My opt in page sucks! But, I know you can help me fix it.

[jeepsterryan]

So I know this needs help and I want some advice from the experts. I'll give you the link, but don't waste time telling me it won't work because I already know it doesn't because of the dismal opt in rate. Here is the link - it is bit.ly link so that google doesn't index the post where I talk about how bad my optin is: http://bit.ly/4HDPq5

So, here are the questions:

1. Free workout every month is just not cutting it (about 6% opt in rate). What title would you give the offer?
2. I loved the slide up ad when I saw it on another page. Not so happy about it now. But, it could just be the bad title. Keep the slide up or lose it?
3. Should I combine the slide up with an static opt-in box somewhere on the page?
4. Or, should I take the optin off the home page (where most of the traffic lands) and replace it with a link to a squeeze page?

Basically, I am a rookie and I need some help from some non rookies. Seems like a free workout should be a pretty easy way to build a list!

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Technista]

I clicked the link but the page didn't load.

[jeepsterryan]

I apologize. I put a link to file not to the page I wanted you to see. Here is the correct URL Affordable Workout DVD and Exercise Videos - Lose Weight and Feel Great -- sorry!

[ghyphena]

Well... a small part of the problem might be that it's not an opt-in page.

It's a catalogue page with a floating opt-in form at the bottom. No wonder conversions are so low. You're splitting their attention between all your different catalogue offers.... you other yoga/pilates/whatever material... and the opt-in form.

My advice: sell one thing at a time. This applies first to the opt-in... then to the beginner program... then your advanced programs... then expand to related niches like yoga.

I think the offer is good, and you provide value up front with free workout videos - don't be afraid to qualify your prospects with an opt-in page.

Alternatively, you can set up an opt-in page with a streaming video of one full workout, and then say "to get one of these every month, enter your details" or something to that effect. That way you'll be providing value before you even ask for their e-mail address. Something to think about.

Also, I would think about what to do with all the fringe niches - core strength, yoga, etc. You might (and this could be a really bad idea) want to test having an opt-in page with a set of links at the bottom to each "fringe" niche.

I only suggest this because I saw one category that caught my interest, and immediately clicked to see what you were offering. Others might do the same - and you could end up with all the benefits of an opt-in page without losing too many prospects for your fringe niches. Again, something to think about.

Hope this helps.

Gil-Ad

[Daniel Rickfold]

here are my suggestions
first of all, your design sucks, no offense

secondly, the first time I saw the opt-in box I didn't even see it actually, it was just something that was BOTHERING MY EYES

get rid of the white stripes in the banner and in the optin

+ you are using too many colors... way too many
white, black, gray, green, blue, pink, red....

because of the stripes the text on your optin box in UNREADABLE

also your logo makes your site look like a martial arts site!

My suggestion
get rid of the stripes
probably get rid of the glossy thing on the optin or make it really faded
and just use a dark gray (maybe a faded grandient) with that green for the optin box
fix your banner
remove some of the colors, stick to 2 or 3 colors for text, graphics, background, covers, etc!

make the optin box smaller, it's huge, on my laptop screen it's like 1/4 of the size

[KristiDaniels]

1. Get it under test so you can make sure each suggestion you implement really does help.

2. Grey has never really been shown to increase anything positive. Try blue, black, red and other action colors. Every niche seems to have their own best colors, but grey isn't in any of them.

3. Use a squeeze page instead of an annoying bottom pop that will kill both your order rate and your opt-in rate.

4. A "workout every month" is pretty vague and not tangible. It also kills urgency since it is only every month. Change the offer to a free report they can download right now or a multi-part mini-training series delivered daily for a week or two.

[AndrewStark]

A 6% conversion rate for an annoying bottom opt-in is actually not bad.

If you want to make it even better I would try to improve the quality of your gift, could you put a 10-15 minute workout online that you could give away?

Also I would go and hire a designer to do a complete overall of the site. With this sort of blog / catalogue site I would get the opt-in box top right - as per the RSS position on top blogs. This means reducing the width of the header, but as per the other people it would probably be best having a smaller logo so it doesn't dominate the pages.

The other alternative is to create a separate squeezepage with the sole aim of leadcapture, and link to it via an exit pop or similar.

Hope this helps you.

[jbode]

Yes, 6% optin for a slide up is about standard...

The main thing I'm seeing is that... your slide up doesn't stand out (grab their attention)
-make the slide up background a light color
-make the headline specific (and easily readable)
-give specific instructions ex. 'enter your name and email below and click join now'

[Ken_Caudill]

Sometimes, less is more. Tell them what they get, why they should get it; then tell them how they can get it.

Then shut up.

[jeepsterryan]

Thanks for the input. Now I have a million questions and most of them aren't even copy writing. But, I need to do some reading on the forum before I ask them. However, from a copy writing standpoint, let's focus on a headline for starters.

Let's assume that I change my offer to one free workout. We have one workout that we put on Youtube last year and it went crazy (150K views - currently gets about 500/day!). the workout is 30 minutes long (only 10 min of it is on YT), Kickboxing, and available in HD, taught by an intructor who just had a baby 6 weeks before). What headline would you put at the top of the squeeze page?

I think one of the hardest parts about this is that the traffic I get right now is very diverse - Instructors looking for choreography for their classes, women looking to start a workout routine at home, and women who currently exercise at home that need new content to fight the boredom.

[KristiDaniels]

Not to be a "thanks" whore or anthing, but... did you give thanks to anyone who helped you out in this thread?

[Buhry]

Place your opt-in form above the fold, static on the page. I think that will help you. Ditch the header graphic and replace it with a compelling headline, or at least make it smaller, it's sucking up like 50% of the screen upon page load. At least use some kind of compelling headline, you don't have one.

Instead of using the graphic at the bottom, use an unblockable pop up with an opt-in form that pops up upon page load. Make it compelling and that should give you a lot more than 6% opt ins. Split test some different creatives.. make sure you use a strong call to action.

(You could probably also increase opt-ins by split testing the design of your bottom ad thingy. I'd test black text on a white background and make the ''Get a FREE workout every month'' red or something. Your current graphic is not easily readable. The free part is hard to see. make it stand out more.
You should also create a stronger and more specific call to action I think. Be more specific about what you want them to do and how to do it)

Also I'm not sure about the whole grey/blue/green theme of the site dude... It's kind of meh and makes me want to close my browser, no offense.

Also, you should maybe use an exit pop, or at least test it and see if it helps your page.

About the copywriting consider this. Who are your customers? Like, who is your ideal customer? Then think about why your ideal customer would want to get your product or video or whatever. Why should they get this, from a consumers point of view? Then try to sell them on the benefit that would seem the most compelling to your target customer.

[jeepsterryan]

Krisit,

Not to sound like a rookie, but is there something more I should do than start my post out with the word "thanks"?

[The Copy Nazi]

Originally Posted by jeepsterryan

Krisit,

Not to sound like a rookie, but is there something more I should do than start my post out with the word "thanks"?

Hit the "thanks" button bottom right when you appreciate a particular post - or thank the lot of them. Up to you.

[jeepsterryan]

Thanks have now been properly awarded (as well as deserved)!

[mizesean]

Honestly, I would switch to a strict squeeze page as your primary landing page, then once someone subscribes, send them to your current landing page.

In my system, the lead is worth so much more than the sales that come from an initial landing page that doesn't primarily focus on getting leads.

[jeepsterryan]

Sean, help me understand the process more clearly. If I understand you:

1. Squeeze page Offering my free workout - (probably many squeeze pages optimized for keywords relating to a certain genre of workout video I.E. Yoga)

Then, once they subscribe where to they go? Thank you page and a link (maybe a discount code for checkout) or straight to the home page of the site? If they do not want to subscribe do I give them an option to just click through to buy or is the squeeze page the qualifier?

I really want you guys to know that I am grateful for this input. The wheels are spinning and I'm starting to "get it".