Gift to my list for opting in?

15 replies
Hi guys

I am in the midst of starting a authority self developement site. For the first 4-8 months I am going to focus solely on Seo, and traffic generation.

For this same reason I am going to set up and optin list and start building it.


I have thought about creating a 2 hour audio product as a gift people get when opting in, what are your thoughts on this? Should I just go for offering regular newsletters or would it be more enticing to offer an audio product due to the higher percieved value?
#gift #list #opting
  • Profile picture of the author Paleochora
    Do you mean that you will be providing a regular podcast rather than a newsletter or are you just planning on using the audio as 'list bait'?

    It would be a great encouragement for people to subscribe to your newsletter if it were to be offered as a joining gift.

    One thing I would suggest - show as well as tell - whatever you are talking about - especially the subject matter you are dealing with - use a screen recorder and make your audio into a video. You could demonstrate processes 'over your shoulder' and mix that with some powerpoint visuals. That way you have increased the perceived value one bump up from an audio file.

    Secondly, whether audio or video, break the 2 hours into eight 15 minute modules and set them in your autoresponder. Stagger the sending over 14 days after the initial first mail. This way your subscribers look forward to those e-mails and get used to opening your mails as a matter of course.
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    • Profile picture of the author NateRivers
      Originally Posted by Paleochora View Post

      Do you mean that you will be providing a regular podcast rather than a newsletter or are you just planning on using the audio as 'list bait'?

      It would be a great encouragement for people to subscribe to your newsletter if it were to be offered as a joining gift.

      One thing I would suggest - show as well as tell - whatever you are talking about - especially the subject matter you are dealing with - use a screen recorder and make your audio into a video. You could demonstrate processes 'over your shoulder' and mix that with some powerpoint visuals. That way you have increased the perceived value one bump up from an audio file.

      Secondly, whether audio or video, break the 2 hours into eight 15 minute modules and set them in your autoresponder. Stagger the sending over 14 days after the initial first mail. This way your subscribers look forward to those e-mails and get used to opening your mails as a matter of course.

      Solid advice. With keynote in mac I can make a simple slideshow of every article I write, record me talking over the presentation, send it right to youtube, then send just the audio to garageband and then publish it as a podcast.
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  • Profile picture of the author Undercovercash
    Wow Nice tips There. Thx alot.

    Yes I meant to use it as a link bait.

    Btw, do you think it would be stupid to not try to monetize the list for the first couple of months and just focus on giving a lot of value?

    I am thinking about doing a huge launch after a couple of months when I have established myself.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      Originally Posted by Undercovercash View Post

      Btw, do you think it would be stupid to not try to monetize the list for the first couple of months and just focus on giving a lot of value?
      If you don't present offers to your list from the get-go
      you can end up conditioning your list to expect to receive
      useful information for free.

      If you come out with some paid offers months later, you
      may find that some people on your list get all bent of
      shape because - shock, horror - you're trying to sell them
      something.

      You can of course deliver just valuable content for months
      and then try to sell them stuff later - I just wouldn't
      recommend it.

      Give your list great content but present them with offers
      to buy solutions that solve their problems from the start.

      You want to turn subscribers into buyers asap as the
      interest level of your subscriber usually drops off over
      time.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
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      .

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      • Profile picture of the author magman01
        Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

        If you don't present offers to your list from the get-go
        you can end up conditioning your list to expect to receive
        useful information for free.

        If you come out with some paid offers months later, you
        may find that some people on your list get all bent of
        shape because - shock, horror - you're trying to sell them
        something.

        You can of course deliver just valuable content for months
        and then try to sell them stuff later - I just wouldn't
        recommend it.

        Give your list great content but present them with offers
        to buy solutions that solve their problems from the start.

        You want to turn subscribers into buyers asap as the
        interest level of your subscriber usually drops off over
        time.

        Dedicated to mutual success,

        Shaun
        I know I get frustrated if I'm interested in more and there is no offer. And I agree, if you make me wait I tend to lose interest over time.

        I understand those that say to wait, but you may be leaving dollars on the table.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paleochora
      Originally Posted by Undercovercash View Post

      Btw, do you think it would be stupid to not try to monetize the list for the first couple of months and just focus on giving a lot of value?
      I agree with a previous poster where he said not to leave it too long before adding an offer.

      You are building a relationship with this list. People are more comfortable being in a relationship which is consistent, dependable, reliable and, to a large extent, predictable.
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  • Profile picture of the author entry
    Originally Posted by Undercovercash View Post

    Re: Gift to my list for opting in?
    Offer them a slap.They wont be expecting that lol

    i would go with the ebook which is a good simple item to make, using PDF creators
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    I Have to say a Massive...THANK YOU to every Warrior who has helped me, and thanks to every warrior who helps me in the future...
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  • Profile picture of the author RossChops
    Podcasts are one of those things that people absolutely love so I would definitely go with that! Newsletters can often get lost in peoples inboxes whereas pod casts can be loaded onto peoples phones and then re-visited over an over again
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  • Profile picture of the author bilzz
    [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    Think of it a bribe instead of a gift.

    Then you'll be more motivated to offer something of value
    that won't have your prospects rolling their eyes at your
    request that they invest their time and attention in YOU!

    If you want to pump up the perceived value, make a physical
    product and mail it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Igor Kheifets
    Your only efficient option to build your list
    is to bribe your prospects to signing up.

    So, whether it's a 2 hour audio, a free ebook
    or a 30 minute free 1 on 1 coaching call...

    As long as it's free - it'll do.

    Igor
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  • Profile picture of the author iansinfo
    Offering a freebie to entice them to sign up is the way to go. A 2 hour audio is way too much. A 4 or 5 page PDF should be enough to get them on your list
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    • Profile picture of the author patadeperro
      Originally Posted by iansinfo View Post

      Offering a freebie to entice them to sign up is the way to go. A 2 hour audio is way too much. A 4 or 5 page PDF should be enough to get them on your list
      Or you can test the offers, to see what converts better,

      example the fist 100 you gave the free audio, the other 100
      you gave them the transcription of the audio and the next 100
      you gave them the video and you can see how your traffic convert
      best, but definitely give them something as a "bait" to sign for your
      newsletter otherwise why should they sign for it?

      Hope it helps
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  • Profile picture of the author haymanpl
    A free downloadable ebook, audio or video would work well
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