Opt-In Carrot: Ebook OR Email Course??

[GayleT]

Hi all,

Well, I'm wondering what is best "carrot" for Opt-In form: a free ebook to download or a free email course or series. Or BOTH??

One woman told me she doesn't like the ebooks she has to download but prefers an email series she can quickly scan in her email.

I'd appreciate any info you could share!
Thank you!
Gayle

[Chris Lockwood]

You'll do better with an ebook or other download, since most people perceive that as higher value.

I think the woman is the exception- maybe she has a slow connection or something.

After giving the ebook, you can still use tips from it in your emails, like an ecourse. It reminds people that you gave them the ebook and that they should read it.

[Loren Woirhaye]

Well, many people I think will realize that they won't actually
do anything with your material, so they'll be more inclined to
download a free ebook than commit to a course which will
remind them on a daily basis that they aren't doing anything
about their problem.

A video e-course would have higher perceived value for many.

[jasonl70]

I would consider this:
leave it ambiguous in the copy & then deliver as a email course (maybe include links to a pdf of that days course). You can include some affiliate links, etc, at the bottom of the email in a 'recommended' section. This should condition them to receiving email from you.

[GayleT]

Thank you! -- Jason, Loren and Chris! You've helped clarify this for me.
I really appreciate your help...

Gayle

[BigBenForCanton]

You got a little John Madden going on in your copy there. And then BOOM! Hey now, hey now, my Brett Favre's back!!!

[garyv]

Originally Posted by Razer Rage

First of all: It's "skim", and not "scan". Scan means to study intensively.

/wombat

Second of all, why not do both?

I better "scan" the dictionary - because I thought it meant to read hastily

Anyway - why not do a split test, and see which one works better.

[mogili]

Ebook is better than email course. Ebook has some attraction which email course does not have.

I hope this helps.

[Chris Kent]

The advantage of an e-course is that people immediately get used to hearing from you.

The advantage of an ebook is a much higher opt-in rate (greater perceived value).

So long as you don't get too many unsubscribes, I'd go with the book.

[nicholasb]

I prefer giving a video or mp3, I think it is better for relationship building

although to answer your question I would go with a 7 day email course

[jasondinner]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

Well, many people I think will realize that they won't actually
do anything with your material, so they'll be more inclined to
download a free ebook than commit to a course which will
remind them on a daily basis that they aren't doing anything
about their problem.

Sad but true in many cases. Nice call

[Megas]

I find the ebook works really well for me. People do tend to perceive that as a higher value. Like getting a free book they can keep on their PC.

[Micheal Perkins]

I use a membership site that I create as my carrot. They sign up in my autoresponder and then are sent to the thank you page. Thank you page tells them to go click the confirm link to get access to the members area. Once they confirm, they get a new email with the link to the members area.

Then they find some content inside the members area. This is where you could put some information that would otherwise be in a report format. You can also start sending them an ecourse with more advanced information in the ecourse, or sell the ecourse as a weekly lesson.

You could possibly even send them some of your "advanced" information in the ecourse for free to start with, if you have a lot you can share. Then after they have received several lessons from you free, let them know that to continue receiving that information they have to pay for it.

[esr]

I put my vote in for the ebook. Even me, being a marketer myself, perceive a downloadable ebook as having higher value than an email course.

[Maria Gudelis]

Originally Posted by Micheal Perkins

I use a membership site that I create as my carrot. They sign up in my autoresponder and then are sent to the thank you page. Thank you page tells them to go click the confirm link to get access to the members area. Once they confirm, they get a new email with the link to the members area.

Then they find some content inside the members area. This is where you could put some information that would otherwise be in a report format. You can also start sending them an ecourse with more advanced information in the ecourse, or sell the ecourse as a weekly lesson.

You could possibly even send them some of your "advanced" information in the ecourse for free to start with, if you have a lot you can share. Then after they have received several lessons from you free, let them know that to continue receiving that information they have to pay for it.

Michael that is a brilliant idea, "putting a cage around your prospects" with a membership site offered for free...brands you etc. Thanks for the tip!

[IMnwxlh2]

It depends on several factors:

If your eBook is a step-by-step instruction format, you can give away the eBook for free and then upsell the Video eCourse showing them how you do it step-by-step (like watching over your shoulder)

But for complex maneouvers, such as showing how to perform a special effect in Adobe After Effects or Photoshop, I would definitely go the Video eCourse.

Norman