Last updated on March 12th, 2019

 

Is there something like the best autoresponder sequence?

Well, if the headline of this post is to be believed, then yes 😉

In case you’re wondering… what in Nutella’s name is an autoresponder?

It is an automatic email sent out to folks who’re on your list when they perform a particular action, such as clicking on a link or qualify in a certain way, such as not opening any of your emails 😉

Now the art and science of autoresponders can be as mind-boggling as time travel, but the fact remain that autoresponders can work wonders to increase your sales, traffic and engagement with your email list.

>Don’t believe me, though. Talk to the numbers!

Unignorable, Unbeatable Email Automation Statistics

Automated email messages average 70.5% higher open rates and 152% higher click-through rates than “business as usual” marketing messages. – Epsilon Email Institute

Email is 40 times more effective at acquiring new customers than Facebook or Twitter. – McKinsey

72% people prefer to receive promotional content through email, compared to 17% who prefer social media. – MarketingSherpa

7 in 10 people say they made use of a coupon or discount from a marketing email in the prior week. (2012 Blue Kangaroo Study)

Email marketing has an ROI of 3800%. – DMA

So there you go. The writing’s on the wall. Email engagement can be the key to unlocking those sales and traffic, in one easy-peasy swoop.

And how can you engage via email with ease and without having to be glued to your laptop and email marketing service?

Enter… the autoresponders.

Yeah, I hear ya. Prerna, fine I know autoresponders work… but which one would work for me?

THIS one.

If there is ONLY one autoresponder sequence that you set up, let it be this one. Please. 😉

The Very Effective, All Awesome, Very Best Autoresponder Sequence for Small Businesses

Dum-dum-dum-dum… The best autoresponder sequence is the Welcome Sequence.

That IS right.

When someone signs up to your site OR makes their very first purchase, what happens next?

You send them their opt-in freebie or their order and then… what?

Do you then, email them every time you need to sell something to them or share what you’ve published, if you’re a personal brand?

Let’s back track and digress a little bit.

Say, you spot a new café in your neighborhood. The sign freshly painted, cheery and inviting.

You saunter over, open the door, and enter.

The aromas from the freshly baked brownies and croissants hits you straight up, pulling you in helplessly.

The lady behind the counter has a genuine smile {not the fake, I’m-just-doing-my-job-here one} and greets you cheerily but not too cheerily {don’t want to spook you out!}

You choose your coffee, pick a warm-from-the-oven, flaky croissant and sit down at your table.

You enjoy the sing-along, tap-your-foot, shake-your-head music and savor the rich, robustness of your java and the melt-in-the-mouth magic of the croissant.

You feel happy, safe, and have an “all-is-right-with-the-world” feeling in your heart.

THIS is how folks who stumble across your site and snag your freebie or place an order with you feel.

They’re loving what they see and they’re savoring it so much so that they’re parting with $$$ or their precious email addresses.

Once they do that, how do you wanna treat them?

I talk about this in 31 Days to Get More Customers, Increase Traffic and Boost Sales as well, but it bears repeating…

You welcome them back. You turn them into customers for life.

Just like the lady at the counter in the café would say “Hope to see you soon again!”

Your welcome sequence for new customers or subscribers is key to your sales, traffic and engagement.

Here’s what the folks at Emma found when they tested different types of email for open rates.

The Ultimate Welcome Sequence and How Most Businesses Get It ALL Wrong

So, the welcome sequence is the best autoresponder to create an instant connection with your audience.

Then why do so many businesses, get it all wrong?

Why do their welcome emails look like brusque messages that hardly invite, let alone delight?

Simply because we treat a sale or a sign up as the end of a transaction. When really, it is just the beginning.

What should your welcome autoresponder sequence be like?

Here are the 6 key elements a product-based business needs to include in it’s welcome autoresponder sequence.

And yes, you can easily spread each element across a 6-email sequence or what we call the COFFEE sequence

Sidenote: You maybe thinking…soo, one Email or 6?

Here’s the thing… you can spread this across 6 emails but you can also, bundle all of this into one stellar welcome email. The choice is yours. My personal recommendation to you {as is to my clients} is to go with 6.

One email, one focus.

Now, sit back and let’s enjoy some COFFEE!

1. Celebrate the purchase

You start off by celebrating their decision to shop with you! You congratulate them, welcome them to a community of shoppers who trust you and love you, make them feel super special about their choice.

In one word, you remove any buyer’s remorse and instead, create a fuzzy, feel-good feeling about shopping with you.

In this email, you can also explain how they can access their account, track their purchase and make any changes to their order, etc.

Give them everything they need to feel even more confident about their purchase with you.

2. Open up about your story

In your next email, you need to create a personal connection with your customers. You’d be surprised at how many customers want to know about a business’s story.

Their why, their values, their vision… their story.

So, talk about that.

Share why you started the business.

Open up and be honest, real, raw. Were you struggling with debt and needed to find a way to make ends meet? Were you frustrated with the choices you had and decided to just make your own product? Did you go through a life crisis and the business came about because of that?

Open up.

Also, touch on what your values are and where do you see the business headed? How are you being a part of the larger community? What initiatives or charities do you support? Share, as you would with a friend.

3. Friends, let’s be friendly

Speaking of friends, you also need to invite them to join you on social media and check out your blog.

But make it interesting…

Tell them why they need to join you there. It isn’t enough to say “hey, join us on Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest”

People are busy, people 😉

Explain what’s in it for them? What will they get? Exclusive insider specials, actionable tips, support from an engaged community, a few laughs.

Dish the benefits out.

4. Feed me with feedback

Now is also the time to ask them for feedback. They would have received their product and you want them to share what they think.

This email can invite them to share their review by sending them them the link to the product page.

Alternatively, you can invite them to share their review on your social networks, tag you in a photo with the product or simply hit “reply” and share it one-on-one with you.

5. Encouragement to spread the love

So, they’ve shared their review, you’ve shared your story, they feel part of your community… do you drop them like a hot egg? Uh-huh.

Don’t leave them hanging!

Invite them to spread the love, like I spread Nutella {sorry, couldn’t resist!} by referring a friend.

That’s right. You can invite them to refer your business to a friend and in turn, you’ll send them a special promo code.

Spread the love, thick and sweet!

6. Engagement keeps the conversation flowing

Finally, and most importantly, your welcome sequence needs to wrap up just how it started… with engagement and excitement.

Get them hotfooting over to your blog. That’s right. Link up to some of your stellar posts {and I sure hope you have some!} and let them dig into your best content… for free.

Don’t have a blog?

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again… Blogs aren’t just for bloggers. Start yours STAT. Download this Blog Better BakeBox {it’s free, m’friend!} and you’ll be on your way!

There you go. The best, easiest and infinitely more interesting welcome email sequence. Is it the best autoresponder sequence? You tell me 😉

Let’s talk…  Share in the comments below if you have a welcome autoresponder sequence in place. If you don’t, you know what to do, right? Questions, ask away.