Proper use of autoresponders can take many forms. The most popular, is to post a short classified ad either on a web site or a newsletter, and invite reader to email you for more information. The email address you give is actually your autoresponder, which automatically sends person your canned message without any involvement on your part. This is your online secretary which is ready to answer inquiries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If message you send out this way is well written, and of interest to person inquiring, they will get back to you for more information. If it is not of interest, odds are you will not hear from them again.

But some people have confused things here a bit. They don't understand meaning of "NO". If I have made up my mind I am not interested in your offer, I really don't want you to give me same, or similar information again, and again, and again.

"But", you might say, "I have always been told it takes between 5 and 7 exposures before someone will act on my ad". This is true. It may have taken 5 to 7 exposures to your classified ad before they acted. When they responded to your autoresponder for more information however, they did act on your ad.

* Small Business Owners * Opportunity Seekers * Doctors * Homeowners

Do you define targeted market for your business similar to one of these? If you do, you're working harder and spending more money than necessary to promote your business. And you're enjoying only a fraction of sales you should be getting.

Most business owners recognize value of targeting a market. But when you target a broad audience like those listed above, you're only targeting prospects who CAN use your product or service. You have to narrow your focus if you want to target prospects who are LIKELY to use your product or service. One of best ways to do this is to find a niche market.

WHAT IS A NICHE MARKET?

A niche market is a narrowly defined group that includes all of following:

1. Individuals in group have same specialized interests and needs. 2. They have a strong desire for what you offer. 3. You have (or you can create) a compelling reason for prospects in group to do business with you instead of with someone else. 4. You can easily reach individual prospects within group. 5. The group is large enough to produce volume of business you need. 6. The group is small enough that your competition is likely to overlook it.

WHY YOU MUST NARROW YOUR FOCUS

A niche market enables you to target your sales messages with great precision. The more narrowly you define your niche market easier it is to cater to specifically defined interests of people in that market.

For example, some businesses describe their target market as "opportunity seekers". But this is a broad audience. You cannot cater to specifically defined personal interests of individuals in this group because it may include all of following: