12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Opt-in forms - would it be better before or after an offering?

by Amry
10 replies
Hi Warriors,

For opt-in forms, would it be better to have it before someone download an offering, or after they download it?

The exact scenario I had in mind is for a software offering. I'm building my own software. I'm thinking of two options for the opt-in:
  • Should I have an opt-in before giving access to the software download?
  • Or should I have them opt-in after they download and start using the software?

Which one do you think would be the better option? Please do also vote your answer in the poll above. Thanks!

Edit: To clarify on how I'm going to have the user opt-in after they download and start using the software, basically what I had in mind is something like a "Please register to activate the software" kind of thing. So the user will still need to opt in after receiving the software, in order to be able to start using it.
#forms #offering #optin #poll #software
  • Profile picture of the author Dash Evra
    Most people wouldn't see the need of opting in after receiving the software
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629113].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Amry
      Originally Posted by Dash Evra View Post

      Most people wouldn't see the need of opting in after receiving the software
      Thanks for the reply Dash. What I had in mind is something like "Please register to activate the software" kind of thing. So in that way, the user still needs to opt in after receiving the software, but before being able to actually start using it.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629133].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author myob
        I have never sold software, but what I have found in general to be particularly effective in building a list is to have the buyer optin after making the purchase for updates and additional specials. A buyer tends to be the most receptive to opting in after the purchase, in addition to upgrades, cross-sells and one time offers.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629145].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Amry
          Originally Posted by myob View Post

          I have never sold software, but what I have found in general to be particularly effective in building a list is to have the buyer optin after making the purchase for updates and additional specials. A buyer tends to be the most receptive to opting in after the purchase, in addition to upgrades, cross-sells and one time offers.
          Thank you for your opinion Paul. Let's say if I were to give a free software for list building purpose. Would the same still apply, as in would the one downloading still be most receptive to opting in after downloading the software? Or maybe because it's free then people would tend to just download but not actually install and use it, causing a missed opt-in opportunity?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629181].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Anonymous Affiliate
    You want to opt prospects into the prospects-list before they download.

    You want opt customers into the customers-list after they purchase.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629342].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate View Post

      You want to opt prospects into the prospects-list before they download.

      You want opt customers into the customers-list after they purchase.
      IMO, precisely. Although, I never build a list by offering freebies as the incentivized offer. You will get significantly less leads, but by selling something even very nominally priced, you will be building a list of buyers and not just a ton of free loaders.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629367].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Amry
        Originally Posted by myob View Post

        IMO, precisely. Although, I never build a list by offering freebies as the incentivized offer. You will get significantly less leads, but by selling something even very nominally priced, you will be building a list of buyers and not just a ton of free loaders.
        I guess that means a $0.99 offer for list building is better than a free one, from a list owner's point of view?
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629414].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author myob
          Originally Posted by Amry View Post

          I guess that means a $0.99 offer for list building is better than a free one, from a list owner's point of view?
          If your marketing model is based on list building, even that would certainly screen out a large percentage of free loaders, IMO.

          But my marketing model is sales, with inital purchases ranging from $300 to several thousand dollars. The list building is only incidental to product sales, which results in very active lists of buyers.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629498].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Amry
            Originally Posted by myob View Post

            If your marketing model is based on list building, even that would certainly screen out a large percentage of free loaders, IMO.

            But my marketing model is sales, with inital purchases ranging from $300 to several thousand dollars. The list building is only incidental to product sales, which results in very active lists of buyers.
            I would hope to end up with a good list of active buyers. But I'm thinking of probably giving away free stuff to build up rep (and collect prospect list along the way), still thinking whether it would be better to give it for free or for a really cheap price. Not sure if freebies and reputation-building can go hand in hand with each other.

            Anyway, thanks for all your input Paul. Really appreciate them.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629663].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Amry
      Originally Posted by Anonymous Affiliate View Post

      You want to opt prospects into the prospects-list before they download.

      You want opt customers into the customers-list after they purchase.
      Yes, I was just thinking of this. I guess to have two opt-ins - before and after - would be a better solution. Thank you for your opinion.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3629403].message }}

Trending Topics