Internet Marketing - Big Bang Theories on Getting Opt-Ins Now
If you're just starting out with Internet Marketing, you probably don't know where to begin when creating your first list building page. Tracking and testing of whatever page you create is important, and you should start doing those things right away. But before you begin, you really have no stats to base your business on, so you may find it useful to use the stats of others. MarketingExperiments.com is one place to find them.
A little more than 3 years ago, MarketingExperiments.com conducted a study on subscription rates. They based their findings on many different variables, and though the tests are old, the principles still apply. I'd like to share some of the results with you here, as they apply to list building, but you can see the entire report at http://tinyurl.com/2ymexr:
1) Be sure your value proposition is prominent.
A value proposition tells your potential subscriber what's in it for them. The value proposition gives the primary benefit a person will get from joining your list. For instance, what if your niche is bowling? If you can tell people how to increase their scores 20% just by using a special technique via a special report that people can sign up for on your list building page, do you think avid bowlers would bite? No doubt. Especially if the report you give them is free. This value proposition should be your headline.
2) Make signing up quick and easy
When you design your list building page, it's smart to stick to basics. Use a headline 3 to 5 bullet points and an opt-in box. That's really all you need. Let people know why they're signing up, what they'll get for doing it, and then, make the process as simple as possible. Don't make them fill out a lengthy form for your free report, just ask for a name (even first name) and an email address. You can get more information from people who join your list later on, when they become customers and actually buy your product.
3) Make sure they realize they're secure
Just below the opt-in box on your list building page should be a statement of privacy, such as "We will never rent, sell, or otherwise distribute your information to anyone for any reason." Though it's true that everyone can put such a statements on their websites and not mean it, just having it there increases the public's security level and may help them to make the decision to opt-in to your list.
4) Assure them of a low-risk factor.
Letting people know that they can unsubscribe at any time often boosts your opt-in rate. Sometimes, they just realize how much mail they have coming in, and shy away. But if you let them know that they can always unsubscribe without issue, they'll be more likely to join your list.
5) Make your list building page the top of your sales funnel.
Regardless of what it is you're selling, you'll want to get your customer into a "funnel" that leads to the ultimate purchase. Your thank you page or the redirect after signing up should be to the product you're trying to sell. So, let's say someone signs up to get a free report on colored widgets. I'm trying to sell the ultimate multi-colored widget that everyone wants. OK, so I give them the free report that advertises my muti-colored widget throughout and my redirect offers them my multi-colored widget sales page. Maybe the customer doesn't buy the first time they see it. That's OK. You can include a series of messages in your autoresponder series, giving more information about why people should buy your multi-colored widget with a link to your sales page. Keep giving people more and more information about your niche and keep selling them on your product.
List building and conversion will see a boost if you incorporate these ideas into your list building pages. Just remember that your customer's question, "What's in it for me?" should always be at the top of your mind. If you can show them what's in it for them, if you help them solve their problems, you'll not only have a valuable list member, but you'll have a customer for life.
Tellman Knudson, Internet Marketing master, is CEO of Overcome Everything, Inc. Get your Free list building CD and a free trial of Tellman's List Building Club when you visit http://listbuildingpower.net
