Why Every Small Business Needs an Autoresponder

Supercharge Your Email List and Build Lasting Relationships on Autopilot

If you’re running a business, large or small, you know how crucial it is to make sales and keep customers coming back. But in our fast-paced digital world, how do you ensure that people don’t just visit your website, but trust you enough to buy?

In her latest video, Torie Mathis dives into exactly why autoresponders are the secret weapon in any smart business’s arsenal, and how you can use one to build genuine relationships and boost your bottom line.

Ready to turn your website visitors into lifelong fans and customers? Read on, and don’t forget to catch the video at the end of this article!

The Building Blocks of Profitability

Every successful business boils down to two essentials: you need a product or service to sell, and you need a market eager to buy it.

As Torie Mathis explains, today’s digital landscape gives you incredible tools to reach people; your website, social media, and even search engines can drive traffic your way.

But if your marketing ends there, just attracting visitors with content and ads, your sales may barely move the needle. Why? Because most people simply aren’t ready to buy the first time they ‘meet’ you online.

Why Don’t Website Visitors Buy Right Away?

It’s not just about exposure, it’s about trust. Torie Mathis breaks it down: before anyone spends a dime, they have to know, like, and trust you. That’s where most businesses fall short. Instead of bombarding new leads with pitches, you need to nurture those relationships over time.

And one of the best ways to do this? Good old-fashioned email.

Power of the Email List

You’ve probably heard it before: “The money is in the list.” There’s a reason email marketing remains one of the most profitable strategies out there. With email, you’re speaking directly to an interested audience if you do it right.

That’s where autoresponders come into play. As Torie Mathis details, your autoresponder will:

• Collect email addresses and build your list
• Deliver regular newsletters or broadcasts
• Send a personalized series of emails to each new subscriber automatically

Imagine writing five valuable emails once, and each person who signs up, whether today or next year, gets that full experience. That consistent communication is what turns cold leads into loyal customers.

Broadcasts vs. Autoresponder Series

Torie Mathis explains the difference: Broadcasts (like newsletters or announcements) go out to everyone at once, great for time-sensitive offers or updates. But autoresponders are the real magic: prewritten email sequences that every new subscriber receives, always starting from email #1.

So no matter when someone joins your list, they get your best content, your story, and your offers, exactly as you planned.

How to Use An Autoresponder

With all the tools available, how do you pick the right one? Torie Mathis recommends several top contenders: AWeber, Mailchimp, GetResponse, Constant Contact, and her favorite, Kartra. No matter which you choose, make sure it’s easy to import your existing contacts and simple enough for you to use.

Once set up, use your autoresponder to:

• Craft a welcome sequence that introduces your business, your story, and your most popular items
• Share testimonials, media appearances, or behind-the-scenes info to build trust and credibility
• Invite people to take actions, like joining events, supporting a cause, or making a purchase

Welcome Sequences

Sean, who runs a Museum Miles Through Time, saw a huge difference when Torie Mathis helped him set up a simple welcome email sequence. Instead of having people forget who he was (or worse, hit spam), new subscribers now get a warm welcome, his backstory, and clear next steps. Response rates and support from his community soared, as they will for you, too.

Get Started

Getting started is simple. Choose a platform (AWeber, Mailchimp, Kartra, etc.), import your contacts, and set up a basic welcome sequence to nurture new subscribers. Torie Mathis even offers step-by-step training and templates to help, no matter where you’re starting from.

But autoresponders are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a smart marketing strategy. Let me ask you a question: Do you know how your marketing stacks up?

Find out by taking the SMART Marketing quiz. Get customized results on how to get smarter with your marketing – you’ll learn exactly what YOUR business should focus on, get customized recommendations on how to get the best bang for your marketing buck, and unleash your business’s true potential. It’s like having a personal marketing coach by your side!

And remember, you don’t need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or a dedicated staff to market your business; you don’t even need a lot of time.

What you need is to be smart, and using autoresponders is smart for your business.

If you're ready to grow your business with smart marketing you can:

1. Sign up for weekly FREE Business Bytes with CEO, Torie Mathis

2. Get a SMART Funnel and begin to automate your marketing

3. Learn Digital Marketing with a Smart Marketing Course

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TORIE MATHIS

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs grow their business with Smart Marketing.  She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, international speaker + trainer, and the CEO + Creative Director at Lake Shark Media. She also teaches entrepreneurs how to get smart with digital marketing at toriemathis.com