Back in the day, I was able to convert 5-20% of my blog visitors into subscribers. Right now, those statistics are mind boggling and totally unrealistic. The majority of marketers use blogs to build email lists (well at least the smart ones). Anyway, we use our lists to build relationships with our readers which ultimately results in loyal followers and customers.
Lately I’ve been putting a lot of thought into how I can increase my blog opt in rates. So I spent a whole week scheming up evil plans. Before I reveal exactly how I dramatically increased my subscription rates, let me tell you the truth…
You’ll be lucky to convert 5-10% of your readers into subscribers. Ten percent is actually abnormal, but it’s perfectly achievable. Generally, most people convert less than 5% of their readers into subscribers, but using my ninja strategy you should be able to boost opt in rates dramatically.
First of all, you need to use really good opt in bait. If you don’t already know, opt in bait is generally some form of free information you offer in return for your visitor’s details. In order to build your list, you must offer high quality opt in bait. The kind of quality information you’d pay for!
The trouble is, you can’t use the same opt in bait for everyone. On this blog I get all kinds of readers. I use the same opt in bait (a free course) for everyone. I have generic biz opp seekers, Internet marketers, experienced Networkers & a ton of “make money online” guys reading my blog daily. If I could offer targeted opt in bait for all the different readers I get, I could pull off 30%+ opt in rates.
You just can’t offer the same bait to everyone as you’ll always attract random visitors. So here’s the solution, filter your visitors through multiple pages and email lists. You can’t exactly have an email list per page as that’s crazy, but I’ve found creating 3-10 different lists to be highly effective. If the majority of your blog traffic goes to your home page, filter it.
You might have 5 categories/pages on your blog. You can create a different email list for each one. Then you just create different opt in bait for the 5 different category’s of visitors you’re getting. It’s a really simple strategy, but can produce phenomenal results. A master of this strategy is CopyBlogger. The site has a navigation bar at the top with links to 7 pages.
Each page is about a different marketing strategy. There’s a ton of information on each page finished off by a free download on the subject. So instead of having 1 generic list you’ll have multiple email lists that are 10 times more targeted. It will also result in far more subscribers as you’re giving readers more options.
The next trick I’ve been using involves popups… Not everyone uses a popup as they are kind of annoying. So unless you offer irresistible ”opt in bait”, you won’t get many conversions on your popup. Here’s the truth, I get around a 2-10% conversion on my popup. I’d say on average a few percent. Those conversion rates aren’t bad at all. Then I get a 2-4% conversion on the form in my sidebar. Usually, visitors will make the decision of joining your list as soon as they see your opt in box.
They’ll make a decision for every opt in box they see. If they reject both boxes above the fold, they’ll hopefully proceed to read your article. Then at the end of the article (if it’s good) they’ll think you’re a cool guy who provides unbelievable value. At this stage you have the highest chance of getting them to opt in. (but only if your content rocks)
So you use this magical mind trick that magnetically attracts more subscribers… It’s called using a P.S. line! At the end of your posts, simply add a quick P.S. asking people to opt in. Examples?….
P.S. For more cutting edge ninja mind tricks that’ll explode your opt in rates, boost conversions and make you more money, put your name and email in the form on the right.
P.S. If you’d like to learn how to master the art of list building and email marketing, put your email in the form on the left.
Cool ehh? Well it’s so simple, but it works like crazy. You can do the same thing to increase the amount of comments you get. Just command your readers to leave comments! Ask them for their thoughts and questions and you’ll get a crap load of comments. As I’ve said a million times before, people will generally do what you tell them!
In Prosperity,
David Wood
P.S. Feel free to leave your thoughts, comments and questions in the box below… And if you’d like to learn the secrets of generating 100+ leads a day from your blog, put your email in the form in the right!
|
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Personally I’ve never been a fan of pop ups. I refuse to use them, but that’s just me
Love the tip about using the p.s. line! I’ve already been doing this to get more comments, can’t believe I never thought to use it to tell them to opt in! Guna do this on my next blog post.
Thx Bro!
I’ve always wondered how to solve the problem of multiple niches on ONE blog! The different page idea is something to look into.
I haven’t put a pop-up on my blog yet, but may look into it. Of course I don’t like them, but if they have good conversions I may bend
Great input on how to increase conversion rate! I will test a few of your ideas, and let you know my numbers!
Hi Dave,
I’ve been using the PS line after learning about it here, and must say my opt-in rates jumped.
I also did the most important thing I’ve ever done as a marketer: put forth the intent that I will do things from a place of wanting to help others, NOT doing things because I fear annoying people.
Hands down, getting past the fear of annoying people is the biggest block marketers face. It’s a deeply-seated fear of criticism which sticks around and has to be addressed hour after hour, if you want to be successful in this game.
I’ve used pop ups for months, and will use them forever. My rates continue to increase, because I know I offer a value-based, inspirational newsletter. So if somebody is annoyed by my pop up, they are simply impatient, and refuse to see value when it hits them, so we are not a match. I release them, and make room for people who don’t mind take 2 seconds to either enter their email address of press the “X”.
Thanks for sharing your insight Dave.
RB
Very Good Post David I Learn A Lot.
Hi David
Good post. I have a good number of people visiting my blog. And people like what I write, as I help them to Live the Life of their Dreams. But I have a lot to learn about conversion. Which I need to do so I can help more.
Live in the moment it’s a present,
Love greatly & unconditionly
Laugh at challenges, funny things and self.
Bruce
PS. Loved the PS will be using that to help people to Live the Life of their Dreams