Internet-based sales aid
First Claim
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 salespersonthe 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, anddisplay the pre-defined sequence of screens to the prospect when accessed using the link.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
17 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sending a link in an email, the apparatus comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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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.
- a processor;
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17. A method of marketing comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of marketing comprising:
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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.
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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.
- a processor;
Specification