Need to build email list, need opinions on site

29 replies
Hi, I am trying to build an email list and I want to do that in high performance fashion. . I"m not getting a good response from my current technicques.
Currently I am offering a free tutorial video with email sign up. but I am barely getting 10% sign ups.

I want way more, than 10%. So I'm tweaking my copy to make it more compelling for them. I'm also now considering a change and would like your opinions on it before I do it.
Instead of having the current video offer in return for a sign up, I was thinking of just giving them the video without the sign up, give it to them right off the bat with NO sign up at all, just Click and Watch NOW.
Then somehow try to get a sign up after they watch that video.
anythoughts on this approach? my site is traderroboics.com if you want to check it out. But please don't sign up because I don't want this to look like a marketing trick.
thanks
John
#build #email #list #opinions #site
  • Profile picture of the author hobsdv
    your site is not loading for me
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by hobsdv View Post

      your site is not loading for me
      I'm guessing he meant to type traderrobotics.com?

      Anyway, I was about to say more, but Shaun has said it: I fully agree with all Shaun's comments above ...
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      • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        I'm guessing he meant to type traderrobotics.com?

        Anyway, I was about to say more, but Shaun has said it: I fully agree with all Shaun's comments above ...
        Since I know you're not a squeeze page fan, but agree with Shaun, is header navigation always a problem when trying to capture emails?

        I know you use homepages as landing pages, but where do you have your navigation, in the side bar, under the opt-in box, or in the header? And does it make a big difference? :confused:

        (My concern with removing the header navigation and replacing it with a sidebar one, is that it will look more as a squeeze page.)
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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          Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

          Since I know you're not a squeeze page fan, but agree with Shaun, is header navigation always a problem when trying to capture emails?

          I know you use homepages as landing pages, but where do you have your navigation, in the side bar, under the opt-in box, or in the header? And does it make a big difference? :confused:
          I don't know - I perhaps haven't tested it as much as I should have done. I've always preferred vertical navigation to horizontal, so the sidebar suits me better than "across the top". Below the opt-in but not directly below it. Part of the reason I've always instinctively preferred that, though, is the fact that I want as few other "clicking options" close to my opt-in box as possible, so as "not to distract from the banana". (Sorry, not a very helpful answer! ).
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          • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
            Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

            I don't know - I perhaps haven't tested it as much as I should have done. I've always preferred vertical navigation to horizontal, so the sidebar suits me better than "across the top". Below the opt-in but not directly below it. Part of the reason I've always instinctively preferred that, though, is the fact that I want as few other "clicking options" close to my opt-in box as possible, so as "not to distract from the banana".
            So you do it just like in your public websites, then? (The art one, and the other one where you talk about what you really talk about.)

            Now I don't want to seem very intrusive, but what can you put between the opt-in and navigation bar that isn't clickable? A photo of you? (But that would have to lead to the "About" page...) :confused:

            Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

            so as "not to distract from the banana".
            First donuts, now bananas, what will come next? (I'm thinking about how to integrate couliflowers in here, but I find them as attractive as Holly Petraeus.)
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            • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
              Banned
              Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

              So you do it just like in your public websites, then? (The art one, and the other one where you talk about what you really talk about.)
              Yes, mostly. (I don't have any opt-in on those, though, of course).

              Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

              Now I don't want to seem very intrusive, but what can you put between the opt-in and navigation bar that isn't clickable? A photo of you? (But that would have to lead to the "About" page...)
              Doesn't necessarily "have" to lead anywhere. Or another niche-relevant picture. Or a little "quotation in a box" (I like those). Or a picture of my shoes (might be kidding about that one, though) ...

              Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

              First donuts, now bananas, what will come next?
              The metaphorical banana is from Seth Godin ...
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    Your visitor-to-subscriber opt-in rate is very low for a
    number of basic reasons.

    Firstly, your page doesn't have a prominent and enticing
    headline that let's people know the massive benefits of
    signing up.

    There are too many other items competing for the attention
    and action of your visitor - especially all of the buttons and
    links in the header area.

    The copy you've used in the sign-up area does not contain
    compelling reasons to motivate people to want to join your
    list - which is why so few people can be arsed to sign-up.

    If you let people view the video before signing-up to your
    list, your opt-in rate will likely drop further especially if the
    videos are long and/or not great to watch.

    Go back to the drawing board and use a basic squeeze page
    the uses proven fundamentals like a prominent headline, an
    enticing offer and copy that motivates people to sign-up.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author researchpro
      Thanks Shaun and Alexa. One of the issues I have is that the page must serve two purposes, it must give daily video updates in order for me to get them to my site in the first place and then it also must movtivate them to sign up. So if my main headline of the page is a Sign UP headlline then they will feel as though the page is a sign up page rather than a Daily Video UPdate page which offers current info everyday.
      Any suggestions on how I can pull that off, in keeping my page a useful informative daily video update and still make it not look like a spamming trick to get them to come to my page and sign up?
      Can you tweek your suggestions to work in accomplishing those Both of those Goals?
      I think the header and buttons like you said could be removed or deemphasized though, and that wouldn't hurt either Goal.
      thanks for offering your tips
      John
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      • Profile picture of the author masterjani
        You can iframe the squeeze page at the prominent place of the video update page to attract more vistors and give valuable info from one click as well.


        Originally Posted by researchpro View Post

        Thanks Shaun and Alexa. One of the issues I have is that the page must serve two purposes, it must give daily video updates in order for me to get them to my site in the first place and then it also must movtivate them to sign up. So if my main headline of the page is a Sign UP headlline then they will feel as though the page is a sign up page rather than a Daily Video UPdate page which offers current info everyday.
        Any suggestions on how I can pull that off, in keeping my page a useful informative daily video update and still make it not look like a spamming trick to get them to come to my page and sign up?
        Can you tweek your suggestions to work in accomplishing those Both of those Goals?
        I think the header and buttons like you said could be removed or deemphasized though, and that wouldn't hurt either Goal.
        thanks for offering your tips
        John
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        • Profile picture of the author researchpro
          Thanks for all of your suggestions. The new look is uploaded. Here's what I did..
          Removed big picture header and buttons completely.
          Added Primary headline that my email offer will give them "free tutorial movies" (I wanted to be clear that they are plural movies(with an s) so they know to expect more free tutorials in the future, and therefore look for and open my emails in the future.
          I tried to create word pictures (to stick in their memory) , and tried to clarify the benefits for them.
          I changed all the multi colors of things so it doesn't look so busy and salesy.
          Please tell me if it is going in the right direction or if there are still things that bug you. What do you like about it and not like? Please share.
          thanks John traderrobotics.com
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        • Profile picture of the author researchpro
          masterjani, when you say iframe are you refering to an embedded video? Like and quickie info video for the offer? ( I not real familiar with all the terminology)
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  • Profile picture of the author researchpro
    Lucia thanks for help. traderrobotics.com is the correct link to the site.
    Navigation is rarly used I think, on my site. I can put it anywhere and make it much smaller, and I don't need the header picture much either. I am full flexible with the header and menu now, I think my sales will have to come from the back end after I get my email list, so navigation and header on the main page is virtually un important I think. No usedful at all and is definietely distracting attention from my sign up offer.
    I'm going to rework the menu and header right away, I think that was such good advice. I couldn't see the forest for the trees.
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  • Profile picture of the author researchpro
    I'm going to rework the header area this afternoon
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  • Profile picture of the author researchpro
    fyi there is a GREAT book out called Hypnotic Writing, I saw it last night and I can't wait to put it to use
    john
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  • Profile picture of the author FriendlyRob
    In my opinion, it just looks for too busy... too many large graphics.
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  • Profile picture of the author BethHewitt
    whilst i have know knowledge of your niche, I am not very clear what your site is about from just heading to your home page. A home page should make it clear and make it simple for people to understand what you have on offer.
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    • Profile picture of the author researchpro
      Beth, does it still seem unclear to you? I have made some changes. any thing big stand out (missing or not right or even good?)
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  • Profile picture of the author phowell23
    I'll be honest as that's what you want...

    I don't like your site's colors at all. It screams old HTML sites. The grey and neon green text. So no, I really don't think it's going in the right direction.

    Honestly, I would suggest buying a premium Wordpress theme for about $27-37 and redoing your site completely. You can also embed your YouTube videos into nice Wordpress themes and make it very slick.

    If you need help just PM me I've created a ton of Wordpress sites with different themes.
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    • Profile picture of the author researchpro
      phowell23, thanks for the input. The neon green is a common color for traders, because that is the color of many charting programs price bars, that's why I used that color which would remind them of trading colors. I chose the grey to tone down the busy ness , and I also was trying to emulate the John Chow site use of grey, to keep it non sales and more info looking. I"m not saying my colors are right, but that was the reasoning behind them. I find wordpress limiting on my blog, such as with putting things where you want them and having protected membership pages for logging into. I use amember now for that on my site.
      It's nice to hear what people other than me think of it though, because when you get too close to things it's hard to see the bigger picture that other people see who are not overly familiar with it.
      thanks much
      John
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    • Profile picture of the author yakim1
      Originally Posted by phowell23 View Post

      I'll be honest as that's what you want...

      I don't like your site's colors at all. It screams old HTML sites. The grey and neon green text. So no, I really don't think it's going in the right direction.

      Honestly, I would suggest buying a premium Wordpress theme for about $27-37 and redoing your site completely. You can also embed your YouTube videos into nice Wordpress themes and make it very slick.

      If you need help just PM me I've created a ton of Wordpress sites with different themes.
      I think 2.0 colors are terrible and make many things harder to read. They make me think I'm back in the fifties because those colors were used then. A wordpress theme is not needed for a simple squeeze. What this squeeze page needs is fewer images and good copy to perform.
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      • Profile picture of the author researchpro
        Thanks Steve, I don't doubt one thing you said, but I fear what many overlook is that my page is not a squeeze page (although it actually is, but I can't let visitors know that) My page is designed for repeat traffic from people I will get to know and talk with on a daily basis. The only way I can get people to come to the page is to have good fresh info every day so they will want to come back for that reason over and over, and the while they are there I try to collect their emails withouth betraying their trust as to my primary intention, which is to help them on a day to day basis.
        Most of the people on warrior forum are squeeze page specialist, rather than repeat visitor specialst. I"m sure their squeeze page tips are right on, but I can't make my site look like an squeeze page or I'll loose or damage all my repeat visitor relationships and credibilty as a friend and "coworker".
        My tactics must be subtle and helpful so that each time they come back our relationship is strengthened as opposed to weakened by annoying sales attempts. I do think the headline is key, but I have to remember they they will be reading that headline day after day after day, so I have to make it respectful and powerful and not appear as a sales line. I must compell them without damaging a friendly trusting relationship. So I have to be careful with any claims or promises. My site must appear like it's primary purpose is to offer them FREE DAILY UPDATES with NO hidden motives, and at the same time get their email . The headline suggestions are much better than mine, and I am going to work on them. The "one of a kind" part is exactly what I was trying to get accross. And I love the way you used singular and Plural "one of a kind chart video tutorials( with an s)" Which implies ongoing multiple series type tutorials.
        I've learned a lot this weekend from the pro's here. My challenge is to some how merge a sqeeze page with a repeat visitor theme. I have to build my credibilty on the same page that I make the sqeeze. Thats one reason I like John Chows site approach. Gets a lot of repeat hits and alot of email addresses but his site looks way busier than mine too. So I know there is a way and that it is possible to have plenty of content and still make good conversions for email. It's pretty awesome to get the warrior marketing specialsts takes on the site do's and don'ts.
        john
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  • Profile picture of the author wisdomoto
    To add to what others have said here:

    1. The copy of the opt-in is not great. You should have a benefit statement as the heading like "Discover the secrets that pro-traders use" be creative.

    Also the actual copy is bad. The problem here is that what you advertise is 45min long. I think that what you offer as 'bait' in your opt-in should be easily consumable. You could perhaps break it down into 4 sections of 10 minutes?

    I would also change the button text to something like "Send my free gift now" or "Give me access now". The user clicking the button is giving a command. The current button text you have is a bit....hmm.

    Finally, I would ditch the whole 'where do I put my optin on the page' and use a pop-over after 7 seconds or something. I found this increased my conversions greatly.

    I picked up a few of these golden opt-in tips from a guru whom I forget the name of now. But he does a LOT of testing on these.

    Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author researchpro
      Wisdomoto, thanks for the details.
      for the pop-over I they work better for one time visitors, but my issue is that I need people to come back day after day, so even if I had it pop up on their first visit only, I would still need it somewhere stationary for there follow up visits.
      I like your point with the 45 minutes. I was thinking that the longer the video is the more informative it is, and more worthy of an email adress. I changed it.
      thanks for taking the time to detail that stuff, it was nice of you.
      John
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  • Profile picture of the author higherluv
    First, ensure that you spell things properly.

    Next, the only way that you will get an optin rate much higher than 10% in this case is if you create a traditional squeeze page. One that is simple to view and does not have the “noise” that your current landing page has.

    Pay particular attention to creating a compelling headline (yours does not have one - it just names a feature instead of a benefit. Think “what’s in it for me regarding bottom structures?”). Your optin form for your blog is better than the one on your homepage, but even that can be improved a lot in that regard.
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  • Profile picture of the author MKCookins
    As others have mentioned take a lot of the graphics away and summarize 3 mains reasons why people should sign up to view your video.

    You can do this by creating three bullets then having a video in the center.

    Also change your colors maybe like bright red - so it is more appealing to the eye.
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  • Profile picture of the author researchpro
    At the book store today I noticed a book I read 20 years ago "Guerilla Marketing" which is the classic of classics. Still on the shelf next to the brand new books, and I thought " What a statement that is, about this author and his marketing ability" " His book still stocked at barnes and Noble twenty years later". The name "Guerilla" is ONE word that makes his book stand out for 20 years. It creates a mental image, and all the connotations of that name. Picture words have a powerfull impact I think. That's why I think "me too" marketing doesn't work, because it doesn't stand out such as "Guerilla" does. A viral video goes viral because it's different, not because it's the same. I guess it's a balance of copying what has proven to work and still try to make it unique so it stands out. The cover of his book is also now camoflauge (mispelled I'm sure), which also adds to it's "word picture" quality. The part of our mind that reads a picture is more powerful than than the part that reads words. Tapping into that image sensory I think is a powerful way to communicate, in the same way that Body language is a more powerful communicator that speaking is. Our right brain is really what we listen to and is what our emotions are more tied too.
    I appreciate all the tips in here.
    Thanks
    john
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  • Profile picture of the author MartinPlatt
    Hey researchpro!

    The opt in at the top of the page -
    "You're 2 minutes away from your First Tutorial "Bottom Structure". If I was on that page looking for trading information, I'd be saying to myself, "So?".

    Something like "Could This Simple Technique Really Make You Your First $1000 Trading?" or "Could This Dead Easy Indicator Really Prevent You Fro Losing Your Shirt?"

    You need to try to put it in terms of your visitors, not what you want to teach them. Think of it this way - if someone came along looking for information on candlesticks because they believed that it would be the best way to make money, and you told them that you had information that could make them more money, do you think they would be interested? If you told them it was "Bottom Structure" then they probably wouldn't care because they're looking for candlesticks...

    Hope that helps...
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    • Profile picture of the author yakim1
      Originally Posted by MartinPlatt View Post

      The opt in at the top of the page -
      "You're 2 minutes away from your First Tutorial "Bottom Structure". If I was on that page looking for trading information, I'd be saying to myself, "So?".

      Something like "Could This Simple Technique Really Make You Your First $1000 Trading?" or "Could This Dead Easy Indicator Really Prevent You Fro Losing Your Shirt?"
      Martin has the right idea also for you, but I wanted to show the difference in what you can do with your headlines... I used my software to score the sample headlines that Martin gave as examples...

      "You're 2 minutes away from your First Tutorial "Bottom Structure" - ( 203 )

      "Could This Simple Technique Really Make You Your First $1000 Trading?" - ( 258 )

      "Could This Dead Easy Indicator Really Prevent You Fro Losing Your Shirt?" - ( 271 )

      So you see, it's the copy and the ability for the visitor to absorb the message of the copy quickly is what Really counts.

      These headlines and maybe any headline would raise your conversion rate.

      I hope this has been helpful,
      Steve Yakim
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  • Profile picture of the author yakim1
    There is to much crap or distraction on your squeeze page. I'm surprised that it gets a 10% conversion rate. When I went to your page, which the link up above is miss spelled, It was so busy that I did not know what to focus on.

    You need a good headline like...

    Receive Guaranteed Maximum Profits By Nailing The Markets' Tops And Bottoms With The Help Of Our One Of A Kind Chart Video Tutorials!

    I don't split test any more but use a special software to score my headlines. This headline scores above average at (465). A Good headline would score above 600 and exceptional headline would score above 800.

    You would be surprised, as I was, to see headlines people are using that score in the negative numbers.

    Your squeeze page has no score because you don't have a headline.

    You could use one small image and possibly a list of benefits the subscriber would receive by getting your free videos.

    You could give your FREE video tutorials some real value to the visitor by putting some thing like this above or below your form...

    We are selling these videos here for $25. But you can get it FREE if you act now!

    The word 'here' needs to be a hyperlink to paypal so they can pay $25 if they decide that route. Basically a text order link.

    Make your squeeze page kind of plain so your message is almost instantaneous at a glance.

    I hope this is helpful,
    Steve Yakim
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