Internet-based sales aid

• US 7,249,066 B1
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Identity Branding Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Identity Branding Incorporated
• Inventors: Tyte, Kris O., Krumroy, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): FADOK, MARK A
• Application Number:
  US09/810,090
• Time in Patent Office: 2,321 Days
• Field of Search: 705/25, 705/26, 705/27, 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/14.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent

Abstract

An apparatus for aiding in a sales effort includes a website accessible by a salesperson and having programming and storage of multiple communications. The website permits the salesperson to select a desired communication for the prospect to see and enables the salesperson to input an identification of a prospect to be sent an email that includes a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a communication selected by the salesperson. The website displays the communication to the prospect when accessed using the link, including multiple screens viewable by the prospect in sequence, provoked by the prospect. The communication permits the prospect to indicate that more information is desired and records this data for the salesperson. The website stores information about the prospect'"'"'s viewing of the communication and sends an email to the salesperson when the prospect has reviewed the communication.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sending a link in an email, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a machine-readable medium including instructions executable by the processor to;

access a website by a salesperson

the salesperson inputting an identification of a prospect to be sent an email including the prospect'"'"'s email address and a first message to send to the prospect that includes a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a pre-defined sequence of screens presenting a second message to the prospect,

wherein the salesperson selects one of a plurality of pre-defined screens stored on the website to be included to enable the screens'"'"' access using the link,

send the email to the prospect including the link, and

display the pre-defined sequence of screens to the prospect when accessed using the link.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website enables the salesperson to send a batch of emails to prospects.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website enables the salesperson to maintain an address book of multiple prospects.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website enables the salesperson to customize the email message to a specific prospect and generate a unique website address link for the prospect.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website enables the salesperson to store a prepared email message to use with various prospects.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website enables the salesperson to preview the email message to the prospect.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website presents information to the salesperson that an email message has been sent to a specific prospect.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website stores information about a specific prospect'"'"'s viewing of the communication including identification of the specific prospect and the communication viewed by the specific prospect.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the communication permits the prospect to indicate that more information is desired and the website that shows the sequence of screens records the indication that more information is desired for the salesperson.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website sends an email to the salesperson when a specific prospect has reviewed the communication.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website sends an email to the salesperson when a specific prospect has reviewed the communication and requested additional information.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website stores communications useful to an insurance salesperson.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website stores communications useful to a lawyer selling legal services.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website stores communications useful to a restaurateur.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the website stores communications useful to a training organization to promote its training services.

16. An apparatus for aiding in a sales effort, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a machine-readable medium including instructions executable by the processor to;

access a website by a salesperson having programming and storage of multiple messages,

wherein the website permits the salesperson to select a desired message for the prospect to see,

enables the salesperson to input an identification of a prospect to be sent an email including the prospect'"'"'s email address and a message to be sent to the prospect that includes a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a sequence of problem-defining screens selected by the salesperson,

preview the email message to the prospect, and send the email to the prospect including the link,

presents information to the salesperson that an email message has been sent to the prospect,

displays the sequence of problem-defining screens to the prospect when accessed using the link, including multiple screens viewable by the prospect in sequence, provoked by the prospect, and

wherein the ending screen permits the prospect to indicate that more information is desired and records this data for the salesperson,

stores information about the prospect'"'"'s viewing of the sequence of problem-defining screens,

sends an email to the salesperson when the prospect has reviewed the sequence of problem-defining screens and requested additional information, and

enables the salesperson to maintain an address book of multiple prospects and send a batch of emails to prospects.

17. A method of marketing comprising:

contacting a prospect to inquire if the prospect would be receptive to an email pertinent to a product or service to be marketed,

sending an email to the prospect including a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a predefined sequence of problem-defining screens about a subject matter;

wherein a salesperson selects one of a plurality of the predefined sequence of problem-defining screens stored on the website to be included to enable the screens'"'"' access using the link,

when the prospect accesses the website address using the link, displaying the sequence of problem-defining screens to the prospect, and

following up the prospect'"'"'s interest in the subject matter of the sequence of problem-defining screens with a personal contact to provide further details about the product or service being marketed.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein sending includes sending a batch of emails to prospects.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising maintaining an address book of multiple prospects.

20. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein sending includes customizing the email message to a specific prospect.

21. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein sending includes sending a stored email message to the prospect.

22. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising previewing the email message before sending the email message to the prospect.

23. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising observing information that an email message has been sent to a specific prospect.

24. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein displaying includes displaying multiple screens to the prospect.

25. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein displaying includes displaying multiple screens viewable by the prospect in a predefined sequence, with progress through the sequence being provoked by the prospect.

26. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising storing information about a specific prospect'"'"'s viewing of the communication including identification of the specific prospect and the communication viewed by the specific prospect.

27. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising prompting the prospect to indicate that more information is desired and at the website, recording an indication that the prospect desires more information for the salesperson.

28. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising sending emails to the salesperson as specific prospects have reviewed at least one of the sequence of screens.

29. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising sending an email to the salesperson when the prospect has reviewed at least one of the sequence of screens and requested additional information.

30. A method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising selecting a desired set of screens for the prospect to see from multiple stored sets.

31. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein sending an email to the prospect includes sending a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a desired set of screens about a subject matter pertinent to insurance.

32. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein sending an email to the prospect includes sending a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a desired set of screens about a subject matter pertinent to legal services.

33. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein sending an email to the prospect includes sending a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a desired set of screens about a subject matter pertinent to a restaurant.

34. A method of marketing comprising:

maintaining an address book of multiple prospects,

contacting the prospects to inquire if the prospects would be receptive to an email pertinent to a product or service to be marketed,

previewing email messages, sending a batch of emails to the prospects, each email including a link to a website address configured to show the recipient prospect a selected sequence of problem-defining screens about a subject matter,

wherein a salesperson selects from a plurality of sequences stored on the website a desired sequence of problem-defining screens for each prospect to see from a plurality of stored sequences to be included to enable the sequences'"'"' access using the link,

observing information that email messages have been sent to the prospects, when the recipient prospects access the website using the link,

displaying the selected sequence of problem-defining screens to each prospect on multiple screens viewable by the prospect in sequence, provoked by the prospect,

prompting the prospect to indicate that more information is desired and recording such indications,

storing information about the prospects'"'"' interest in the subject matter of the sequence of problem-defining screens with personal contacts to provide further details about the product or service being marketed.

35. An apparatus for aiding in an insurance sales effort, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a machine-readable medium including instructions executable by the processor to;

access a website by a salesperson;

enable the salesperson to input an identification of a prospect to be sent an email including the prospect'"'"'s email address and a first message to send to the prospect that includes a link to a website address configured to show the prospect a sequence of screens presenting a second message illustrating various consequences arising from a lack of insurance coverage,

wherein the salesperson selects from the website a desired sequence of problem-defining screens for each prospect to see from a plurality of stored sequences,

send the email to the prospect including the link, and

display the sequence of screens to the prospect when accessed using the link.