Although there will always be daily tasks that you must
handle personally, there are a number of your daily tasks
that you can automate or at least partially automate.

For example, if you're receiving the same basic support
requests or questions over and over again, there are two
different ways you can automate your answers:

1) Create a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page for your
website and/or products. Your page should include a list of
commonly asked questions and provide the answers for each.

2) Create a text template for each of your frequently asked
questions that contain the answers. When you receive a
commonly asked question, simply open your text file and copy
and paste your pre written answer into your email message.
You can then customize your message for each recipient.

The above example will assist you in partially automating
some of your daily tasks. However, there are some tasks that
can be completely automated simply by placing your
information within an autoresponder.

Autoresponders are one of the top promotional tools
available online today. They are also known as mailbots,
automatic email and email on demand. They were derived from
the very popular fax on demand and designed to automatically
respond to any email message sent to it with an automatic
response.

Autoresponder programs vary from software set up to run with
your desktop email program to a script that runs on your
server. The script may run a web-based autoresponder system
that utilizes a web page form, or it may run with your pop
email account on your server. It is programmed to
automatically send out a predetermined message when a
message is received to a specified script address or email
address. 

Below is a list of tasks that you can completely automate:

=> Articles

If you're writing articles to promote your business, you can
place them within an autoresponder. This will enable your
visitors to quickly and easily retrieve your articles on
demand.

=> Ad Rates

If you're selling any type of advertising space, you can
place your ad rates within an autoresponder to enable your
visitors to request them at any time.

=> Business Opportunities

If you're promoting a business opportunity, you can provide
your potential customers with further information via
autoresponder.

=> Free Courses

In addition to the standard autoresponder systems, there are
also autoresponders that can send an unlimited amount of
follow-up messages. These follow-up messages can be set up
to automatically be sent out at predetermined intervals. In
other words, you can set up your autoresponder to
automatically send out a new message each day for as many
days as you would like.

Follow-up autoresponder systems will enable you to set up a
free course used to increase your sales. As you may know, it
may take up to seven contacts with a potential customer
before closing a sale. By setting up an autoresponder and
offering a free autoresponder course, you can completely
automate a portion of your marketing efforts.

The examples above can be set up with any of the following
autoresponder services:

GetResponse 
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=gr

SendFree 
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=sf

AWeber 
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=aw

In addition to autoresponders automating some of your daily
tasks, there are also scripts that can be used to
automatically respond to form submissions. For example, if
you're processing your customers' orders yourself (with a
merchant account, secure server, etc.), you can use a form
processing script to not only process your customers'
information, but to also do all of the following:

- Send out an order confirmation message 
- Add your customers' information to your database 
- Send out download instructions 
- Send you a copy of the order

If you're using a third-party credit card processing
company, there is a way you can automate your ordering
process as well. 

Third-party processing companies require that you provide a
web address that is used to direct your customers to once
their payment has been processed. This page is usually used
to provide your customers with download instructions.
However, you can use this page to collect your customers'
information prior to directing them to your download page.
Simply use a script like the one mentioned above.

Please keep in mind, there aren't many form processing
scripts that will send out an autoresponse file -- most
won't. However, the following form processing script will:
http://bignosebird.com/carchive/bnbform.shtml 

In addition to using a form processing script to automate
your ordering process, you can also use a web based mailing
script. 

Instead of setting up your "download" page with the above
form, place a subscription form within the page. This form
will be used to collect your customers' name and email
address. Once completed, your customers' information will be
added to your database and an autoresponse message will be
immediately sent out. This message should be used to thank
your customer for their purchase, and provide them with
download instructions. 

The great thing about this technique is that you can
personalize your autoresponse message with your customers'
name. In addition, they are automatically added to a
database, which will enable you to send out product updates
or introduce new products.

Please keep in mind, not all web based mailing scripts will
send out an autoresponse message or enable you to
personalize your messages. However, the following scripts
will:

OptIn Lightning 
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=oil2

A complete list management system including pop-up
subscription request alert, email subscriptions, follow-up
autoresponders, SQL database, supports large databases,
personalization features, automatic removal links and more.
(Only supports one mailing list) 

@News Wizard 
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=nw

Complete list management including unlimited lists, list
import/convert function, duplicate check, HTML or plain text
newsletters, customizable auto-personalization of messages
and more. 
(Supports multiple mailing lists)

Automating portions of your Internet business is an
essential part of your success. Not only will it lighten
your workload, but it will also free up your valuable time.

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Copyright © Shelley Lowery 2003.

About the Author:

Shelley Lowery is the author of the highly acclaimed ebook
series, Web Design Mastery -- An eight volume (500+ pages)
in-depth guide to professional web design. Web Design
Mastery is being hailed as the "Bible" for professional web
design. http://www.webdesignmastery.com