Section 6 - Autoresponders
What is an autoresponder? An autoresponder is a group of messages that are contained within a single sequential order. Autoresponders aren't truly messages, but are rather a container for messages. You can add an unlimited number of messages to your autoresponder. What the autoresponder does is order these messages by a number of daily increments after a subscription date. So, you could, for example, schedule a message for days 0, 3, and 5. If someone signs up on a Monday, they will receive an autoresponder message on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. However, it is important to note that autoresponders do not function in the same manner as other iContact communication channels. Autoresponders cannot be scheduled by date or published to the iContact Community Newsletter Archive. How do I create an autoresponder? To correctly create an autoresponder, it is best to follow these following steps in the order they are presented: 1. Create a new, empty list. 2. Create the autoresponder and associate the empty list to the autoresponder. 3. Create the autoresponder message series. 4. Enable the autoresponder via the Send tab. 5. Add contacts to new list associated with the autoresponder. To create an autoresponder, click the 'Create' tab in the user interface. Click 'Create an Autoresponder.' On the 'Edit an Autoresponder' page, input the autoresponder's information.
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Edit an Autoresponder
Autoresponder Name: The name of the autoresponder. Your contacts will not see this name. Autoresponder Description: This is a description of your autoresponder. This, also, will not be seen by your contacts. Source List: The list that your autoresponder will manage. Any time a new user signs up for this list, they will begin receiving the autoresponder messages. Autoresponder From Name: The name that your users will see when they receive an autoresponder message. Autoresponder From Email Address: The email address that will appear on the message.
When you are satisfied, click the blue 'Save,' button. You can begin adding new messages by clicking the 'Save & Add a Message' button. Section 6 – Autoresponders Page 2
Once you click 'Save,' you must begin adding messages. How do I add a message to an autoresponder? To add a message, click the 'Create' tab in the user interface. Click 'My Autoresponders.'
My Autoresponders Heading
Next, click the green plus-sign icon next to the name of your targeted autoresponder.
My Autoresponders List
From the next screen, click 'Add a Message.' After you click 'Add Message' you will be on the message creation screen. This is the same screen that you see when you create a regular email message. However, the message creation screen will now include the following section:
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Days from Initial Subscription
This section allows you to set how long the message will take before it is delivered to a subscriber.
Watch Out! When you create a message, you absolutely must use the SpamCheck button. If your message exceeds a 5.0 SpamCheck score, this can cause your autoresponders to malfunction and become disabled. Once you have added a message, you can edit or delete it from the autoresponder's list view.
Did you Know? If you need to edit or add a message in an existing autoresponder, it is generally considered a best practice to create a new autoresponder and then add your message to ensure your customers get the correct information you would like to convey.
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