| Remember that when you have new visitors at | | | | The problem is, many people value their privacy |
| your website, your #1 goal is to get them on | | | | and are hesitant to give you their full name. For |
| your ezine list! That way you have permission to | | | | this reason, just ask for their FIRST name. It's |
| contact them again and again, educating them | | | | been proven that you'll get MORE names from |
| about your helpful services and products that | | | | people if you only ask for the first name. (And |
| they came to learn more about. | | | | their first name is generally all you'll need anyway.) |
| But you can't just put up a link that says "free | | | | 4) A Field to Enter Their Primary EMAIL |
| newsletter". No one cares! You need to carefully | | | | ADDRESS. |
| craft an opt-in box that works like a big net, | | | | Many people have a backup or personal e-mail |
| catching the exact type of "fish" you want as | | | | address that they use just for receiving |
| your ideal clients and customers. | | | | newsletters and promotions. The problem is they |
| Also remember, don't hide your box at the | | | | are often from free e-mail services like Yahoo or |
| bottom of your web pages. Right now, most | | | | Hotmail. These services filter e-mail like crazy, and |
| testing shows that the best place for your opt-in | | | | their mailboxes fill up quickly, so there's a good |
| box is the upper right corner… loud and | | | | chance your e-mails won't even reach these |
| proud! | | | | recipients. |
| Here are six simple things you should have in your | | | | The solution is, simply ask for their primary e-mail. |
| opt-in box that will help you get more signups | | | | It's amazing, but simply ASKING them to enter |
| than ever before. | | | | their primary e-mail will get you more quality |
| 1) An Attention-Getting HEADLINE | | | | e-mails on your list! (You'll also get less |
| Remember that online readers SKIM copy - they | | | | bounce-backs from undeliverable e-mails. If you |
| don't read it word for word. So the headline in | | | | get too many of those, it raises a red flag to |
| your opt-in box may be the ONLY thing they | | | | some spam filter programs.) |
| read, which determines whether they sign up or | | | | 5) A BUTTON That Says "Subscribe" or "Sign Me |
| not. So don't waste this space saying something | | | | Up Now" |
| like "Free Newsletter" or even worse… | | | | Make it very clear what they should click on to |
| "Sign up for our mailing list." Ugh! Instead, tell me | | | | activate their subscription once they type in their |
| the MOST exciting thing your ezine will give me! | | | | name and email. Don't use something confusing |
| Examples: | | | | like a link that says "submit form". |
| "Are You Ready to Blast Off Your SALES This | | | | 6) Your PRIVACY POLICY, right then and there. |
| Year?" | | | | Everyone's scared to receive more spam these |
| "FINALLY: Learn How to Keep That Weight Off | | | | days, so put your prospects at ease. Don't make |
| For Good" | | | | them wonder what you're going to do with their |
| "Insider Secrets to Writing Novels for Big Bucks" | | | | e-mail addresses. State right next to or below |
| 2) A Raving Description of Your Ezine | | | | your opt-in form what your policy is. Mine is, "We |
| Work hard at putting together a description of | | | | will never sell, rent, trade, or share your e-mail |
| your ezine that gets prospects excited to sign up! | | | | with any other organization." (Feel free to use |
| Remember they're tuned into station WIIFM | | | | that yourself.) DON'T make people click on a link |
| ("What's In It For ME?"). Tell them what your | | | | to read your privacy policy - it looks like you have |
| information is going to DO for them as well as | | | | something to hide. In fact, in some U.S. states, it's |
| everything they GET. Examples: How-to articles, | | | | now required that you state your privacy policy |
| quick and easy tips, free resources, insider | | | | right at the point of opt-in, so it's a good idea no |
| secrets. Aim for your description to be between | | | | matter where you do business. |
| 15 and 30 words. | | | | Want to See a Sample of This in Action? |
| 3) A Field to Enter Their FIRST NAME. | | | | If you'd like to see many of these components in |
| Getting people's names along with their e-mails | | | | action, see my pop-under box at |
| allows you to personalize your ezine for them. For | | | | And if you'd like MORE step-by-step instructions |
| example, if I was on your list, your e-mail would | | | | on how to get more signups at your website (and |
| come to me saying, "Dear Ali…" The | | | | beyond) and build your list bigger than ever |
| subject line could even say, "Ali, here's your free | | | | before, see my SPECIAL REPORT: "101 Simple, |
| tip". Why do you want to do this? Studies prove | | | | FREE and Low-Cost Ways to Quickly Build a |
| that having the recipient's name in the subject line | | | | Massive EMAIL LIST", which you can learn more |
| of your e-mails can increase your open rates by | | | | about here. |
| 60%! | | | | |