The Winning Way

Good Morning!
I Have Been Thinking

Question: Why is nobody signing up for my newsletter? I know
that’s where the money is, but I just can’t get anyone to sign
up. What can I do?

Signed – Yoo hoo… Anyone there?

Dear Yoo hoo… Anyone there?
Please don’t feel badly. I actually get this question a lot in
my consulting business. It’s a very common problem and,
fortunately, one that you can start improving today.

Here is the short version of the checklist I go through with
clients when examining ways to fix this problem.

1. Where do I sign up?
The first thing I do when I’m helping a client is to play the
game called “Where’s the signup box?” If it takes me more than
half a second to find the newsletter signup form, then we’ve
got work to do.

Your signup box should not be a challenge to find. If it is,
it’s defeating the purpose. So, put it front and center in the
top third of your page. It’s not even a bad thing if you have
it on your page … gasp… twice.

Also, most people have pop-up blockers now, so don’t rely on a
pop-up to get you a parade of traffic. Pop-ups and pop-unders
are great, but they can’t be the only ways to get people on
your list.

2. What am I signing up for?
The next thing I check is the copy in the signup box. If your
best sales pitch is “Sign up for my mailing list” or “Sign up
for our newsletter” – then forget about it!

It used to be years ago that’s all you needed to say, but now
people need a little more explanation and encouragement. Will
you be providing tips, ideas, freebies, coupons, resources or
advice? Let me know what I’m getting into before I’ll hand over
my email address…. And it better be good.

3. Why should I sign up?
A little bribery can go a long ways. Will I get a bonus for
signing up? Do you have a special report or a freebie for me?
No? Well, get to work. There’s a lot of competition out there,
so don’t be afraid to offer a little extra to your visitors.

4. How do I sign up?
The last item on my checklist is the sign-up procedure. If
you’re using a service that makes me jump through too many
hoops, then I’ll probably give up and move on to something
else. Yes, double opt-in is good, but programs that make you
join and jump too many times are just ridiculous.

Plus, if you’re asking for too much information (like my
telephone number), I’ll likely pass. There’s no email list
worth me getting phone calls during dinner. It doesn’t matter
how good your mailing list is.

So, there you have it. Start with this quick checklist to see
immediate improvement in your sign-ups. As far as getting
traffic to your site to see your signup box – that’s another
article in the making.

About The Author: Nicole Dean is the owner of
http://www.showmomthemoney.com/newsletter-advice.htm where
you’ll find more tips to grow your mailing list, including ways
to get more traffic to your site. . If you need enticements
(bribes) to get people to your list, grab some free e-books
here http://www.free-ebooksonline.com

Opportunity is never lost
It goes To Those Ready to Accept It!

Carolyn

Ice Breakers

Cop With a Collar

A young clergyman, fresh out of seminary, thought it would help him better understand the fears and temptations his future congregations faced if he first took a job as a policeman for several months.

He passed the physical examination; then came the oral exam to test his ability to act quickly and wisely in an emergency. Among other questions

he was asked, “What would you do to disperse a frenzied crowd?”

He thought for a moment and then said, “I would take up a collection.”

Thought for Today:

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
William James

Tips and Techniques

I have to be honest with you, I don’t always check out the guest author’s website but I always print articles that I agree with or that follow the same vein that I teach in. This time I was curious because this article is very good and I found the tips helpful. This site is worth visiting.

Happy designing!