatically distributed e-mail messages not only provide pre-programmed content but also motivate prospects to revisit your site for the latest offers. And, of course, once they click through to your website, you can offer more content delivered via audio, video and other multimedia options, as well as offers for your products and services.
Since studies show that 48 percent of salespeople give up after the first contact and 25 percent after the second, this is a perfect way to make sure your follow-up stays consistent. Best of all, after you program the series, it will perform flawlessly for you for years to come.
3. Take payments online. It has never been easier or more affordable to set up an online payment system through PayPal.com or your own merchant account. Once you set up your account, it's simple to sell products or services online by purchasing an online shopping cart. A shopping cart allows you to capture e-mail addresses, automate responses, track leads and sell your product to customers around the world 24/7. These systems are surprisingly easy to setup, operate and maintain.
4. Track and measure your marketing efforts. Over the years, I've trained and coached hundreds of business owners in marketing through my Guerrilla Marketing Coaching Program. Through a series of assessments, it's become very clear that most businesses fall short in the area of marketing measurement.
Here are some questions to consider:
- How many unique visitors come to your website?
- How many visitors opt into your mailing list or order your products?
- When you send e-mails, how many are opened and how many people actually click through to your website?
The answers are important because they'll tell you what you need to improve, such as the pulling power of your headlines or copy or your website's navigation. You won't know until you start measuring. Many of today's automated shopping cart systems include ad trackers, which automatically calculate your click-throughs and conversion statistics. Some good integrated shopping cart systems can be found on websites like EasyWebAutomation.com, AWeber.com, and Infusion.com.
Benefits to You and Your Business
When you automate daily tasks, you have more time to focus on growing your company. Best of all, your money-making activities don't grind to a halt and you don't have to hire or train any staff.
Also when your business becomes automated, your presence becomes optional, leaving you time to actually take a vacation while making money at the same time. With most systems, you can quickly and easily check your sales and orders from any web browser.
The internet is a competitive, ever-changing marketplace. The right strategy combined with powerful and practical automated systems gives you an edge over your competitors. You'll attract more customers, and spend less time, money and energy winning them over. Automation services and software leverage the best technology available to make you money day and night, whether you're there or not.
Mitch Meyerson is the author of Mastering Online Marketing, with Mary Eule Scarborough, and seven other books. He is the founder of The Guerrilla Marketing Coaching Program and three other online education programs.
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