Turn any WordPress blog into a "stealth squeeze" machine with these free plugins

[Keith Kogane]

OMG - I've tried this on a couple of new blogs this past month, and compared to my previous efforts, I'm getting a HUGE response rate from this technique.

I only tried it in some pretty thin niches traffic-wise, but my opt-in conversions have nearly TRIPLED from the same traffic.

You MUST try this!

First, use this plugin to encourage people to make a comment.

WordPress plugin: What Would Seth Godin Do | Richard K Miller

This is very important - you want to push people MORE to simply COMMENT than to subscribe. This plugin shows a special message to new blog visitors on their first few visits, and then refrains from bugging them. (Note, you can also make a special message for return visitors, but I haven't used that feature yet)

Then, use this plugin, too.

Comment Prompt/Reminder • Tim Nash UK SEO Blog

This plugin will bug return users who have visited a couple of times and remind them to leave a comment if they like your stuff. It was designed based on the above plugin, but obviously behaves differently. I find these make a nice 1-2 combo to really push your visitors to commit to participating.

Next, you want to use this plugin.

Guru Consulting Services Wordpress Aweber Plugin

NOTE: Looks like Guru is updating their site and they lost this download page - the same plugin is still available from the WP repository though - get it there (link below) if the link above is down.

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/...dpress-plugin/

That allows you to automatically subscribe your commenters to your aweber list. You can put a little checkbox message so they know they are subscribing or not, but this is the real power of this method. You're getting the reader to MENTALLY COMMIT to leaving a comment, so by the time the get to this point, they're already convinced to agree to this minor step.

Now, I recommend doing a double opt-in here, and offering to give them something good for confirming in your aweber setup. If you do that, you can even mention the freebie in your agreement checkbox I mentioned above.

You'll get more confirms that way, but it's not necessary. Get everything else working before you worry about this part.

Or if you want to go balls out, do a single opt-in list.

Now, here's where you really get the cool stuff happening.

Use this plugin:

Plugin: Thank Me Later | Making the Web

This will send your commenters an email thanking them for their comment a few days after they leave it. Plus, it will invite them back to the blog. If you're doing double opt-in above, this is a great opportunity to remind them to click the link in your confirm email. Or if you are only doing single opt, just remind them about the freebie they earned.

If you are moderating all your comments, you should use this plugin too:

Comment Approved Notifier Plugin v1.1 Yakup Gövler'in Not Defteri

This one is going to send them an email once you've approved their comment. For other stuff you can tell them, see above suggestions.

That's the system as I'm using it now, and it is working FANTASTIC on my niche blogs. I haven't used the below suggestions yet, but I want to include them because I plan to incorporate them as soon as I'm able. I think it will make the method even more powerful.

First, there's this plugin:

Subscribe to Comments 2.1 Tempus Fugit by Mark Jaquith

This will allow visitors to subscribe to email updates JUST to the comments on a particular post. This is an option whenever they fill out the form. Yet another way to hook them in and keep them coming back. Of course, I will remind them of this option everywhere I can.

This is especially useful on the blogs using the method I describe in "Another Automated Blog Tactic (Even Easier Than Before)" thread (linked in my sig) - because that method involves using a plugin that will rotate my old posts on a cyclical basis, this will be sending reminders long into the future and bringing old commenters back to my blog using a context they are familiar with.

EDIT: I removed another plugin I suggested here as apparently it's broken and won't be updated. I intend to look for another plugin that will alert a returning visitor as to what posts and comments are new for them. I don't think there's a single solution (since the plugin I referenced is broken) but there are a couple of possibilities that may work. If I find any, I'll post to this thread.

-----

Anyway, I hope you wordpress bloggers find that useful. I know it's working great for me, and I'm literally grinning ear-to-ear with the list-building possibilities this presents for my little blog empire!

NOTE: the above method requires aweber, simply because that's what I use for my list building. If you don't have or don't want aweber, there are a number of other plugins that allow you to use WordPress itself as a list manager (though none I've found will do autoresponders - just broadcasts).

Check it out, and tell me what you think!

[yourreviewer]

Keith, You are simply AWESOME.

[Benjamin Eddy]

Wow Keith, great info!

I am definitely going to try this out on my WP blog. Thanks for this.

[TracyNeedham]

Other than the Seth Godin one, those are all new to me--and I have aweber. So thank you!

Tracy

[AgileHosting]

Keith, I appreciate your explanations of how each plug-in fits in to the scheme of things. I confess, I would have unintentionally overlooked a couple of them.

I'm just launching a couple of new sites so I'll give this a whirl and see how it goes.

Thank you!!

Bailey

[Rob Canyon]

Keith,

Killer info... Talk about Wordpress on steroids.

Thanks for giving so much to the WF.

Cheers,

Rob

[4morereferrals]

Now if only there was a worldwide company that would deliver the BEER I wish to buy you Keith!

You da man!

[Alex Sol]

Amazing stuff, Keith!
Some great features for a blog that I couldn't even imagine existed!

Thanks!

[Ricky Parker]

Keith,

Thank you for pointing out some of these plugins. They work GREAT with some stuff I'm working on.

This has been my most valuable thread find of the month!

[mudmat]

Woa Keith! You are always coming out with something new for wordpress blogs.. Thanks for the info!

I have tried the seth godin plugin but have never heard about the rest of the plugins. Will certainly try it!

[peter gibson]

Originally Posted by 4morereferrals

Now if only there was a worldwide company that would deliver the BEER I wish to buy you Keith!

You da man!

I wholeheartedly concur. This OP is beer-worthy for sure. Thanks Keith, this is exactly what I've been looking for and I know it will help me. You rock!!

[Scott Peterson]

Wow, thanks for the information - I've read quite a bit of the WordPress information, and I am in the process of finishing my blog.

Thanks again.
Scott

[Mint-Tree]

THUMP! Some nice list of plugins in here... but you're missing one (my newly created plugin =)... It can automatically subscribe new users every time they've successfully registered a WP account (which require them to check the email for the password ;-).

P.S. If you'd like, PM me and I'll sent you a copy to test drive/subscribe your newly registered users .

[ragnarth]

I am definitely going to try this out on my new site. Thanks.

[Vijay M]

Thanks Keith, I have no idea how you unearth these plugins, but am thankful.

Has anyone noticed a difference in their blog's performance/load time when lots of plugins have been used? I mean, does the blog tend to get slow ?

[Keith Kogane]

Originally Posted by marcus passey

Thanks I will have to try these,I have not got an autoresponder can you get one free or is awber the only one you can get.

cheers

Marcus

I wouldn't recommend any free autoresponder. Aweber and GetResponse are both cheap, and if you're actually USING them, they easily pay for themselves many times over. If you MUST do it free, there are plugins that will allow you to use Wordpress as a mailing system for members. You would need to require commenters to register though, and that's a whole separate step.

Originally Posted by Vijay M

Thanks Keith, I have no idea how you unearth these plugins, but am thankful.

Has anyone noticed a difference in their blog's performance/load time when lots of plugins have been used? I mean, does the blog tend to get slow ?

Yeah, there CAN be some slowdown if you have a lot of things that affect the front end of the blog - load lots of scripts, interact with the database on pageload, etc. There are caching plugins you can get that may help speed things up if you notice a slowdown. However, if you're on shared hosting, it's not really going to speed it up all that much. (IMHO)

Originally Posted by Mint-Tree

THUMP! Some nice list of plugins in here... but you're missing one (my newly created plugin =)... It can automatically subscribe new users every time they've successfully registered a WP account (which require them to check the email for the password ;-).

P.S. If you'd like, PM me and I'll sent you a copy to test drive/subscribe your newly registered users .

The aweber plugin I cited above actually will do that too. You can do subscribe on register, or on comment, or on both. I tend to not allow new registrants myself, so I skipped that option. The plugin USED to be for-pay. I actually paid like $10 for it at the time I got it, but it's free now, so enjoy!

[Noel2010]

Thanks for letting me know about these plugins. I'm taking a look at them now. I'll see how it works with aweber once I subscribe to them.

[magentawave]

Thanks Keith. Good stuff!

Steve

[manzilla911]

You have some good stuff Keith The King of AtoBlogs

[tommygadget]

I have GetResponse, do I need different plug-ins from the ones listed in your OP?

TomG.

[Miguel Oliveira]

Great pluggins. But the box popping up inviting users to comment won't just annoy them?

[Ronnie Nijmeh]

Awesome list of tools and plugins!! Really appreciate you sharing.

[uclaboyz]

Keith,

Thanks for the mention of my Aweber Wordpress plugin - the idea of this plugin came about when I was running a contest/giveaway blog (winner is selected from the list of commenters), so why not capture their name/email while making their comments - it built my list like crazy!

Sorry for making a "free" version of it after you have paid! Actually, the "free" version has a credit "Powered by Aweber Wordpress Plugin" attached to the footer of your blog. If you wish a refund, just let me know!

Thanks again,
Steve
Guru Consulting Services, Inc.

[Mint-Tree]

Hi Keith does it support on Aweber? What about other autoresponder services?

[uclaboyz]

Originally Posted by Mint-Tree

Hi Keith does it support on Aweber? What about other autoresponder services?

Currently only supports Aweber.

Thanks,
Steve
Aweber Wordpress Plugin

[4morereferrals]

Originally Posted by uclaboyz

Currently only supports Aweber.

Thanks,
Steve
Aweber Wordpress Plugin

JVListpro IS aWeber sorta ... Im on jvlistpro - your thoughts if your plugin can be modded to work on that aweber derivative?

[uclaboyz]

Originally Posted by 4morereferrals

JVListpro IS aWeber sorta ... Im on jvlistpro - your thoughts if your plugin can be modded to work on that aweber derivative?

I don't want to hijack Keith's thread by talking about my plugin further (plugin's support forum is here: Aweber Plugin - Help me make money online forums)

But to answer your question - looks like jvlistpro is a Aweber white label, I don't see a problem making it work with it.

Thanks,
Steve

[dean_holland]

DAAAAMMMMM

This post is EXACTLY what this forum needed brother !!

Hands down.. I salute you !

I'll be honest, Im not gunna use all of what you have mentioned but the ones I need are absolute gold !

Cant thank you enough... Keep it coming !

Dean

[toushay]

Yes sir. Me salute thou. Just read this after reading your autoblogging thread.
super.

[KathyBaka]

Keith,

Wow and Thanks,I hope I can get it working right!

Kathy

[curtroese]

Keith

Let us know when you find a plug-in that automatically prints money!

Thanks for the info.

[Andrew Maule]

Keith knows no limits when it comes to giving back to the WF community. Kudos Keith, thanks as always.

[vicone]

This plugin looks like a promising addition to the list for autoblogging - it handles RSS feed, SMS, videos and more:

Yet Another Autoblogger (YAAB) For Wordpress Is Out - [ Psypo ]

Ivan

[Keith Kogane]

Another idea - I only implemented this yesterday, and I haven't seen how it's gone yet, but basically I worded my additional copy so that the entire "system" is geared towards bribing the comment with the freebie. Basically, instead of saying "opt-in to get this freebie" it's all "leave me a comment on my blog, and get a freebie" - I think that will strengthen the system even more. This is all about removing the opposition to "subscribing" or giving your email by presenting it via an avenue people are NOT used to (or at least tying it to a task that the don't necessarily associate with that action).

NOTE: I'm not saying to be disingenuous here, in my confirmation email, I tell em that when they confirm to get the freebie, they will also get my newsletter, but can unsub at any time, blah blah blah.

Anyway, hope that helps, and to all the folks who have thanked me, you're welcome!

[Melanie Crouse]

Awesome stuff, Keith! My to-do list for today just got a bit longer!

[32paul52]

This is one of the posts i have seen on the warrior forum- the plugins focu not on traffic - but on also getting them back!

[vicone]

"leave me a comment on my blog, and get a freebie"

Asking for a different action to obtain the freebie - I think this idea has a lot of promise.

Ivan

[reliance77]

Thanks for sharing, I can truly use this information on my websites. I do hope it will make my site look very professional.

[peter gibson]

Originally Posted by Vijay M

Thanks Keith, I have no idea how you unearth these plugins, but am thankful.

Has anyone noticed a difference in their blog's performance/load time when lots of plugins have been used? I mean, does the blog tend to get slow ?

In blogger there's definitely a lag when you load it up with plugins and sidebar stuff, but for wordpress I have yet to see it slow the load time down at all.

[rodcook]

Great mind great plug in super information will send beer ups

Rod Cook

[4morereferrals]

Originally Posted by vicone

Asking for a different action to obtain the freebie - I think this idea has a lot of promise.

Ivan

Kinda having a brain cramp at the moment ... what kind of freebie might one giveaway for mere Blog Post?

[peter gibson]

Originally Posted by Keith Kogane

Another idea - I only implemented this yesterday, and I haven't seen how it's gone yet, but basically I worded my additional copy so that the entire "system" is geared towards bribing the comment with the freebie. Basically, instead of saying "opt-in to get this freebie" it's all "leave me a comment on my blog, and get a freebie" - I think that will strengthen the system even more. This is all about removing the opposition to "subscribing" or giving your email by presenting it via an avenue people are NOT used to (or at least tying it to a task that the don't necessarily associate with that action).

NOTE: I'm not saying to be disingenuous here, in my confirmation email, I tell em that when they confirm to get the freebie, they will also get my newsletter, but can unsub at any time, blah blah blah.

Anyway, hope that helps, and to all the folks who have thanked me, you're welcome!

Keith, can you let us know if you see subscribe improvements using the "freebie" method?

[Michael Forey]

You don't need both What Would Seth Godin Do and comment prompt, they are basicly the same thing. The Seth Godin gives you the ability to surpress on pages. I just use the Seth Godin one and put please subscribe to RSS feed for new users and please comment for returning visitors.

[Jeff Lawrence]

Now that is pure smarts and how awesome this place is.

[Keith Kogane]

Originally Posted by 4morereferrals

Kinda having a brain cramp at the moment ... what kind of freebie might one giveaway for mere Blog Post?

The way it works is that you can put a checkbox and some copy near your comment form. Basically [X] YES! As a "thank you" for posting a comment, I want you to email me the FREE 10 page "Report all about X"!

Or something like that. You don't give away a different item on each blog post - you offer a freebie the same way you would on any kind of site. It's just the action you're asking in exchange is different than "Subscribe and get this FREE" - instead, it's "Leave a comment and get X Free!"

Get it?

Originally Posted by Michael Forey

You don't need both What Would Seth Godin Do and comment prompt, they are basicly the same thing. The Seth Godin gives you the ability to surpress on pages. I just use the Seth Godin one and put please subscribe to RSS feed for new users and please comment for returning visitors.

I use them both because they're slightly different, and have slightly different options and presentations. You may not "need" both for what you're doing on your blog, but you need both for doing what I describe the way I describe it.

It's cool if you want to mess around and do your own thing, but my recipe calls for these ingredients. You're talking about a completely different dish.

[moneymentor]

Keith, looks like your other post was removed (Auto Blogging- Even Easier Than Before). May I get a copy?

[Maria Gudelis]

Keith - thanks a lot for sharing - I never knew about these plugins!

If you ever do a WSO offering up a trained resource of yours to 'do it for us' - so we can outsource the install of the plugins etc. shoot - i'd buy it!!!



Cheers, Maria Gudelis

[jhiggins]

Keith,

Where did your other thread go? It disappeared!

Jonathan

[newbie@CPA]

thanks for sharing!

[Teenage Genius]

Great Post! Loads of great plug-in's there and good usage.