The low down on squeeze pages.

I like simple squeeze pages that spell out what exactly you will get. A long sales pitch just makes me not want to read it. Then again, I have ADD =)

The sole purpose of your squeeze page should be to collect email addresses. That means no links taking people off of the page to get the best conversions.

You could offer a Clickbank or other related affiliated offer on the backend. When your ebook is finished, hopefully you would have also provided enough quality content for free that your list gobbles up the offer for your ebook.

Personally, I do like to have my product completed before launching the related squeeze page, but utilizing a PLR or Clickbank product before starting/completing your ebook is a good way to test the market and your sales funnel.

You should give a strong headline to grab the visitor's attention on your squeeze page followed by a few bullets and a call to action. The only way to know what works best with squeeze pages is to test and tweak. I have personally found that shorter squeeze pages with opt-in boxes above the fold tend to work the best.

A squeeze page can be thought of as a funnel

Get the email, without leaving the page

Show the problem
Show the solution
Show why they should buy from you
Show why they should buy now

A link is like a leak in the funnel

Rick

A squeeze page can be thought of as a funnel

Get the email, without leaving the page

Show the problem
Show the solution
Show why they should buy from you
Show why they should buy now

A link is like a leak in the funnel

Rick

You could also consider sending out text from the book to an autoresponder as you're writing it... (Book section drafts as articles...) Cory Doctorow has done that while working on various fiction projects, and you could promote the book and drum up interest -- while gathering feedback that helps you improve and refine the end product.

From what I've learned I agree that the squeeze page is just to collect names and emails. I agree having another link will distract them. We are just so 'clickable'. HA

Hey Chad,

Here's my $0.02 on your questions:

Definitely go with the squeeze page on the main domain, with the sole purpose being to collect names and emails for your list.

In fact, I'd have the squeeze page on a separate domain from anything else you have. I'm going through List Control by Frank Kern and Trey Smith and they argue that if your squeeze page is on the root of the domain (just the ".com"), then it's better to separate the domain with your squeeze page and the one with your blog, in the event you want to run PPC traffic to either or try to rank for keywords (so instead of "squeezepage.com/blog, have "squeezepage.com" for your squeeze page, and "blogwebsite.com" for the blog/content hub). The two really don't mesh, as the squeeze page as a root domain could lower your quality score with Adwords, etc.

Just a suggestion though.

I'd definitely say start building your list. As of now, if you're writing an ebook on a niche, I'd assume you're very knowledgeable on that topic and know kind of content people are looking for in it.

Given that, I'd take the 2 best chapters out of your ebook and give one away to your subscribers when they opt in, and the second one away either 3-5 days after they opt in (automated with the autoresponder).

That will ensure a high opt-in rate on the front end, and will serve 2 other primary purposes:

1. It will immediately foster goodwill with the list since the content is going to be very high-quality, valuable information you're giving them for free. And you're giving them TWO chapters.
2. It will also serve as a precursor to buying your actual ebook, which they now have part of. This is incredible powerful from a marketing perspective since by just giving them the first two chapters (or 2 chapters, period), you're starting them along the path of reading your ebook, so one major thing is going to hit them: the need for closure. They've already started reading your ebook, so subconsciously they must like the ebook and to NOT buy it and finish it would be incongruous with their actions (which so far have been to read part of it).
   
   (This is some heavy Dr. Cialdini stuff haha, he's so awesome )

That's a little deep, but very simple in implementing. Just give them the two best chapters; one right when they sign up, the other 3-5 days later.

As with the other responses, just include a...

• headline
• some benefit-oriented bullet points (tell them what they'll get get/feel/be as a result of reading the content, not just what the content includes)
• call to action, and
• an opt-in form to collect the names/emails

That's it man. Maybe a little much, but cool stuff nonetheless. I've seen one particular author have some success doing something fairly different and interesting with his sales funnel, which I can definitely tell you about if you'd want to know. PM me if you're stuck or need help, or Skype me

Hope that helps,
-Tom

PS- Darren, that squeeze page kicks some royal a**.. I've never seen anything so creative, with a totally authentic and ridiculously awesome USP ever. Period. And pro graphics to boot