How to write an 'early bird' squeeze page?

[AshleyAA]

I have a quick question for you expert squeeze page copywriters ...

How does the overall theme or 'offer' change when you are writing a squeeze page for people to opt-in just to be notified when a product goes live or is ready?

I was looking at Tellmans squeeze page templates that he offers, I thought I might as well try them, test them as see what happens, after all they say that one of them gets 65% opt-in rates, but I noticed that they are kind of tailored to getting people into your funnel and not just on a 'list'.


I dont have anything to give away yet, so I cant offer anything for opting in, but I thought I might as well start collecting emails, even if it is only a few while I get everything ready.

This is my first time writing a squeeze page so any input would help.

I guess I am kind of asking how to write an 'early bird' notification squeeze page.

Thanks
Ashley

[Chris_Custer]

The thing is you're going to have to offer something, even if you don't have anything. Obviously you could go the reprint route or something lame like that.

What I would do is maybe offer a "skeleton" of what you're going to be rolling out. And you'll throw in a special unique bonus for early birders only, once your give-away is complete.

The skeleton can be your outline, an mp3 raw recording, something like that. Then you can solicit feedback from those that sign-up. They kinda get in on the development stage.

It's a different take, but if you position it right, it should get you some sign-ups.

The other thing you could do by this weekend is interview someone and give away the recording. Or do both.

Hope that helps.

[ryanmberg]

Hi Ashley,

I think the key here is to build up people's curiosity.

Don't reveal the exact details of the product, but instead tease people about all the unique aspects of it and the benefits they'll soon be able to enjoy from it.

You can tease them with...

- An incomplete story. "I developed this new tool after stumbling upon an unusual web site that totally changed my perspective on X topic. I'll reveal the web site and the revelation that has resulted in Y benefit in the days ahead."

- An incomplete feature. "This new tool helps you increase traffic in 5 powerful ways... including one way that works like gangbusters but NO one is using yet."

- Proof. "I've showed the half done product to X respected authority and am already getting rave reviews"... "X study shows Y results about Z approach... and I've put an even more powerful twist on that approach"

- An odd question. "What do elephants have to do with developing an impenetrable immune system and adding 12 years to your lifespan? The answer will surprise you!"

You want to get them thinking "Wow! I would love to get those benefits. I wonder how she's going to deliver them?"

Look for the unique, quirky, exciting elements of your product and use them to tease.

Then, I'd continue to build excitement and curiosity by following up with the list.... giving away a few details here and there and teasing them more until you're ready to announce the launch.

Hope that helps!

Ryan

P.S. I have a report on my site that talks specifically about building early bird lists. I can't post links because my account is new, but you can click the link below in my sig and go to the articles section of my site. It's the "7 steps" PDF under the reports header on that page.

[Daniel Scott]

Ashley,

You need an angle... a reason people should opt in.

Usually that's a "don't miss out" thing backed by scarcity... then you email your list regularly to build buzz about it (a la Frank Kern/Jeff Walker).

It's much harder to do if you're not a "name" in whatever biz you're in... you need to come up wit ha unique angle that makes people want your stuff.

Then you put in a headline, a sign-up box, maybe a few bullets on what this "secret" contains.

-Dan

[ryanmberg]

Hi Ashley,

The advice I gave above would work best if you were telling people on an existing list you have or your blog.... a group you already have a relationship with. Which I'm thinking after re-reading your post you don't have yet.

In which case, Daniel and Chris are right. You really need to have some kind of give away if you're promoting through PPC, articles, etc. to entice people to sign-up. It doesn't have to be fancy... could just be an email course where you write up some tips in a few emails. Or a few short audio clips.

Ryan

[AshleyAA]

Hey thanks for all the advice. I think I can see where I need to go with this from what you 3 said.

Yeah I dont have a list at all. I just wanted to put up a opt in box, because I might as well while I am working on the actual course. I figure even if I just get a few it will be more than I had in the first place.

I am thinking I can come up with something to giveaway. I like the idea about the "skeleton" version of what I plan to do. If I understand correctly, you mean to give a stripped down, useful but incomplete (as frank says) version of what I might offer.

I think that is a great Idea.

@ryanmberg Thanks, I downloaded your report and I am going to read it tonight. I skimmed it and it looks really useful.

I am trying to gather as much info as possible so I can really knock this one out of the park.

My mother always says "If a job is worth doing, its worth doing well" (So I always ask here first!)

Thanks again
Ashley

Originally Posted by Daniel Scott

Ashley,

You need an angle... a reason people should opt in.

Usually that's a "don't miss out" thing backed by scarcity... then you email your list regularly to build buzz about it (a la Frank Kern/Jeff Walker).

It's much harder to do if you're not a "name" in whatever biz you're in... you need to come up wit ha unique angle that makes people want your stuff.

Then you put in a headline, a sign-up box, maybe a few bullets on what this "secret" contains.

-Dan

Originally Posted by ryanmberg

Hi Ashley,

I think the key here is to build up people's curiosity.

Don't reveal the exact details of the product, but instead tease people about all the unique aspects of it and the benefits they'll soon be able to enjoy from it.

You can tease them with...

- An incomplete story. "I developed this new tool after stumbling upon an unusual web site that totally changed my perspective on X topic. I'll reveal the web site and the revelation that has resulted in Y benefit in the days ahead."

- An incomplete feature. "This new tool helps you increase traffic in 5 powerful ways... including one way that works like gangbusters but NO one is using yet."

- Proof. "I've showed the half done product to X respected authority and am already getting rave reviews"... "X study shows Y results about Z approach... and I've put an even more powerful twist on that approach"

- An odd question. "What do elephants have to do with developing an impenetrable immune system and adding 12 years to your lifespan? The answer will surprise you!"

You want to get them thinking "Wow! I would love to get those benefits. I wonder how she's going to deliver them?"

Look for the unique, quirky, exciting elements of your product and use them to tease.

Then, I'd continue to build excitement and curiosity by following up with the list.... giving away a few details here and there and teasing them more until you're ready to announce the launch.

Hope that helps!

Ryan

P.S. I have a report on my site that talks specifically about building early bird lists. I can't post links because my account is new, but you can click the link below in my sig and go to the articles section of my site. It's the "7 steps" PDF under the reports header on that page.

Originally Posted by Chris_Custer

The thing is you're going to have to offer something, even if you don't have anything. Obviously you could go the reprint route or something lame like that.

What I would do is maybe offer a "skeleton" of what you're going to be rolling out. And you'll throw in a special unique bonus for early birders only, once your give-away is complete.

The skeleton can be your outline, an mp3 raw recording, something like that. Then you can solicit feedback from those that sign-up. They kinda get in on the development stage.

It's a different take, but if you position it right, it should get you some sign-ups.

The other thing you could do by this weekend is interview someone and give away the recording. Or do both.

Hope that helps.

[Craigd]

Great Question..I really got a lot out of this, I am pretty much in the same boat.

For your give away you could get a PLR and re-write it to your style offer it a sneak peak, or Newsletter, or even a short video