Special offer

Can You Recommend a Superior Autoresponder Service?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

This situation has me pulling my hair!

For a long time I was using Get Response to gather names, because I could set up individual campaigns - with separate web forms offering different reports, letters, etc.

Then I transferred those names to Constant Contact because their letter set-up was easy to use. I could create a decent looking ezine without spending hours on it.

I didn't like not being able to set up separate campaigns with them, but they did allow me to transfer the GR names in.

But then, they had some kind of a problem and I ended up losing 90% of my list. It wasn't just me - I think they lost a lot of customers last December.They sure are doing a lot of advertising for new business right now.

Get Response won't allow me to input names. Even if you write me and ask to be put on the list, I have to say "Do it yourself." It also won't allow me to change an email address when someone writes to tell me they have a new one.

AND... their mail program is maddening. I just spent an hour and a half entering one simple letter. The system is "clunky" and even worse - the letters sometimes look stupid by the time they arrive in an in-box, even if they looked OK in a test mail.

I've tried Aweber - I know other people love it, but it must be because I have a slow satellite internet connection - when I try to enter letters it kicks me out of the program every 2 or 3 minutes and I have to log in over and over and over. And if I forget to save every minute or so, my work gets lost.

So... Are you using an autoresponder that is easy to use, lets you set up separate campaigns, lets you input names of people who want to hear from you, and works with a satellite connection.

If you know of a superior autoresponder service ... please share. I'm more than ready for a change!

Comments (9)

Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate
Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY
Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

Sorry to say I don't have any answers for you, but I think you've brought up a very good question!  I'll have to check back and see what other people have to suggest.... thanks!

Apr 06, 2011 03:16 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Brenda - I hope someone does suggest! But I may have posted at the wrong time of day... when the new postings stream by too fast for anyone to see them!

Apr 06, 2011 04:21 PM
Peter Pfann @ eXp Realty Pfanntastic Properties in Victoria, Since 1986.
eXp Realty, Victoria BC www.pfanntastic.com - Victoria, BC
Talk To or Text Peter 250-213-9490

Hi Marte,

we are just starting with CC and they have just today announced a numer of upgrades, so you may want to check them (again)

Our CRM is Advantage xi, and it can direct import data from webforms and you can create any and all campaigns yourself.

also there are a number of  msoulook ad ons that will do all kinds of drip campaigns and custom  emails.

Good luck

 

Apr 06, 2011 06:08 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Peter & Linda - Thanks for the input.

I don't think I have the nerve to try CC again - not after what happened and the way they treated me.

They made me feel like a criminal - and pretty much accused me of inputing names that I had come by dishonestly. That wasn't the case. Every name in my database was someone who had opted in, so I was pretty mad.

Good luck with them!

One thing you should know - every time you send a message, go check your bounces and remove any addresses that have gone bad. I'd been doing that about once a month, and they said the fact that I didn't do it often enough was the reason for the problem.

Get Response removes them automatically, but CC doesn't - or at least didn't back in December.

Apr 06, 2011 06:32 PM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Marte,

This is a great post. I thought you were offering help, but you were asking for input.

I can't help you, but I'm sure someone will comment that can...

Thanks

Phil

Apr 06, 2011 06:40 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Thanks Phil - I hope so! I could offer help with writing the letters, but I really need a better way to deliver my own.

Apr 06, 2011 06:54 PM
Judy Chapman
Referral Network of Illinois LLC - Chicago, IL

Marte, I've done some research. When I'm ready to use an autoresponder, I'm going to sign up with aweber.com. All the big hitters use them and the price isn't bad.

Apr 07, 2011 12:48 AM
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

Yes Marte I also heard Advantage XI is the best CRM howvever I dont use it yet.

May 07, 2011 11:36 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Judy - don't know how I missed your message, but sometimes AR doesn't let me know when there's a comment. Sorry!

I tried Aweber, but it doesn' t work with my Wild Blue satellite connection. I think it has something to do with the way information goes back and forth, but the result is that I kept getting kicked out every few minutes... it could take 2 hours or more to enter a simple newsletter.

Paul - I haven't heard of that one.

Meanwhile, a couple of weeks ago I started using "Your Mailing List Provider" and I like it. Very simple to use as long as you remember a few little rules. You have to say "Save as Draft" before you say "Continue" or you lose everything you just did!

After losing it all a couple of times, I HOPE I'll remember in the future. Otherwise, it's very user-friendly.

May 07, 2011 11:54 AM