The auto-responder note was short, pointed and just what I needed to read. In fact, I thought the email was really a representation of the near perfect auto-responder message.
I want to break down the elements that will make an auto-responder message successful.
1) Order Tracking. When there’s a problem with the order the section gives the order number for easy referral. Using this number a customer can contact the company with any customer service question.
2) A Statement of Intent. This section clearly defines how many emails the recipient will receive to guide them through the product fulfillment process. In the case of this sample that number is three. It’s fairly standard for auto-responder emails.
a) Order Confirmation. This email assures you that the company received your order.
b) Order Status. This email indicates that the order is in process and provides an itemized list of purchases and applicable discounts along with shipping related costs
c) Order Shipped. This is sent if the product fulfillment team has the package ready for delivery. This generally includes tracking numbers and business contact information should the package be delayed lost or arrived damaged.
At this point the auto-responder notice motivates recipients to white list their emails so future information isn’t sent to the spam folder.
Finally the auto-responder message has a closing note from your customer services department head. In cases like this there’s a statement listed that read, ‘My only job is making you happy.’
In all the auto-responder, message was reduced than the above description. No graphics were involved, though the information was captured and digested shortly.
It could be to your advantage to make your auto-responder messages short and without excessive marketing statements. In the end the reason for the auto-responder is to manage a customer’s order after the purchase is actually complete. To be overboard in marketing may be seen as overkill.
Auto-responders must be designed to assist both the online business owner and the customer. This happens when pertinent information is delivered on a timely basis.
Customers appreciate learning the status of their order and a three-pronged approach to information delivery sometimes happens in a virtually hands-free environment known as auto-responder.
Does your auto-responder need to look exactly like the sample outline above? No. You create it in whatever way you want. I simply used this outline to show one very succinct approach to let your customers to know what to expect, when to expect it and that you will never be sending long-term emails to them without their permission.
I might suggest that if you want to include a marketing angle make that appeal on your last auto-responder email. This email can provide tracking information, however it can also alert customers to ezines or free email services you may offer that could be knowledge-based and appealing. Make sure this is offered as an opt-in function and don’t high-pressure these people who’ve already extended their trust in making an acquisition.
Auto-responders can be the first line of defense with regards to providing proactive customer support.
Social Media Marketing is indeed a great tactic to increase brand awareness, opportunities and sales of your enterprise by means of social media channels as well as by performing visual demonstrations such as Video Marketing, which induces interest about the organization and its products and services.